In God's Image : Illustrator : Javier Saltares

Over the last several months, I've had the privilege of working with Art Ayris and his team at Kingstone Media. One of Kingstone's collaborators is Javier "Jarv" Saltares, an illustrator whose art you have likely seen. He has worked on Wolverine and Ghost Rider for Marvel, as well as G.I. Joe for IDW (he was penciller on the acclaimed "Cobra: Civil War" arc). 

Jarv also did work on Book of God, which I recommended earlier this year, and he was kind enough to participate in 3LC's ongoing "In God's Image" series. Below are his answers to our standard questions, and I hope you'll take the time to get to know him better and seek out some of his work. 

In God's Image: Author & Publisher : Art Ayris

Art Ayris is living my dream.

He's the founder and CEO of Kingstone Media, where he and his team have created some of the best comics with a faith-based message to hit the market. His work has resulted in adaptations of Biblical classics as well as original ideas. The quality of Kingstone's releases and the success they've garnered have enabled to team with studios such as Sony Worldwide while also working with heavy hitters in the evangelical culture like Ravi Zacharias. At the end of the day, Art has led his team to produce a library that is sure to contain something for any comic fan. I have already had the pleasure of reviewing standalone comics retelling the stories of Jonah and Job, as well as the original graphic novels, Book of God and Echoes of Eden; and I look forward to reviewing several more graphic novels from Kingstone this fall.

Art was willing to participate in 3LC's ongoing "In His Image" series, and I invite you to join me in getting to know Art Ayris, Founder and CEO of Kingstone Media.

In God's Image : Author and Professor : Craig Detweiler

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of recommending iGods, a book that explores the history of some of our modern ubiquitous technology as well as its affect on our lives. The book's author, Craig Detweiler, became head of Biola University's Mass Communications department during my last year in the screenwriting program, and he continued to hold that position when I returned to the university as a staff member two years later (we have since both moved into new employment). 

Though we never developed a relationship while we were both on the same campus, Craig always seemed approachable, and I always heard of his doing excellent work for the school. Given this Biola connection, I contacted him during Stronghold's release, and we have corresponded here and there since that time. Following my recommendation of iGods, I asked Craig to participate in 3LC's ongoing "In God's Image" series, and he took some time to share with thoughts on his work, his goals, and his faith. 

In God's Image : Sculptor : Rocco Tartamella

In God’s Image: “Subcreators in a Created World”

An Ongoing Series from 3LCpublishing

In this edition of "In God's Image", we will get to know Rocco Tartamella, a professional sculptor who has worked in the toy industry for over a decade. Rocco and I met at Toy Fair 2008, when I was covering collectibles news, and I ran coverage on several fascinating personal projects on which he was working at the time. We struck a chord to such a degree that he even let me leave the show with a souvenir from his table (and it is excellent).

Years later, for reasons I do not recall, we touched base once again and quickly found that we had common ground well beyond our love of the collecting hobby. We were both Men of Faith, and our connection over values and deeper issues became not only apparent but altogether ingrained in our ongoing conversation.

Today I invite you to get to know Rocco a bit better, as he is in the midst of pursuing a noteworthy project: releasing an Archangel Michael Collectible Action Figure via Kickstarter, in what he hopes will be the first in a line of collectibles featuring Angels and Demons of the Scripture. Truly Rocco displays that he is made in God’s Image, serving as a subcreator in our Created World.

Please join me in reading about Rocco's work and vision:

In God's Image : Recovery Ministry : The Solid Rock Road: Jerry Pineda

In God’s Image: “Subcreators in a Created World”

A Series Presented by 3LCpublishing

Wednesday, I posted an interview with Jamee Pineda, co-founder of The Solid Rock Road, a ministry that she began with her husband, Jerry. While I have corresponded with both Jerry and Jamie, it was him with whom I first made contact. I will always appreciate Jerry's willingness to connect with a small burgeoning author like me, and I look forward to our continued interaction in the future. 

Today, we'll spend some time getting to know Jerry Pineda and hear his heart for ministry. 

In God's Image : Recovery Ministry : The Solid Rock Road : Jamee Pineda

In God’s Image: “Subcreators in a Created World”

A Series Presented by 3LC Publishing

Below are interview questions I sent to Jerry and Jamee Pineda, co-founders and writers of The Solid Rock Road, a ministry dedicated to helping people overcome addictions.

I met Jerry and Jamee through Twitter, and we exchanged our respective books (you can read my review of theirs here; their review of mine is on the Stronghold Amazon Page). The Pinedas and I have been in contact a bit since that time; and as I have continued my own ministry work with X3church, I have grown in appreciation for the importance of both good content and strong leadership at the heart of recovery programs. Jamee and Jerry offer both, so I felt they would be great subjects for the "In God's Image" series. 

