Welcome to The Saint

Hello there, reader.
I hope you haven't been kept waiting long. I see that the last and, in fact, only post made to this blog was nearly a year ago. That is a terrible shame and you have my most sincere apologies. The management 'round here had all the highest of intentions when it came to getting this blog a-rollin'. However, as I'm sure that you are aware, rarely do intent and outcome coincide.
As it is always preferable to light a candle instead of cursing the darkness, I have decided to commandeer this verbal outpost of Saint Schizophrenia Studios.

My name, in its most elaborate form, is The Amazing Tumnus. You, however, may simply call me Tumnus. You may be familiar with that name from another place and I will admit, it is a sobriquet that I have bestowed upon myself. However, I and my namesake share nothing else, save perhaps a fondness for umbrellas.

It is my distinct pleasure to be your host through the world which is Saint Schizophrenia Studios (henceforth known as "The Saint").

We are a small collective of artists who are also followers of Christ. It is our conviction that the attendant relationship with God in Christ, is active and involves actual relating to the Creator and Sustainer of all things. Simply put, we talk to Him and He talks back. We also are well convinced that God is looking to build or strengthen this same type of relationship between Himself and every other person on the planet.

To this end, he has employed those to whom he is already speaking to pass His intentions along. For far too many years there has been a glaring misconception that this message had been left to be delivered solely by special men in special suits on special days. We here at The Saint don't buy this. Not in the least.*

In fact, we are certain that God is using all sorts of folks and all sorts of methods. He might be using the sharp dressed preacher, but he's also speaking through the paint-splattered artist, the scruffy-chinned musician, the melancholic-poet and even the temperamental filmmaker.** And that's why we here, to use our inclinations to pass on the voice of God, whether it be words of spiritual encouragement or correction or just to show off the beauty of his Creation.

However. in light of the understanding that most have about the nature of so-called Christian art, there are a few clarifications that we need to make. First, we do not subscribe to the notion that art made by the children of God must be safe, mild, pleasant or accessible by the entire family. Truth is not always cuddly and suitable for decorating nursery walls. We seek to tell the truth with our work even if that makes nice people uncomfortable.

Secondly, we don't jive with the idea of the Christian ghetto. Jesus junk made for Jesus' people has done great deals of damage to the message of the Kingdom as well as propagate some incredibly substandard art and music. While we are not to be of the world, we are supposed to be in it, and that means the clubs and the galleries where all the other artists are. And that is where you will find us.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, we feel compelled to make this abundantly clear: We do not like the work of Thomas Kinkade.

As far as introductions go, I believe that is sufficient for now. My thanks to you reading thus far and I hope you drop by again. On behalf of Sean Matthew Howard and the rest of Saint Schizophrenia Studios, I bid you adieu.

Affectionately yours,

Tumnus

*Although, I am a man who loves a fine suit.
**Okay, we're sure that he's using dentists, school bus drivers and soccer moms too, but here at The Saint, we're artists so that's kinda what we know.