See his work: www.instagram.com/mad.charcoal Takeaways: Art can be a powerful expression of faith. The journey of an artist often begins in childhood. Navigating the intersection of faith and creativity is challenging yet rewarding. Marriage and family can significantly influence an artist's work. Passion and dedication are key to developing artistic skills. Art should reflect both darkness and light to convey deeper meanings. Representing Jesus in art requires careful consideration of theology. Nature can serve as a profound source of inspiration for artists. Art can facilitate meaningful conversations about faith. The impact of art can transcend belief systems and touch hearts. Art can bypass analytical barriers and reach the heart. The Holy Spirit's influence in creativity is often unrecognized. Artists may not fully control the interpretation of their work. Daily scripture reading can transform one's perspective. Community is essential for accountability and growth in faith. Stewardship of talents is a responsibility given by God. Social media can be addictive and distracting. Delayed gratification leads to deeper fulfillment. It's important to cut off distractions that lead to sin. Trusting God with emotional struggles is crucial for growth. Summary In this conversation, Nathan Presley and artist Mad Charcoal, also known as Josh Hernandez, explore the intricate relationship between art and faith. They discuss Josh's journey as an artist, the influence of his family and marriage on his work, and the challenges of representing spiritual themes in art. The dialogue delves into the importance of balancing darkness and light in artistic expression, the theological implications of depicting Jesus, and the transformative power of art in fostering spiritual conversations. Throughout the discussion, they emphasize the significance of finding inspiration in both faith and nature, highlighting how art can serve as a profound medium for exploring and expressing one's spiritual journey. In this conversation, Nathan Presley and Mad Charcoal explore the intersection of art, faith, and community. They discuss how art can serve as a form of worship, the role of the Holy Spirit in creativity, and the importance of community and accountability in spiritual growth. They also delve into the challenges of navigating social media and technology in a faith-driven life, emphasizing the need for stewardship of talents and the value of delayed gratification in personal and spiritual development. Chapters 00:00 The Role of Art in Faith 08:32 Creating Meaningful Artwork 11:04 The Challenge of Representing Jesus 13:37 The Depth of the Crucifixion 16:13 Theological Reflections on Art 24:06 The Nature of God and Artistic Expression 26:46 Finding Inspiration in Darkness 29:18 The Role of Faith in Creativity 31:48 Transformative Power of Art 34:37 Art as a Medium for Spiritual Connection 38:32 The Influence of the Holy Spirit in Creativity 41:32 Spiritual Practices and Community Engagement 48:31 Navigating Community Challenges 50:47 The Role of Art in Faith 51:55 Understanding Ambition and Stewardship 58:09 Transforming Technology Use 01:07:37 Spiritual Growth and Delayed Gratification 01:17:07 NEWCHAPTER Keywords art, faith, creativity, Mad Charcoal, spiritual journey, artistic expression, marriage, inspiration, representation of Jesus, darkness and light, art, worship, Holy Spirit, creativity, spiritual practices, community, accountability, stewardship, social media, personal growth Chapters (00:00:01) - Mad Charcoal(00:03:32) - How Did God Become Real to Me?(00:09:43) - "It's Like a Covid Pressure Cooker"(00:10:06) - How Old Are You When You Get Married?(00:11:05) - The Secret to Creativity(00:13:38) - Catholic Artist Dazzles With Drawing At Church(00:18:06) - "Going for It"(00:19:02) - The Art of Painting A Jesus(00:24:45) - The Dark Side of Your Work(00:26:42) - How To Get Inspired To Make a Work(00:29:52) - Rethinking Reading the Bible(00:34:47) - "The Art of Fear"(00:38:26) - Does the Holy Spirit Play a Role in the Creative Process?(00:39:42) - The Artist's Place in the Meaning of Their Work(00:41:20) - 5 Spiritual Practices That Have Been Valuable to My Life(00:43:47) - Josh on His Church Life(00:47:27) - Biggie on Small Group(00:51:31) - Ambition and Its Relationship with God(00:57:09) - A Lesson on Fear(00:57:54) - Purity on Social Media(01:03:07) - How to Stop Watching TV(01:05:52) - Christopher Nolan Doesn't Have A Cell Phone(01:07:31) - Top 3 Spiritual Advice For Your 20 Year Old Self(01:10:21) - Is There a Spiritual Call You're Being Called To?(01:13:42) - Josh McDowell's(01:15:40) - Praying for Nathan's Creativity