JaZzArt en València

This is a very special edition and you will see and understand it as you read through the words of our very special guest today, Willie Torres. I have been enjoying his blog, Being Crazy for Christ and you might have been too, for several months now and I can tell you it is interesting, informative and fun.

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WILLIE TORRES

I am William «Willie» Torres, a Christian writer whose faith has profoundly shaped both my life and my work. I often describe myself as a «toddler Christian» because I came to faith in 2017, and my journey with God has been one of growth, learning, and discovery. Through this journey, I’ve witnessed God’s hand in my life in ways I never could have imagined. Through my writing, I share my personal testimonies, struggles, and the lessons I’ve learned, with the hope of inspiring and encouraging others on their own faith journeys.

Over the years, I’ve worked hard to become a better man, husband, father, and friend. I’ve come to cherish the small moments of connection that come from relationships, understanding their significance in these challenging times. My writing reflects my belief that God is with me through every trial, offering hope, redemption, and healing. I aim to share this hope with others through my words.

Much of my writing is inspired by the Holy Spirit. I write about the trials I’ve faced and how God has helped me overcome them. Through this journey, I’ve discovered the power of forgiveness and have been able to restore relationships that once seemed broken. I’ve realized that my writing is a platform to offer encouragement, share God’s love, and strengthen others in their faith.

I also embrace new technologies, such as AI, to create visuals that complement my stories, making them more engaging for my readers. One of my creations, Leo the Lion, has become popular on my WordPress site, and I’m grateful for the inspiration God has given me to bring this character to life.

I’m the author of two books: The Latter Times of Being Crazy for Christ and Take Me Out With the Crowd, both available on Amazon, GoogleBooks, Barnes & Noble, and ChristianBooks.com. Although I struggle with self-doubt, I’m committed to continuing my writing. My hope is that my work will not just be read but that it will inspire and change lives, helping others see God in a new light. I’m currently working on four more books, with plans for their release soon.

For me, writing is an act of worship—a way to use the gifts God has given me to glorify Him and share the love, strength, and peace I’ve received through Christ. I’m thankful for the opportunity to share my story with the readers of JazzArt en Valencia, and I hope my words will inspire others to grow in their faith and experience the transformative power of God’s love.

Be Blessed and Be a Blessing

Willie Torres Jr. 

WILLY’S INTERVIEW

1) You prepare beautifully crafted posts with very positive images and a powerful message. What are your plans for your writing?

When it comes to my writing, my plans are simple yet profound. I start with prayer. Most of what I write comes from the struggles, trials, and testimonies of my own journey. I sit at my desk in my home office space and begin talking to God. Some may wonder about prayer and faith, but for me, there is no better person to lay my burdens down with than God, the one who can help me through it all.

I gave my life to Christ in 2017, after a difficult period in my life. It was through a dark time and deep depression that I finally surrendered to Him and let Him take control. As I began learning to pray and open up to God, I asked Him about my childhood and the birth defects and imperfections I was born with. I had so many questions. And in response, He said, “Willie, grab a paper and a pen.” From that moment on, my writing became a way to communicate with Him—a kind of prayer diary, if you will.

I’ve realized that this is my calling: to share with others that I am just like everyone else, struggling through life’s challenges. Some days more, others less, but I know now that I’m never alone in it. Through my writing, I want to offer hope, reminding readers that in Christ, there is a greater life filled with joy, peace, and purpose. While we are not free from problems, we can find comfort in knowing God is always with us.

My goal is to bring joy to others, because that’s what God gives to me. If even one person reads my words and feels inspired to pray or draws closer to God, then I know my purpose is fulfilled. To God be all the glory and praise—our calling is to share the truth and make disciples of all nations.

So to summarize and answer your question in one or two sentences, what are my plans for my writing? My plans are to make people smile, bring a sense of hope to someone who can relate to my story, and if they question their faith or question God, know that He knows you, He hears you, He knows your heart, and believe it or not, He loves you. If He can love a sinner, a wretch like me who was and is undeserving of His love, mercy, and grace, then He can easily love you.

2) Do you believe that writers (poets, artists et cetera) should engage in political discourses and proffer public opinions about community and world affairs?

I can only answer this question from my personal perspective and as a Christian. I typically avoid discussing politics because it often leads to conflict and division. No matter what, someone is always going to disagree. In fact, I recently lost a friend—someone I’ve known since high school in 1986—because of politics. The strange part is, I never even told him who I was voting for. We joked around about it at times, but never truly discussed any presidential candidates. I suppose that’s why we have secret ballots—to avoid the conflicts that can arise from such discussions.

However, as I grow in my faith, I’ve come to understand Scripture more deeply. As a Christian, I now believe that writers, poets, and artists have a unique platform and responsibility to engage with the world around them, including political and social issues. God has gifted each person with talents and a voice, and I believe these gifts should be used to reflect His truth, love, and justice.

