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 Faith08:32 Creating Meaningful Artwork11:04 The Challenge of Representing Jesus13:37 The Depth of the Crucifixion16:13 Theological Reflections on Art24:06 The Nature of God and Artistic Expression26:46 Finding Inspiration in Darkness29:18 The Role of Faith in Creativity31:48 Transformative Power of Art34:37 Art as a Medium for Spiritual Connection38:32 The Influence of the Holy Spirit in Creativity41:32 Spiritual Practices and Community Engagement48:31 Navigating Community Challenges50:47 The Role of Art in Faith51:55 Understanding Ambition and Stewardship58:09 Transforming Technology Use01:07:37 Spiritual Growth and Delayed Gratification01:17:07 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