Comments on: Archive: Questions From Art Class, Jeff Thompson http://blog.iamnotashamed.net/2008/04/30/archive-questions-from-art-class-jeff-thompson/ Thoughts on the Journey Thu, 04 Dec 2008 01:46:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Ariah http://blog.iamnotashamed.net/2008/04/30/archive-questions-from-art-class-jeff-thompson/#comment-33635 Ariah Thu, 01 May 2008 19:18:03 +0000 http://blog.iamnotashamed.net/2008/04/30/archive-questions-from-art-class-jeff-thompson/#comment-33635 Thanks for sharing everyone! That really did give me quite a bit of insight. Since these thoughts were 5 years old you'll be glad to know I have found some answers, but like I said, I think the questions still float out there. I really do appreciate art, especially on the street level were anyone can do and interact with it. The expensive galleries and million dollar paintings are what I think I've had, and continue to have, a hard time with. Thanks again for your wisdom Thanks for sharing everyone! That really did give me quite a bit of insight.
Since these thoughts were 5 years old you’ll be glad to know I have found some answers, but like I said, I think the questions still float out there.

I really do appreciate art, especially on the street level were anyone can do and interact with it. The expensive galleries and million dollar paintings are what I think I’ve had, and continue to have, a hard time with.

Thanks again for your wisdom

]]> By: Connie http://blog.iamnotashamed.net/2008/04/30/archive-questions-from-art-class-jeff-thompson/#comment-33489 Connie Thu, 01 May 2008 12:43:52 +0000 http://blog.iamnotashamed.net/2008/04/30/archive-questions-from-art-class-jeff-thompson/#comment-33489 I don't have defined thoughts but I will try to string them together. I consider myself an "artist" in several senses...musician, writer, visual artist. My disclaimer is that my "bluntness" sometimes sounds like I might be mad, but I'm not, I know what you're getting at here, just trying to keep it to the point. First let me start with what I FEEL about my art, although I know that is not objective. I know that when I start thinking my art (whatever form) is a waste of time because I should be out doing something more directly helpful for the Kingdom of God, and I stop creating, I go half-crazy. I get mad, overwhelmed, overworked; I forget things. Point being, I think God created me to create. When I don't do it, I am not being who He created me to be, therefore I am miserable and ineffective. Second, let's move on to what art is...I think you have it in a box, because people could say the same thing about your writing. It would be like someone saying, "Shouldn't you be out feeding the poor or something?" while you are writing what you feel is a meaningful post. Just because it's something that others have to choose to look at and look for rather than something you are directly physically engaged in, does not negate God's ability to use it. And being actively engaged in art of any form can bring you to people and places that you would have never otherwise come. People and places that God orchestrated based on your obedience to creating what He called you to create. Third, I don't think you can categorize it all as something that rich people get the benefit of. Some people give their art away. Some people show it free. Some people dedicate their talents for things like neighborhood rehabilitation as you've discussed in your own neighborhood. If art is a waste of time, then that is a waste of time, too. Just leave the neighborhood looking crappy and go out and love people. It's about the human heart. The human heart loves beauty and truth. If art, in any form, can speak of those things, and if we as artists allow God to lead us in our creation of it, then people will be inspired to change and led to Truth. And back to how it makes me feel, you know me and how I am not very comfortable in groups of people...super-introvert that I am. When I am in a situation where I am "Artist," I am the most comfortable person in the world. I don't mind talking to people; I actually enjoy talking to people. I even engage THEM rather than waiting for them to engage me. Because I am who I feel I am supposed to be. Point being, I am completely ineffective (or I feel so) when I am not creating, because I have nothing in me that feels comfortable engaging those around me. And if I have to, I am that overwhelmed crazy person I mentioned above. Not that this is OK...I know I should learn to be that Kingdom-building person no matter what is going on, just that it makes me feel OK being me around others when there is not much else that does. And all of this being said, art can become an idol just like anything else. When you start doing it because of what you can get out of it...here's a C.S. Lewis quote from The Great Divorce: "You’ll never paint at all if that’s what you’re thinking about…if you’re interested in the country only for painting it, you’ll never learn to see the country…. Every poet and musician and artist, but for grace, is drawn away from love of the thing he tells to love of the telling, till down in deep hell, they cannot be interested in God at all, but in only what they say about Him, for it doesn’t stop at being interested in paint, you know. They sink lower, become interested in their own personalities, and then in nothing but their own reputations.” Anyway, there is always this danger. But when art remains something that is about other people and God (just like anything needs to be!), I think it is perfectly acceptable and even good. And the hours that you spend creating it, practicing it, etc....those are hours when at least, I feel joined by God because it is Him who enables me to do it. There is a communion with Him, like a partnership that I don't (or can't in my level of maturity) yet recognize when I babysit or type invoices for my caterer. That's all. :-) I don’t have defined thoughts but I will try to string them together. I consider myself an “artist” in several senses…musician, writer, visual artist. My disclaimer is that my “bluntness” sometimes sounds like I might be mad, but I’m not, I know what you’re getting at here, just trying to keep it to the point. First let me start with what I FEEL about my art, although I know that is not objective. I know that when I start thinking my art (whatever form) is a waste of time because I should be out doing something more directly helpful for the Kingdom of God, and I stop creating, I go half-crazy. I get mad, overwhelmed, overworked; I forget things. Point being, I think God created me to create. When I don’t do it, I am not being who He created me to be, therefore I am miserable and ineffective. Second, let’s move on to what art is…I think you have it in a box, because people could say the same thing about your writing. It would be like someone saying, “Shouldn’t you be out feeding the poor or something?” while you are writing what you feel is a meaningful post. Just because it’s something that others have to choose to look at and look for rather than something you are directly physically engaged in, does not negate God’s ability to use it. And being actively engaged in art of any form can bring you to people and places that you would have never otherwise come. People and places that God orchestrated based on your obedience to creating what He called you to create. Third, I don’t think you can categorize it all as something that rich people get the benefit of. Some people give their art away. Some people show it free. Some people dedicate their talents for things like neighborhood rehabilitation as you’ve discussed in your own neighborhood. If art is a waste of time, then that is a waste of time, too. Just leave the neighborhood looking crappy and go out and love people. It’s about the human heart. The human heart loves beauty and truth. If art, in any form, can speak of those things, and if we as artists allow God to lead us in our creation of it, then people will be inspired to change and led to Truth. And back to how it makes me feel, you know me and how I am not very comfortable in groups of people…super-introvert that I am. When I am in a situation where I am “Artist,” I am the most comfortable person in the world. I don’t mind talking to people; I actually enjoy talking to people. I even engage THEM rather than waiting for them to engage me. Because I am who I feel I am supposed to be. Point being, I am completely ineffective (or I feel so) when I am not creating, because I have nothing in me that feels comfortable engaging those around me. And if I have to, I am that overwhelmed crazy person I mentioned above. Not that this is OK…I know I should learn to be that Kingdom-building person no matter what is going on, just that it makes me feel OK being me around others when there is not much else that does. And all of this being said, art can become an idol just like anything else. When you start doing it because of what you can get out of it…here’s a C.S. Lewis quote from The Great Divorce: “You’ll never paint at all if that’s what you’re thinking about…if you’re interested in the country only for painting it, you’ll never learn to see the country…. Every poet and musician and artist, but for grace, is drawn away from love of the thing he tells to love of the telling, till down in deep hell, they cannot be interested in God at all, but in only what they say about Him, for it doesn’t stop at being interested in paint, you know. They sink lower, become interested in their own personalities, and then in nothing but their own reputations.”

