The interconnectedness of art, faith, and daily life
Written by Sophia Conway
As artists, we need to ask God what he wants us to do or create and listen for an answer. Our work should be honouring to him and we should be good stewards of what he has given us (whether it be time, money, relationships, tools, resources, or a space to create in).
Whatever the end results of our creative processes are, there’s always an opportunity to give God the glory for the giftings and passions he’s given us, and to seek to witness to his transforming work in our lives when we engage with our creative communities. Really, being an artist and a Christian is no different than living out our faith in any other area of our lives.
I find it easy to lose myself in creative projects, but I’m learning to remember that I am first and foremost God’s child, and then a wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. Without these bigger roles, I wouldn’t have the inspiration and passion for the arts. These relationships and responsibilities bring me character growth, a new perspective, life experience, support, love, motivation, knowledge, and so much more—filling my cup so that it overflows into my art.
Dreams like Yeats
By Sophia Conway
I have spread my dreams, W.B. Yeats utters, tread softly
Walk carefully, and guard each step ahead.
I utter the same words to this house, our home
Becomes a church shadow as each day turns over,
Light and day falling and rising around as I haunt
The threshold here.
The hopes and requests I murmur fuse with the old
Wood and new paint becoming one; a house of
many dreams, and soon a life of many
Colours if I have my way.
I hear each desire whispered back in the stillness of the
Endless nights; echoes and mutterings, a flurry
Of prayers, clutching at meditations.
This home filled with wishes deeper than a wishing well.
My endless pleading becomes this shrine’s endless bell.
As a younger poet, I wish someone had told me to trust God’s process and the Holy Spirit’s leading in my work. I used to get so caught up with what the larger industry was doing or what the big names in the art world were saying. But who better to lead a creator in their craft than the great Creator? It would have given me a lot more peace and confidence if I had realized this early on.
In my own creative journey, I’m preparing to publish my debut poetry chapbook with Alabaster Leaves Publishing in early 2025. It contains a collection of poems I wrote during my journey to motherhood and touches on the topics of miscarriage, grief, pregnancy, hope, faith, the arrival of my son, and my identity as a mother.
Poetry was an escape for me during those times and a way of processing what I was feeling and experiencing. Even though there’s a part of me that worries about being so vulnerable and raw about my experiences, I also want to share honestly so that other women don’t feel alone, and to give glory to God for what he has carried my husband and I through. He has been so faithful, and we rejoice in the gift he has given us in our son, Finnian.
Sophia Conway (www.sophiaconway.ca) is originally from Ireland, now residing on Vancouver Island with her husband and infant son. She’s a full-time mom, working part-time as a local art gallery manager and serving in various roles at her church. During her son’s nap times, she enjoys creating mixed-media pieces, eating cinnamon buns with her husband, and walking on the beach. Her poetry has appeared in The Hong Kong Review, Origami Poetry Project, Ribbons Journal, Blithe Spirit Journal, and others.