Congratulations to the winner, Jodi H.!
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Recently I received a digital link to view the film “Colors of Character” from Collide Media and Momentum Influencers. It’s an incredibly inspirational movie about the artist Steve Skipper. I’d love to tell you more about it, plus I have a digital media link to give away to one reader!
About “Colors of Character”
Artist Steve Skipper has had the most remarkable life; one with the darkest of places and circumstances in some moments. He was once, as a young man, a drug dealer and user, a gang member, and a violent, angry person. And yet, miraculously, he was saved out of that dangerous life and given both an incredible talent and a future.
In “Colors of Character,” based on a book cowritten by Steve and Don Keith (Dream On: A Journey to Deliverance). Steve was born in a small town close to Birmingham, Alabama, in 1958, and grew up in a nearby town called Rosewood. He attended segregated schools at first, where one of his teachers noticed his artistic talent. She provided art materials herself to Steve, as the school lacked funding for them, and encouraged him to pursue art. His parents were against this and wanted him to get “a real job.”
Later, Steve was among students who were bused to a different school district as attempts at integration were pursued. Steve was angry at issues in his home life and struggles at school, and was one of many students who got into fights. Not too long after this, he was “jumped into” the Crips gang, which had made it all the way from Los Angeles to Birmingham. He was tough, collected money and debts owed for drugs, and lived the gang life, using as well as selling.
However, God had a dramatically unusual plan for him. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but a remarkable set of circumstances brought Steve face to face with God and almost immediately out of the gang lifestyle. “Colors of Character” tells this story as well as how God brought Steve back to creating art. Although he had much talent, Steve had little formal art training, yet doors opened again and again and he grew as an artist and was able to make a living for himself and his family. He was connected with major sports figures and spent years painting sports paintings and portraits.
And, it could have ended there, with Steve continuing to create amazing artwork in the sports world. But God led him eventually on a remarkably different path: painting the Civil Rights Movement. He was connected with individuals in Birmingham, in Selma, and in Bimini as he painted the history of the marches, the churches, and key individuals in the fight for civil rights.
Steve shares many of his own life experiences in the film, and there are many interview clips with sports personalities, political figures, and even an ambassador! This movie is recommended by Dove.org for those aged 12 and up (some mention of sexual content, drug use, and personal injury).
My thoughts about “Colors of Character”
Steve’s story is pretty incredible. And, I was surprised numerous times as I watched this film. He lived in a remarkable time in America’s 20th century, during the civil rights movement in the 1960s. He was saved out of a life that was dangerous and could have been fatal, the gang life. And he was gifted an immense talent in art, and painted portraits and artwork for famous sports figures from the University of Alabama, the NFL, the PGA, NASCAR, and more. That would have been pretty amazing all on its own.
But after years of creating sports art and making connections with famous sports talents, players, and coaches, God called him in a completely different direction; into painting about the Civil Rights Movement in America. It’s almost as if Steve’s life has had three different movements, so far: gang life; sports painting; and civil rights painting.
I was so inspired and encouraged by “Colors of Character.” I loved seeing God’s purposes in and hand on Steve’s life, and how God really does desire to lead and guide us in our lives and callings. God made connections over and over for Steve in ways he could never have anticipated, and his art not only transcended color and overcame racial discrimination, but invited viewers into the fight for civil rights and the lives of many individuals who made a difference there.
It’s a remarkable movie and an important one, especially for our day and age. And, you can enter to win a digital code for “Colors of Character!”
How to enter to win
You can enter to win a digital code for “Colors of Character” as well! To enter, simply click on the link below that says “Enter here!” That will take you to a Giveaway Tools entry form where you’ll be able to enter in a variety of ways. Giveaway closes 4/15/21. Best wishes!
Where to rent or buy “Colors of Character”
You can rent or buy “Colors of Character” on DVD, or on demand from your own home!
Just click on the “Buy Link” below. That will take you to the “Colors of Character” website. You’ll be able to purchase the DVD from Amazon or Best Buy. You can rent and view it on Apple TV or Fandango.
Buy Link: LINK
Enjoy! –Wren
Disclosure: Many thanks to Collide Distribution for providing this product/product information for review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
finchnwren 