Father and son share artistic spirit, gallery duties
ST. JACOB'S, ON—With the opening of Thisway Gallery, Derrick Mueller returned to his artistic roots.
Mueller, who recently resigned as the president of Emmanuel Bible College, opened the art gallery with his son Caleb in June. Located in St. Jacob's Mill Shed and Studio, the gallery also houses Caleb's graphic arts business.
"When you say 'bible college president' or 'consultant,' you may forget where someone has come from," says Mueller. "I've always been involved in the arts."
In his first career as a photographer Mueller spent "loads of time" experimenting with emulsions while developing photos. But three years as a portrait photographer—where he took between 15,000 and 20,000 photos a year—jaded him.
"I'd win an award with a wedding picture and couldn't get the bride to buy it," says Derrick, who got to the point where he "didn't want to see a picture again."
"I lost the art form," he says. "But I began to find a way to do art differently."
His artistic endeavors include writing, comedic acting and now abstract painting.
"Even as president at EBC, every year we'd work on a slide show. I enjoyed the scripting and the creating, calling upon skills and talents I've learned in the past," he says.
Caleb, who began drawing early and eventually trained at the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, says his dad always approached things "artfully."
"Like [his] leadership book [The Amaryllis Way]—it isn't just 'here are leadership principles.' [He tells] it first through an extended parable," says Caleb. "It's a much more artful approach."
Thisway Gallery was created so father and son could exhibit art which reflects a Christian perspective.
"God made us creative people," says Caleb, an A student who often spent more time on the cover of his school projects than on the content. His family went to went to many a restaurant on the colouring contests Caleb won, recalls his dad.
"There's a lot available to us in terms of creativity," says Caleb. "We can't leave that behind and expect all our art to fit in a certain box."
Derrick Mueller expresses that creativity in the abstract pieces shown at the gallery.
"Abstract painting is an act of worship. I respond to the way God has created me by painting," he says.
The Muellers' vision for the gallery is to start with their own works and then open it to other artists. Derrick has enjoyed hearing people talk about his paintings and he wants others to experience the same thing.
"For an artist it means everything, just to know one person appreciated your work," says Mueller.
Dear Readers:
ChristianWeek relies on your generous support. please take a minute and donate to help give voice to stories that inform, encourage and inspire.
Donations of $20 or more will receive a charitable receipt.Thank you, from Christianweek.
