I don't get to do many exhibitions but they may increase in the future and will be posted here. Averaging one square inch an hour means I don't get to do a lot of work!
My last exhibition was with Doug McMasters at 'Trinity Road Chapel' in London, UK on February 20th and 21st 2009 in the Paterson Room. They have a wonderful coffee shop too café 207.
Doug and the team (Stuart, Barney,
Dave, Gareth and all) extended to me a warm welcome
and we did a two day evangelism art exhibition in the
Paterson room. It was a great time with great
conversations with visitors about art, the world,
their lives and Jesus and the gospel. Doug came up
with the title for my Saturday afternoon talk
'My Failures in Art' which was my
catalogue of disasters of 'Nearly Making It'. It was a
title aptly chosen and reflects greatly on God's
sovereignty, not just over the world, but over my life
in particular and my work life. Here is a link to a
similar talk (mp3) on 'My Failures' from a
previous exhibition at Ross on Wye Baptist church that
is also on my Biog page.
Above are photos of me talking with some of the people who visited the exhibition. Some of the conversations I had were quite long and in depth. Covering aspects of the way I work and what some of the paintings are about. Right through to the gospel of Jesus and the need for repentance and faith in Jesus for our sins and what living for Christ in this world entails.
Top left viewing the Eric Clapton paintings. This led to a conversation of how God gave the gift of music (see Genesis 4:21) and how the arts are a great gift from Jesus (read about Bez and Olli, Exodus 31 and 35&36) and it all points to him. Just like you know that to have a painting you have to have an artist, so there has to be a creator to have a creation around us. The middle image above is from 'The Mission' set of illustrations and top right is from 'The Purple Veil' which cover multiple aspects of a life lived in sin and it's effects and the daily Christian life.
It was a real privilege to go and share with Doug and all the folks at TRC and everyone who came and listened to me waffle about my work. The exhibition came about from meeting Doug, Stuart, Barney and Dave at an evangelist's conference in 2008 and Doug asked if I could come and work with them. The beauty of the weekend was they were all a great blessing to me. To sit with them all and chat about Jesus and life was fantastic. It really brought to life Paul's words in Romans 1:12;
"that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine"esv
And as much as I went to serve and give to them, the McMasters and all at TRC really gave to me and encouraged me.
Doug, Royale and their boys once lived in my home town of Stoke on Trent. For them (they did ask) I took some of our 'oatcakes' down to subject some of our southern friends to what it is like to eat a wash leather wrapped around bacon and sausages!
I also got the chance to go and be part of a street preaching team in London's Leicester square on Friday evening with 'Operation 5:13' and a few churches who work together to get the gospel out to the masses! What a great night. That is Rob on the chair below in Leicester Square. What a dude.
Also got the 'Spurgeon Tour' by Doug. Went past his earthly home and the TRC church was planted with Spurgeon's help. At the right is my drawing of Charles Haddon Spurgeon that is now in the collection of the McMasters. Doug asked me to preach in his Church too which was an immense privilege and here is the mp3 of 'Devoted'. from Acts 2:42 and 2 Timothy chapter 3.
Here is a shot of me delivering the
talk 'My Failures In Art'. If you would like to book
me for an exhibition or to talk to your group or
church then please contact me to discuss your
requirements.
Photo's courtesy Doug McMasters and Billy's own.
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