In Scripture, we see many examples of people standing up for what is right and speaking out against societal injustices. Prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah in the Old Testament called attention to the moral decay of society and the oppression faced by the poor. In the New Testament, Jesus spoke out against the corruption of religious leaders and the systems that oppressed the people. As Christians, we are called to be the salt and light of the world (Matthew 5:13-16), which includes using our voices to speak against injustices that go against God’s will for justice, mercy, and love.

That being said, it’s important to approach these conversations with wisdom and humility. We should ensure our words and actions align with God’s truth, speaking in love rather than anger or division. Our goal should be to bring people closer to God’s will, not to stir up hatred or further division.

So, yes, I believe Christian writers, poets, and artists should feel called to engage in these important conversations, but always with the aim of glorifying God and offering hope, truth, and reconciliation through their work.

3) What is the role of religion in the creative arts?

Religion plays a vital role in the creative arts, especially for Christian writers like myself. My writing is deeply influenced by my faith, and I see it as a way to communicate with God. I begin each piece with prayer, sharing my thoughts and struggles with Him, seeking His guidance and insight. Through my writing, I express my journey, my challenges, and the lessons I’ve learned in my walk with God.

For me, writing is not just an artistic expression, but a form of worship. It’s a way of using the gifts God has given me to share His truth, love, and justice. As I continue to grow in faith, I feel called to address societal issues, offer hope, and encourage others to reflect on their own relationship with God. Writing allows me to engage with the world, offering a Christian perspective on the struggles we face while pointing to the hope and redemption found in Christ.

Ultimately, the role of religion in my creative work is to glorify God and bring others closer to Him. Through my words, I hope to offer comfort, truth, and encouragement, reflecting God’s love in every message I share. What is most important, though, is that I cannot take credit for this gift. It has been hard for me to learn, but I must remember that God has guided me to write—not only as an answer to my struggles but also as a message to someone else. If any of my work reaches another person, it’s His glory alone that should be praised. I still struggle with insecurity and discouragement in my writing. I often feel that my work isn’t good enough, but I have to remind myself that it’s God’s work, not mine. I must continue to trust His guidance and press forward in the calling He has placed before me, knowing that His purpose is greater than my doubts

These are the links to his books on Amazon…

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7FBZT4B?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_0RKXTMWXS83D34GYQJPZ&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_0RKXTMWXS83D34GYQJPZ&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_0RKXTMWXS83D34GYQJPZ&peakEvent=5&starsLeft=1&skipTwisterOG=1&bestFormat=true

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AND… If you are a writer, a poet, a painter, or in any way involved with the fine arts, I invite you to be a protagonist on FEATURES by VALENCIARTIST. All you have to do is respond to this post with your email address so that we can contact you and give you the instructions.

CHEERS

Hay que aprenderse esta lecciones tan valiosa.

Maria Martins fue una escultora brasileira que nació en Campanha en 1894. Aparentemente Maria lo hizo todo, pues fue pintora, escultora, música, escritora, diseñadora y grabadora. Mare meua! Espero que no se me haya quedado nada fuera… Su carrera artística comenzó con la música. Después estudió pintura en París, pero finalmente opto por la escultura… Primero modelaba en terracota y en mármol, luego en Japón comenzó a utilizar la madera y finalmente en Bruselas trabajó el bronce… En Nueva York puso su estudio y una de sus piezas fue adquirida por el Museo de Arte Moderna de Nueva York (MoMA)… Sus esculturas, representando formas orgánicas, retorcidas y sensuales atrajeron la atención de muchos coleccionistas y también de los surrealistas como André Breton… Su vida fue bastante increíble, pero suponemos cierta. Maria Martins fue amante de Marcel Duchamp y también de Benito Mussolini, al mismo tiempo amiga de Picasso y Mondrian. Entre sus trabajos como escritora está la entrevista al dictador chino Mao Zedong. Wow! En esos años eran cosas impensables para una mujer.​

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Maria Martins was a Brazilian sculptor born in Campanha in 1894. Apparently, Maria did it all, as she was a painter, sculptor, musician, writer, designer, and engraver. My goodness I hope I haven’t left anything out… Her artistic career began with music. She then studied painting in Paris, but ultimately chose sculpture… She initially modelled in terracotta and marble, later in Japan she began to use wood, and finally in Brussels, she worked with bronze… In New York, she set up her studio, and one of her pieces was acquired by the Museum of Modern (MoMA)… Her sculptures, representing organic, twisted, and sensual forms, caught the attention of many collectors and also of surrealists like André Breton… Her life was quite incredible, but we assume certain. Maria Martins was the lover of Marcel Duchamp and also of Benito Mussolini, while being friends with Picasso and Mondrian. Among her works as a writer is an interview with the Chinese dictator Mao Zedong. Wow! In those years, such things were unthinkable for a woman.

