Friday, January 24, 2014

As an artist and a Christian, I sometimes struggle with pride and humility.  I think I am a rather humble person but others may disagree. In this day and age of Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, ect... artist (including myself) are putting their artwork out there for the world to view, often in hopes of feedback, critique or compliments.  The compliments feel best and where pride can rear its ugly head.  I am often proud of the work I do but I try not to ever be prideful.  But whats the difference? Thats a tricky question and one I have given a lot of thought to.

To be proud of something I think, is to be content with it, or unashamed of it, without the need to obtain praise from others or to praise yourself to others.

To be prideful I think, is when you are proud of something and desire others to praise your efforts.  Also when you feel the need to praise your own efforts to others is being prideful.

Proverbs 29:23 ESV  One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.

Proverbs 27:2
ESV Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.

1 John 2:16 ESV For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.

I'm certainly not saying we shouldn't, as artist, share our works.  After all, many of us need to make a living selling our art and to sell we must put it out there for the world to see.   The ability to create art is a God given talent, whether you believe in God or not.  That's something I try and keep in the forefront of my mind with every painting I do.  My art does not need to be "Christian" in nature, so long as what I do paint I paint to glorify God. Humbly and to the best of my abilities.

Lotus
9" x 12" Pastel
SOLD
This was one painting I proud of, it was also one of my first sales.



Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Seems it has been awhile since I have updated this blog, so I am giving it a facelift and changing the focus a bit.  It will definitely still be about my art, but I also want to explore how my art and my faith shape my life, how they effect each other and how they might effect other people.  Sharing my faith is not my strong suite but I enjoy sharing my art. So... expect to see more art and some pondering.

Now my art is not "Christian Art" but it is about trying to capture a glimpse of the amazing and beautiful world God created using the talent that He gave me.  I do not claim to be a great artist, or even a good artist.  I know I still have much growing and learning to do in both my faith and my art so that I do not become stagnant in either.  For now, I will leave you with a recent painting I did a couple weeks ago of the field of wildflowers in my backyard.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/175392000/summer-wildflowers-original-pastel?
Summer Wildflowers
9" x 12"
Pastel