Anyway, there is always this danger. But when art remains something that is about other people and God (just like anything needs to be!), I think it is perfectly acceptable and even good. And the hours that you spend creating it, practicing it, etc….those are hours when at least, I feel joined by God because it is Him who enables me to do it. There is a communion with Him, like a partnership that I don’t (or can’t in my level of maturity) yet recognize when I babysit or type invoices for my caterer. That’s all. :-)

]]> By: jamie http://blog.iamnotashamed.net/2008/04/30/archive-questions-from-art-class-jeff-thompson/#comment-33354 jamie Thu, 01 May 2008 00:24:26 +0000 http://blog.iamnotashamed.net/2008/04/30/archive-questions-from-art-class-jeff-thompson/#comment-33354 I am an artist. It takes exploration and practice to make wonderful, beautiful, magnificent art. The kind of art that makes your heart yearn for something more. The kind that isn't kitschy or manipulative. The world needs people who are prophets, musicians, dancers, poets, painters...people who point to something more than mere existence. It isn't a job; it is a vocation. It is something you do even if you don't get paid. I do agree that the rich shouldn't be the only ones who get to see great art. And perhaps that is where the church comes in...creating space for artists to grow, explore, share... I am an artist. It takes exploration and practice to make wonderful, beautiful, magnificent art. The kind of art that makes your heart yearn for something more. The kind that isn’t kitschy or manipulative. The world needs people who are prophets, musicians, dancers, poets, painters…people who point to something more than mere existence. It isn’t a job; it is a vocation. It is something you do even if you don’t get paid.
I do agree that the rich shouldn’t be the only ones who get to see great art. And perhaps that is where the church comes in…creating space for artists to grow, explore, share…

]]> By: Phil Smoke http://blog.iamnotashamed.net/2008/04/30/archive-questions-from-art-class-jeff-thompson/#comment-33342 Phil Smoke Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:50:11 +0000 http://blog.iamnotashamed.net/2008/04/30/archive-questions-from-art-class-jeff-thompson/#comment-33342 Not many thoughts, but ditto on the questions. Emily, are you saying that we should view art as a trade, as a livelihood equivalent to accounting, engineering, or law? That seems viable, and it's certainly something I've thought about. But it seems like it still leaves questions unanswered, and it might imply things which artists aren't itching to accept. Not many thoughts, but ditto on the questions.

