Drawing Closer: Art, Faith, and Reflection

 Last night, I was truly blessed to share a meal and enjoy some great fellowship with brothers who are doing their best to follow Christ. There’s something powerful about being around men humble enough to admit they don’t have it all together and who look to God for direction. I love that heart.

After we ate and had some meaningful conversations, I got home and felt the urge to draw. So after a little more talking, I picked up my pen and got to it.

Drawing Practice—James Love. The Love Trollinger Initiative LLC. (c) 2025. All rights reserved.

While I was drawing, I wasn’t just thinking about the practice itself. I used a drawing book my high school art teacher gave me as a reference. As I worked, I focused on the relationships between lines, light, and shadow—asking myself, What’s the relationship here? instead of Am I getting this perfect?

I found myself getting lost in the sound of the pen scratching against the paper. I got so into it that I just went with the flow, making all kinds of random marks and even creating my own character from scratch. It reminded me of something I once heard—what’s the point of learning to communicate visually if you can’t produce an original vision instead of copying someone else all the time? That wasn’t the exact quote, but it stuck with me.

This morning, along with wanting to make it a great day with my lady, I woke up determined to stay creative. Lately, my creative energy has been flowing through social media, photos, writing, and speaking. I was reminded of a piece I created around October 2019.

“Untitled (Pure Vision)” by James Love. The Love Trollinger Initiative LLC. (c) 2025. All rights reserved.

Reflecting on this piece reminded me how impactful and powerful it is to articulate your vision—whether through words, art, or speech. It challenges us, encourages us, and helps us grow. My vision isn’t perfect, but I aim to see with the purest vision—like the eyes of a child. Not naive, but fearless and honest. To like what I like, to create what I create, to love myself and my family, to love my friends—with no evil, no darkness. Eyes of Christ. Mind of Christ. Eyes that are pure, a heart that is pure—one that will see God.

I’m grateful for these recent bursts of creative energy and the space to flow freely. Of course, I have my challenges. My mom is still battling her condition, and I’m constantly working to balance what I see as my ministry with my relationships—being a new creature while facing reminders of old ways. It’s not easy, but by faith, I will succeed.

Today, I feel hopeful, inspired, and ready to create good moments, memories, and things.