Area(s) of Interest or Expertise:
Sequential Art / Graphic Novel
My Testimony: (We encourage members to share briefly about how their faith in Christ has impacted their lives.)
From the book Sermons: The Graphic Novel
Bio: The Making of a Sermon
I attended Rosedale Bible College and Grace College and Seminary, but most of my academic background is in visual art. Such training was as diverse as animation major at the Joe Kubert School to a Master of Fine Arts degree from Vermont College of Norwich University. Specific events have informed the creation of Sermons, so this bio will flush out that side of my vitae.
After my confession of faith at a young age I explored visual liturgy. Do remember chalk drawings performed in front of the church? Sketches for Sunday bulletins led to a contract as an illustrator, for Christian Light Publications, while in secondary school. Later I did illustration work for Christian musical groups, the most recognizable being Bride’s “Silence is Madness”.
I explored the critical nature of artistic practice giving a talk at Notre Dame’s Center for Ethics and Culture, and Indiana Wesleyan University’s Midwest Scholars Conference. But that focus faded away in favor of apologetics and philosophy. In addition to private research I attended live debates with William Lane Craig vs Bishop John Shelby Spong, and the famed atheist Christopher Hitchens vs Dinesh D’Souza. Other than a stint as a youth pastor most of my leadership was in art education. But, in 2015 I started the Theological Think Tank in my home. I live in a historic Chautauqua site and the former center for the evangelical Bible Conference Movement. In Winona Lake, Indiana there is still a plethora of theology experts. Respected scholars and authors such as Brent Sandy, Andrew Knapp, Herb Bateman, Skip Forbes, John Addison Teevan, Scott Barger, etc would talk on book they published or a topic. Some meetings TTT would discuss a preselected topic. My wife, Christy, was also a major stimulus on my world view. Her devotion to personal Bible study, the Bible Study Fellowship program, and her faith commitment was a tremendous resource.
After being contingent faculty at Indiana University Fort Wayne, I slid over to Grace College. Before and while teaching the Visual Storytelling course much of my reading, and apologetics activity began to organically manifest into the sequential artwork for Sermons. My goal was to give readers from any worldview something to consider. Some narratives deliberately leave one suspended.
Blessings to you,
Don M. Swartzentruber, MFA
Dream Job: (If you could have your dream job in the comics industry, what would it be?)
Maybe a weekly comicstrip.
Focus on issues of faith.
Favorite Comic Creators:
Gary Larson, Peter Blegvad (The Book of Leviathan. I enjoyed my teacher's work; Jose Delbo, Mike Chen, Joe Kubert, etc.
Comments
Happy birthday, Don! Keep making those comics!
Hey Don, Congratulation on sending your firstborn off to Art School; exciting! Pasadena is still 300+ miles south of me, although if you're anywhere in the area come by Monterey for a cup of tea or coffee.
I noticed that we're both in the Grace Fellowship (cool!) although the fellowship of redeemed believers is far more valuable and exciting.
Hi Don,
thanks for your message. I'd love to see what you did with this idea. Do communicate with me directly: tim.thornborough@thegoodbook.co.uk
All the best
Tim
Welcome to the CCAS. Thank you for sharing both your art and your testimony. I pray that you make some great connections. There are some very gifted brothers and sisters on this site. May our gracious Lord and Savior richly bless you in the knowledge of His eternal love.
Hey Don,
I went to North Park Theological Seminary (Chicago), and Academy of Art University (San Francisco). Still in SF.
You can try that link again. I just re-published it now. I wasn't going to display my portfolio anymore, because I'm not really looking for any freelance work; but I might as well keep it up there.
Hey Don, Welcome to the CCAS site!
You have really gone deep into art philosophy and theology. Impressive gallery on your website, particularly some of the surreal pieces. Look forward to exchanging-encouraging and building each other up in our walk with Jesus and our art.
Welcome Don! I look forward to seeing more of your work!
Tom