In conversation with Melina Luna, Creative Director and founder of StoryMakers NYC.
“The first step in my process always begins with art and story.”
This is fitting for Melina Luna, the Creative Director of StoryMakers NYC. We join Melina for a thoughtful conversation on faith and narrative—those we create and those we live out. We begin our conversation at the beginning—how do we start the process of creating something new?
“My imagination needs space to consider the possibilities of a new world or way of retelling a story entirely. In order to ‘get there,’ I need time away saturated in travel, art, or story itself. This is where my creative process begins—in the loosening of my mind and spark of the imagination.”
Melina’s own story illustrates how God moves and works throughout our lives, through the art we create, in unique and beautiful ways.
“In my twenties, I worked with families in behavioral health and art became the way in which I could bridge connections. When I entered my thirties I became a mother and pursued family ministry in New York City. In 2016, Domino Magazine featured my work and home in an article. It was at that moment I clearly felt touched by God. It was a moment I knew God affirmed my creativity and the various roads I could take. It became clear I would pursue something in between; something tactile, something kids could hold onto, something new that would draw us into God's story. I could see I was given specific gifts for this purpose, a call to be lived into.
After years of working with kids, art, and story I realized my experience could be applied outside of myself and founded StoryMakers NYC. We are a creative studio dedicated to creating imaginative resources with the intention of drawing kids into God's redemptive narrative.”
The work of StoryMakers is vibrant, engaging, and fun. Each zine, playbook, and activity is an invitation to adventure, bringing the beauty of the Bible out of the abstract and into the tangible reality of our lives. This kind of spiritual integration is experienced not only by the children and families interacting with StoryMakers; it is baked into the creative process for each product they produce.
“I believe we are all image bearers of our Creator,” Melina explains. “So when I am in the process of discovering or creating something new, it is always spiritual. When you are facing a blank canvas or screen, you need your faith to step in and assure you God is with you. Creativity requires the kind of risks that are only fully pursued when you are anchored in faith.
You can take risks when you are held in the confidence that no matter what comes of your work, you are part of something bigger than yourself—something worth pursuing whether the world acknowledges your creativity or not. So, yes the entire process is spiritual because it requires you to stop, pray, breathe, and listen to the one who holds the whole world in his hands.”
Significantly, this creative process does not happen in a vacuum. While the artist might feel the urge to retreat—to cut themselves off from any perceived distractions and create in solitude—such an approach misses the fullness of what art can and should be. In Melina’s words:
“Community is everything! Isolation can produce self-indulgent work, ego-centric art that serves no one but the self. That is not the purpose of art. Art is a descriptor–a means of communication declaring that life is not always as it should be—this requires courage and faith. Not only do colleagues afford you the opportunity to move beyond navel-gazing, but they can push you to see horizons and details not available to you. In other words, community can lift you up and shape how you express the details of this world in light of a living God.”
This celebration of community is evidenced in the team of people who come together to make each StoryMakers project happen. To create is to explore, to curiously listen and learn from the experiences and perspectives of those around you. When we lean into community, we expose ourselves to the richness and diversity our Creator has woven through us all. As we draw closer to one another, we draw closer to God. Nurturing a spirit of curiosity is vital for all creatives; exposing ourselves to new people and ideas brings forth new avenues for artistic expression.
“I have grown and learned so much about myself and God through travel. And I am not talking about jumping on a cruise or an all-you-can-eat trip to Cancun, go somewhere where your curiosity will be peaked. Traveling doesn't need to be fancy, but interesting. When you allow your curiosity to dictate your experience you will be shaped in a way you could never have imagined. Travel is art–enjoy the world and the beautiful diversity of humanity God has created.”
As our conversation draws to a close, we ask Melina to share a few final kernels of wisdom for aspiring artists seeking to integrate their faith into their work:
“The truth is, as an image bearer, you are already a Christian artist. Just the very nature of being human and living in the knowledge you have been claimed, loved, and redeemed by the Creator means your life is integrated. Don't overthink this life, live into the gifts you have been given, and God will land you in the exact place he has always intended.”
Learn more about Melina and StoryMakers at https://www.storymakersnyc.com/ or on Instagram: @melluna @storymakersnyc
Words by Emma Tweitmann
Photos provided by Melina Luna