Each of them were willing to answer the questions independently, so we'll get to know Jamee a bit better today, then spend some time with Jerry on Friday. 

In God's Image : Storytellers : Stew Redwine

In God’s Image: Subcreators in a Created World

An Ongoing Series from 3LCpublishing

Below are interview questions I sent to Stew Redwine, founder and head of StewRedwine.com, a firm that creates top-notch "web videos that increase clarity and conversion". 

Stew and I attended Biola University around the same era in the early 2000's, and he was always an encouragement to me despite our running in different circles (although I believe we once appeared in a classroom play together). Stew caught my attention over the last year with his impressive "Love Thy Audience" e-mails and blog series, a very grounded and useful run of weekly exhortations on the creative process and purpose. Additionally, he recently completed a short entitled, "The Joust", which I felt was enjoyable and worth viewing (so I embedded it below), and he also released a video regarding a failed project that I felt was one of the most sincere directorial apologies I've ever witnessed. He's a creative person who works with integrity and excellence, as well as a fellow believer; therefore, I felt he was an excellent fit for the "In God's Image" series.

Please join me in getting to know Stew Redwine a bit better. 

More with Stronghold and Intentional Warriors

James Cordrey, whose work with Intentional Warriors I highlighted on Wednesday, has offered a second piece on our interview about Stronghold and fighting or purity! Please give it a read!

In God's Image : Recovery Ministry : Intentional Warriors

In God’s Image: “Subcreators in a Created World”

A new series from 3LCpublishing

Below are interview questions I sent to James Cordrey, founder of IntentionalWarriors.com and author of the book of the same name. James and I have been corresponding for months, and each of us has read the other's book and reacted to it. We have connected as men of God, brothers in Christ, and fellow soldiers in the war against lust, not only in our hearts but also in the body of believers. 

James was kind of enough to be the first participant in the "In God's Image" series, through which I hope to highlight fellow believers whose creative energies are resulting in kingdom work. The hopefully ongoing feature will allow our brothers and sisters in Christ to share details about the ministries or projects which they have founded, created, or built for our Father’s glory.

I am very glad to be sharing James' responses with you, and I hope you will take time to visit his site.

Interview and Book Review at Intentional Warriors

James Cordrey, editor of Intentional Warriors (and author of the book of the same name) was kind enough to run a story not only reviewing Stronghold but also interviewing me about my own recovery journey.

Please take a look at Intentional Warriors to read James' Thoughts

On Wednesday, I'll be running an interview with him about his work with Intentional Warriors. 

Another Article Elsewhere...Well, Kinda. More Kre-o

So, when I was writing my recent pieces on Hasbro's Kre-O toy line (here and here), I also asked my editor to forward interview questions to the line's brand team. My editor at Figures.com is a good dude: he said he'd do it; he did it; and lo and behold, they responded. I put together the intro, and bada-bing, another article in the mix.

I'll be honest, I'm hoping this is the first of many future written interviews I can re-post at 3LC. Asking useful questions is a good skill to add to my portfolio, and I think developing it will prove valuable as I continue pursuing writing in various formats.

Have any interest toys, or any interest in toys in which I have interest, the below article might be worth a read:

DeConstructing Kre-O

Addiction Relapse, Pirate Monk, Action Figure Collecting, and More...

In lieu of a post this morning, here are links to a few more of my articles elsewhere:

• "10 Emotions That Can Trigger a Relapse in 2014 (part 1)" for X3Church
• "10 Emotions That Can Trigger a Relapse in 2014 (part 2)" for same.

• You Might have a Problem Collecting Toys If... at Figures.com 
• A Second Article on the Building of the Kre-O Brand at same

Finally, I was recently interviewed on Pirate Monk Podcast, the audio program of the Samson Society.

Starting in April, I'll be linking to my work on other sites when the articles go live!

And as a bonus, I included this. Not mine but it's pretty good: A Review of Kre-O City Invasion!

Interview: Stronghold, Faith, and Recovery.

I had the great blessing recently of speaking with Jeff Fisher, a wonderful Christian brother who was willing to read Stronghold and later interview me about it for his ministry's audio resource, "The 104 Podcast: Top Tips to Sexual Purity."

3LC Beyond the Blog

Dear Readers, 

If you enjoy the content I produce here on 3LC, you may take interest in some of my writings at other venues. Hopefully this list will expand in 2014, but for now, here's the whole thing. Please click the links below to check out some of the off-blog content in which I've participated or I've had published (yes, by real editors) on other sites:

Addicts: Give yourself the gift of Time

Why do We collect [Toys]?

What Happaned to the Summer Toy Aisle?

Loving Lego at All Ages

Interview with Covenant Eyes Regarding Stronghold

Audio Interview with Second Chances Radio regarding Stronghold