Emily, are you saying that we should view art as a trade, as a livelihood equivalent to accounting, engineering, or law? That seems viable, and it’s certainly something I’ve thought about. But it seems like it still leaves questions unanswered, and it might imply things which artists aren’t itching to accept.

]]> By: jamie http://blog.iamnotashamed.net/2008/04/30/archive-questions-from-art-class-jeff-thompson/#comment-33222 jamie Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:46:46 +0000 http://blog.iamnotashamed.net/2008/04/30/archive-questions-from-art-class-jeff-thompson/#comment-33222 Just take a minute to imagine the world without art... Just take a minute to imagine the world without art…

]]> By: Jake http://blog.iamnotashamed.net/2008/04/30/archive-questions-from-art-class-jeff-thompson/#comment-33124 Jake Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:40:09 +0000 http://blog.iamnotashamed.net/2008/04/30/archive-questions-from-art-class-jeff-thompson/#comment-33124 I'm glad you picked up the archiving posts. I would echo Emily. In art, as in most disciplines, there is worship of God and of self. We have to discern that. I have had to develop my understanding of art as language. Because I know English well, I sense its value in communicating truth. I need to learn other forms of communication in order to better appreciate thier purposes. I’m glad you picked up the archiving posts. I would echo Emily. In art, as in most disciplines, there is worship of God and of self. We have to discern that. I have had to develop my understanding of art as language. Because I know English well, I sense its value in communicating truth. I need to learn other forms of communication in order to better appreciate thier purposes.

]]> By: Emily http://blog.iamnotashamed.net/2008/04/30/archive-questions-from-art-class-jeff-thompson/#comment-33110 Emily Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:09:16 +0000 http://blog.iamnotashamed.net/2008/04/30/archive-questions-from-art-class-jeff-thompson/#comment-33110 Hahaha, I have LOTS of thoughts, since I am an artist and spent countless hours in studio and art history classes. I could (and should) write my own essay on this, but I'll address just one of your questions: "And I certainly believe God can use all things to bring people to himself, like the worshipful communication that one might see in a ballet, but isn’t there other ways? More direct, or applicable ways to bring people to Christ?" One could ask the same question about someone who chooses to be a CPA, or an engineer, or a lawyer. Should a person who loves God devote herself only to the work of ministry? Should she ignore the talents that God has given her? Ballet is a rigorous discipline and someone who achieves the success of dancing with a national company has not only great talent but deep commitment; I believe that fully developing the talents God gives us is worship. Being the light of Christ in whatever profession we choose - based on our talents and passions - is valuable and beautiful to the Lord. A pastor I met several years ago worked full-time as a lawyer for many years and part-time as a pastor for a local church. He said that one day he had a revelation that his secular work was just as holy as his ministry; he was called to represent Christ in the office just as he did in the church. So he came to approach his desk at work with the same dedication as he approached the altar at church. Excellence always honors God. Hahaha, I have LOTS of thoughts, since I am an artist and spent countless hours in studio and art history classes. I could (and should) write my own essay on this, but I’ll address just one of your questions:

“And I certainly believe God can use all things to bring people to himself, like the worshipful communication that one might see in a ballet, but isn’t there other ways? More direct, or applicable ways to bring people to Christ?”

One could ask the same question about someone who chooses to be a CPA, or an engineer, or a lawyer. Should a person who loves God devote herself only to the work of ministry? Should she ignore the talents that God has given her? Ballet is a rigorous discipline and someone who achieves the success of dancing with a national company has not only great talent but deep commitment; I believe that fully developing the talents God gives us is worship. Being the light of Christ in whatever profession we choose - based on our talents and passions - is valuable and beautiful to the Lord.

A pastor I met several years ago worked full-time as a lawyer for many years and part-time as a pastor for a local church. He said that one day he had a revelation that his secular work was just as holy as his ministry; he was called to represent Christ in the office just as he did in the church. So he came to approach his desk at work with the same dedication as he approached the altar at church. Excellence always honors God.

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