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Maria Martins murió en Rio de Janeiro en 1973.

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Maria Martins died in Rio Janeiro in 1973.

GRACIAS – CHEERS

Alive as was the skin now stretched across the living wood,

flesh from the trees, rain from above,

the hands that catapult the rhythm vibrate with the energy of the pulse created by the neurons of his jazzy brain and transmitted through synapses to his dancing fingers…

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* In case you did not know what an Euro-Ku is, I will tell you. It is my homage to the Japanese poetry. I developed the idea of transforming Haikus into something a Westerner can do and understand and I developed the Euro-Ku with respect and determination. It is basically a short, concise and precise poem in three verses that tie into each other effortlessly and cohesively and that expresses a message, an emotion, an idea or a feeling. However the main difference is that a Euro-Ku must contain an illustration (which refers clearly to the poem) created by the poet. It can be a photograph taken by the author, a drawing or a painting…

CHEERS

A flower is God’s painting the world around us, the Earth that is still beneath our feet giving us a sense of being and belonging…

CHEERS

Abstract me… Don’t let me know your secret reference, let me find it through your colours, through your lines…

CHEERS

En sus vetustas paredes hay fantasmas atrapados que liberas con tu sonrisa,

pero ¿Quien te libera a ti de los fantasmas que te acechan?

Quizá caminaras por el fondo de los lagos verdes de tu ignorancia hasta el día que al fin subas a respirar…

C.2022, Francisco Bravo Cabrera, 26/09/2022, València, España 🇪🇸

San Bartolomé, apóstol de Jesús y testigo de la ascensión de Jesús. Bartolomé fue desollado vivo por el rey de Armenia. Su fiesta la celebra la Iglesia catolica el 24 de agosto. Esta imagen, esculpida por Marco D’Agrate en 1562, se encuentra en la catedral de Milán. Eso que el santo lleva alrededor de sus hombros no es un manto, es su piel…

Saint Bartholomew was an apostle of Jesus and as well a witness to his ascension into heaven. He died a martyr in Armenia when the king ordered that he be tortured and flayed. The above sculpture was done by Marco D’Agrate in 1562. It stands in the Cathedral of Milan. And what you see around the Saint’s shoulders is not a tunic, it is his skin…

GRACIAS – CHEERS

To one who saved my life one day,
from somewhere close, but far away,

with care and thought and expert skill,

one shot one kill

18 NOV 2022, Francisco Bravo Cabrera, Valencia, España
(photo by Myra, US Collaborator, Omnia Caelum Studios Valencia/All Rights Reserved)

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An Euro-Ku is what I call a Haiku done by a Westerner with a Western mentality but recognising and utilising the Eastern form of poetry and philosophical expression. In other words, adapting it to our way of thinking.

The Euro-Ku, as well as the Ameri-Ku (same idea but with an American mentality), must also contain three lines, however they can be as long as the writer needs or wants them to be. One important difference is that they must tell a clear, and simple story or complete thought. They must paint the picture with words clearly and with a fluid form of expression. Objectivity is the ideal here. Lastly, it must include a photograph or picture, original or done by someone who has ceded their rights to you that somehow, directly or indirectly refers to the text of the three lines.

That is basically it. The rules of the Euro-Ku and I invite anyone to try it. You poets out there might like it. It is something different and poetry, like all other art forms, is the search…

(FBC, Omnia Caelum Studios Valencia)

Debo confesar que no conozco a esta pintora española, nacida en 1904 en Madrid. Pero bueno, os la presento porque me parece importante para la historia del arte y además es una de esas pintoras un tanto olvidadas o ignoradas por los nuevos «expertos» (madre mía los expertos!). Fue pintora figurativa de la Sociedad de Artistas Ibéricos y también partidaria del movimiento Nueva objetividad, un movimiento artístico alemán que rechazaba el expresionismo y que fue derrumbado por los Nazis en 1933. Rosario pertenece a la generación de las Sinsombrero (grupo de mujeres artistas españolas) de 1927. Pues, venga, aqui algunas de sus obras…

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I must confess that I do not know much about this Spanish painter, born in 1904 in Madrid. But, well, I present her to you because I think she is important in Art History and she is also one of those somewhat forgotten or ignored female painters by the new «experts» (good grief the experts!). She was a figurative painter of the Society of Iberian Artists and also a proponent of the New Objectivity movement, a German artistic movement that rejected expressionism that was dismantled by the Nazis in 1933. Rosario belongs to the generation of the Sinsombrero (a group of Spanish women artists) from 1927. So, here are some of her works…

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GRACIAS – CHEERS