Tomorrow marks the first day of Advent, a Christian observance that marks the four Sundays before Christmas.  It is a season of preparation that refers to both the birth of Jesus as well as the second coming of Jesus.  It is a time to quiet our hearts and minds - to wait in anticipation.  This year, as I put up the Christmas tree, I asked myself the point of all this Christmas "stuff" (meaning: trees, decorations, baking, presents, etc)... did any of this matter?  And more importantly, for me, does any of this actually have to do with the reason I profess to celebrate Christmas?  

We have so many demands for our time.  Ironically, the weeks before Christmas are often filled with endless to-do lists, outings galore, credit-expanding purchases and much obligation in it all.  How can I quiet my heart and mind when I'm so busy "doing" that I don't have a moment to just "be".  Even in the best intentions to spread love and Christmas cheer, I feel overwhelmed with all that I had hoped to do and realize that it'll take me until June to get it all done.  And as I strive to simplify the season I observe the world getting madder still and I feel all the more pressure.  What has this season become?  

I was bracing myself for the first holiday commercial to make its appearance and guess when it first aired... October.  Yep, October.  But stores had long before cleared their seasonal shelves to make room for boxes of Christmas lights and trees.  Oh, I'm supposed to call it a holiday tree now, aren't I?  And we can't forget Black Friday, a day of super sales that has people stooping to new lows as they literally fight one another to get a good deal on a new television.  I'm pretty certain that if there are people being trampled to death in order to get a good deal, it's safe to say that we aren't celebrating "Christmas".  What happened to "peace on earth, good will to men"?  

I have wrestled with Christmas for quite a few years now, trying to reconcile traditions with what I think actually matters - and I keep finding myself asking, "What does this have to do with Jesus"?  I have this feeling that if we all put away the trees and the tinsel, put our wallets back in our pockets, did away with the fairy tales, cast off all obligation and made time for advent - for actually preparing our hearts - we'd start to see Jesus in the season a whole lot more.  I fear that we've created too many distractions and we say He's the reason for the season but our busyness says otherwise.  And if we remove Jesus from Christmas then what on earth are we celebrating?  

Two years ago a friend had forwarded me the following video, a movement working against commercialized, consumeristic Christmas.  It is as relevant as ever.  Just to be clear, I do not believe that Christmas trees, decorations, baking, sending cards and gifts, parties and all the rest are inherently bad - I partake in them all.  I hope that you see that it all has to be entered into with the proper motivation.  Why are we putting up the tree?  Why are we shopping?  And have we created space to enjoy this season of anticipation?  

I am writing this today for myself more than anyone else.  I want to figure out a way to slow down in the midst of the hustle and bustle (which, frankly, is one of my big life goals) of the season, making sure that my heart is still. My to-do list is still long but I will check in with my heart with each task, resetting my focus.  And most importantly, I need to carve out more time to reflect and meditate on the miracle of Christmas - the astonishing, mind-blowing love of a God who saw us in need and came down to save us from ourselves.  For this is Christmas. 

Foxy Loxy is a test in patience!  However, as slow as the process continues to be, I am pleased with how he is coming along and am choosing to trust the process.  It simply can't be rushed and this is a great lesson for me in our "fast food" culture.  My usual pattern is to start a project and neglect everything else until it is finished.  I am not doing that this time and it has been a refreshing pattern change.  Each work period I begin by taping off the next layer to be painted, making sure that I cover any existing paint in its path.  It is time consuming but I am getting the clean lines that I want and I simply wouldn't be able to do this freehand.  And after 3-4 coats I peel off the tape (which is extremely gratifying - what is it about peeling off tape or the plastic on a new screen that makes you feel like you've accomplished something deeply satisfying?!  Humans are odd.)  Let dry, clean brushes, start mixing paint for the next layer, and repeat! 

