A selection of art created by kids became covers for the new Blacknall Arts’ album, “From the Dead.”
During Blacknall Kids’ Art Camp last summer, our campers practiced kintsugi, a Japanese art form that traditionally uses gold to rejoin pieces of broken pottery. With ripped pieces of paper and a variety of paint, our kids created their own form of kintsugi that became the cover art for singles from “From the Dead,” as well as the album cover. Director of Music & Worship Wen Reagan noted how the reconstruction of torn apart paper connected with the album’s resurrection theme. “That’s the beating heart of the album,” he said.
Claire Hoover’s art
With shades of green accented by red and gold, Claire Hoover created a piece that ultimately became the cover art for the single “Practicing Resurrection” thanks to the song’s ecological themes. Inspired by tie-dye, the project began for the 6-year-old as a fun way to paint in a new style.
As she placed painted strips of paper over a gold background to show the artwork’s “cracks,” she imagined a cross broken into pieces.
“It was good and exciting” to have her artwork become part of the album, she said.
Anna Cenezy’s art
During Art Camp, member Liz Shively helped campers discover how kintsugi can make something like pottery or a painted picture even more beautiful than its original form. Each piece of art served as a reminder that sometimes things break or we make mistakes, but God sees us, loves us and delights in us — broken bits and all. Like a kintsugi artist, God makes all things new.
“God can fix our hearts,” said 7-year-old Anna Cenezy, whose artwork became the cover for “The Lord Who Lives to Save” with its reds, pinks, and blues.
“It was very beautiful to think of, so I used all my artistic skills and it made me feel really good inside,” Anna said. “It feels really, really good to be part of the album. I bet I’m going to listen to it a lot.”
About “From the Dead”
With songs of praise, reflection, and adoration, a new album from Blacknall Arts is set to celebrate the heart of the Christian story: Jesus Christ is risen, and new life is breaking through. The collection includes original works, hymn retunes, and even a classic Wendell Berry poem set to music. Across its rich variety, one theme resounds: Christ is the firstfruits from the dead, and we are drawn with him into new life. From the Dead will release on June 3.
Learn more about releases featured on “From the Dead” and hear the songs: