{"product_id":"9781532634536","title":"Artistic Alchemy","description":"Bazyn's poems seek to encourage Christians of all stripes to present a new song unto the Lord--by actual example and useful advice. All sorts of issues relating to creativity are touched upon, whether theological, psychological, sociological, philosophical, linguistic, or autobiographical.\u003cp\u003eAmong the topics covered: finding your own voice; reading widely and deeply in the classics; being spare, concise in your style; discovering your genuine self beneath its assorted masks; taking occasional flights of fantasy; considering your mind as a house of memory; perfecting your art, even in a miniature way.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCelebrating your mentors--among the authors are Dickinson, Donne, and Hafez; reflecting on your past by looking at old photographs; drawing inspiration from home and family; not allowing overly critical editors to stifle your creativity; recognizing that the artistic life may be a lonely and perilous journey toward fulfillment; seeking after God's will in all that you do; never being afraid to head into deeper waters; acknowledging that we are, at best, half-converted souls.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBlack-and-white photos by the author illumine the themes of these pieces. Also, there is a bibliography of recommended readings on creativity. Go, and find your voice; then let it rise up to the Lord night and day.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"\"I like Bazyn's writing and photography very much indeed. What impresses me most is the imaginative energy that he brings to the task.It is amazing!\"\"\u003cbr\u003e--Leland Ryken, Author ofA Complete Handbook of Literary Forms in the Bible\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"\"I am astonished and delighted at the way Bazyn brings together spirituality, culture, philosophy, myth, and storytelling--along with captivating photos--to light up the meaning of words and phrases, and life itself.\"\" \u003cbr\u003e--Michael Leach, co-editor of The Way of Gratitude: Reflections for a Joyful Life\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eKen Bazyn is long-time editorial director of Religious Book Club. He has written The Seven Perennial Sins and Their Offspring and Soul-Wrestling: Meditations in Monochrome. His articles have been published in forty periodicals, from Commonweal to Dialog, and his photographs have appeared in forty-five magazines. Bazyn's two previous books of poetry are Gospel Midrashim: Poems on the Life of Jesus and Jesting Angels: God's Lighter Side; his poems have appeared in sixteen little magazines.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Resource Publications (CA)","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47058630213872,"sku":"9781532634536","price":37.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9781532634536_p0.jpg?v=1763741987","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781532634536","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}