Cultivating an embodied human life in our harried technocratic age seems to be a sizable challenge, with rapidly increasing proportions. Various cultural commentators are voicing their concerns and questions online and in print, sharing their hopes and apprehensions in the midst of accelerating technological innovations. Many offer life-hack tactics and “best life” strategies for negotiating the potentials, promises, and pitfalls within our hyper-connected social media spheres. From my limited sampling, it appears we’re each being faced with a few basic questions on a daily basis:
1) What kind of human am I becoming?
2) What effects, positive & negative, are social media & technologies having on my formation? 3) What parameters do I need to curate the life I want–a fruitful Iife to which I feel called?
If this introduction sounds a little too much like an essay, forgive the formality. I’m really trying hard to sort out what I’ve been wading through, thinking about, and praying over during the last five months of Goldenwood’s GreenHouse cohort. From our initial in-person retreat on Princeton’s campus, through two TRELLIS listening studies, to our monthly cohort Zoom sessions, breakout groups, and companioning calls: this journey has been an enriching process of slowing down and relearning how to listen. To God. To others. To my own soul. And I’ve really needed it.
I want to live my life to the fullest as a healthfully embodied human, present to whomever is before me, learning to love them well. As a visual artist who is following Christ, I also earnestly desire a deeply focused creative practice spent studying, drawing, & painting. In the spirit of the Benedictine motto “Ora et Labora,” I want to Pray and Work–and experience the fruitful integration of such a life.
To this end, I decided a few months ago to delete my Instagram account, and I haven’t missed it. I’ve found that my time for reading has grown, and I’m less anxious about comparing myself to other artists. To say the least, this has been extremely helpful for my mood and my mental health! What’s more, I also let go of a couple of memberships in national arts organizations that weren’t really serving me.
After a challenging year and a half, I’m seeking to re-establish and bolster my studio rhythms. I’m continuing to prayerfully “audit” my daily life: any distraction or encumbrance that’s unnecessary, or pulls me away from trusting in God’s presence and provision, is ripe for the cutting floor. I’m slowly slowing down and re-evaluating the shape and composition of my daily life. I’m finding it to be difficult but rewarding work, this “receiving rather than achieving.”
As an artist, I’ve been longing to find a way to connect patrons and supporters to my artwork while fostering in-person, embodied conversations in a context of “slow hospitality.” My wife Hallie, who happens to be a talented illustrator and children’s book author, has a Patreon account; she’s nimble and resourceful with this sort of online thing, and her followers and subscribers love what she offers. I’m imagining my own sort of OFFLINE Patreon:
A Patrons Fellowship:
A collective of monthly financial supporters that meets once or twice a year for a party. An unhurried gathering over fine hors d’oeuvres & wine in a home setting, enjoying relaxed conversation & refreshing fellowship (also, networking).
WITHOUT cell phones or tablets (all devices checked-in at the door).
WITH fine art on view & for sale–including gracious discounts provided to patrons based on their pledge levels.
Wrapping up with a brief presentation from me: updating patrons on career developments and upcoming projects; asking for continued prayers (& ideas/recommendations), and thanking all for their presence, participation, and support.
I tested this model of gathering one evening in 2023. Friends and supporters were invited to an artist’s Salon at the home of our church friends the Stevens. After enjoying food & drink for an hour or so, the evening culminated with Syman Stevens interviewing me about my artwork and training, my creative process, and how my Christian faith integrated with my life and work. Art was sold, which helped with an imminent study trip to Paris. Everyone present seemed to have a rich experience: new acquaintances were made and friendships were deepened. All told, it went swimmingly! Thus, I’m pretty confident this sort of communal affair would be welcomed and appreciated.
I’m pretty much planning to begin this Fellowship with a similar invitational Salon to present the concept to potential Patrons. This will likely happen by late summer or early fall of this year. Should such a collective prove fruitful, I’m open to seeing it grow to include Patrons from beyond my local region of upstate SC.
I haven’t fully worked out the structure for Patrons’ pledge levels & rewards for their support, but my friend Syman and my wife Hallie are open to processing this more with me.
Simply put, I want to revive the tradition of patronage in some small way, connecting fellow believers to the gift of the arts and the time-tested blessings of embodied fellowship. Frankly, I’m wearied by so many of our contemporary attention-seeking strategies, incessant distractions, and shallow connections. In this season of discernment, I’m yearning to be more present to the Lord and to others, led by His Spirit, and centered in a life of prayer. I’m trusting His reshaping leads to a fresh refilling of abundant joy, spilling over in wonder through my life and art.
Nathan is part of the 2026 GreenHouse Cohort. The “seed” he is cultivating: a local Patrons Fellowship in the Greenville, SC area, layering shared interests in artistic patronage with generative culture care—and embodied through hospitality & conversation.