Some changes in plans kept me away from Foxy Loxy longer than expected but I was surprised to find that my first masking tape application wasn't a bust.  The room where the sculptures are kept is right off the pool so I expected to find all the tape to have fallen off but somehow the humidity actually helped secure it!  Right on!  (Wow, not sure if I've ever used that expression before, but I like it.)   : - )

I knew that the process would be slow but he's coming along.  It will require taping and painting (about 3-4 coats for the yellows), letting these dry and repeat with the next colour.  It's good to have a plan of attack and have the "big picture" in mind, but the secret to not becoming overwhelmed is sticking to that plan!  (A note to self as I begin to become overwhelmed with how much there is to do!)  

I don't think I've ever shared my work in progress, certainly not as I'm working on it, so this is a rather vulnerable but fun exercise for me!  This summer I loved seeing the progress of the artists in residence and I discovered that many artists feel a little self-conscious about showing their work before it's complete.  But there was so much value for me to see them at work and such a delight to finally see the polished pieces.  I do confess I took a peek at the other foxes in progress and they are looking fantastic!  

My favourite album of the moment is "Run Wild. Live Free. Love Strong." by the amazing group, "For King and Country".  And the title track, "Run Wild" is on repeat these days wherever I go - definitely speaking loudly to me.  The power of music is undeniable in my life and I love to take the auditory art and interpret it in a visual way.  Quite often as I listen to music I will also "see" it in images and I am becoming more intentional in carving out the time to create the works that come to mind - even if it's simply a quick sketch.  The more I surrender to these ideas the more freedom I feel - it's one way for me run wildly in the direction of the person God created me to be.    

"Run Wild"
Mixed Media
Erin Stinson 2014

"Run Wild"
(For King and Country feat. Andy Mineo)

Are the walls to lock you in or to keep others away
And if the doors were to be opened would you leave or would you stay
The comfort of your misery you cherish dearly, you cherish dearly
And you haven't started dreaming ‘cause you’re still fast asleep, you’re fast asleep

But don't you want to
Run wild, live free
Love strong, you and me

You’re a lion full of power who forgot how to roar
You’re an eagle full of beauty but you can’t seem to soar
Will you return to the garden where we were first made whole
Will you turn to the one who can liberate your soul

But don't you want to
Run wild, live free
Love strong, you and me
Run wild, live free
Love strong

To every soul locked in a cage
In the prison of your past mistakes
No, there's no time left to waste
Yeah, you can make your great escape
We’re made to run wild, run wild, run wild
We’re made to run wild, run wild, run wild

Run forest, all depends what direction
Some people run from fear, some from their own reflection
Some people run their mouth, some people run their house
Ruling with the heart of a tyrant
Some people run their block, bust shot with a 4-4-5 and
That’s the environment, how we were raised
Living like lions but trapped in a cage
Back to a mine gold day with the blood of a king but the heart of a slave
Don’t you wanna run

We’re made to run wild, run wild, run wild
We’re made to run wild, run wild, run wild

If your soul’s locked in a cage
You can make a great escape
We’re made to run wild, live free
Love strong, you and me

Last month I submitted a proposal for "The Miquwahkesis Project", where artists were asked to design artwork for fibreglass fox sculptures that will be installed along a public path.  (Note: Miquwahkesis is the word for "red fox" in Cree.)  I am thrilled to have been among those chosen to participate in this public art installation!  Now comes the challenge of taking my 2D design and translating it to the 3D sculpture.  

I began on Monday, acquainting myself with my new fox friend, who I have affectionately named, "Foxy Loxy".  There were challenges I expected and others that I had to troubleshoot before I begin painting later this week.  My design has many layers so careful planning is a must.  I'll be sharing the journey over the next couple of months as Foxy Loxy becomes dressed up in my design.  I am looking forward to seeing the other selected artists at work too - the designs I've seen are wonderfully eclectic.  What a great time to be part of the growing art community in Fort McMurray!  

P.S.  The red fox is a well-loved photography subject of mine.  Here are three of my favourite images: