What do you think it means to be a "Christian Artist"?

[Eric Nykamp]

This is a question I have a lot of people ask me, so I thought I would start a discussion with the same question. What do you think it means to be a Christian artist? Another way to ask this would be to say how does your Christian faith impact your own art making?

[Julie Quinn]

I don't think it necessarily means I paint recognizable "Christian" images. But instead for me, it means that I paint everything from a place of worship and an intimate relationship with Christ. Julie

[Elizabeth Ann Miller]

It means so many different things to different people. While some may become conservative in their pieces, others may become more organic or truthful. Others may only produce pieces which reflect the church at large. I would say simply that our perspectives are shaped by our faith and often our pieces reflect our faith or faith walk at that point in time.

[Betty Bartlett]

As you know, I am not a trained, professional artist, but have been a musician and creative person over the years and have explored many art forms, woodcut prints, colored pencil watercolor, raku pottery, and just lately a clay sculpting/papier mache' (sp?) class! I find it hard to LABEL myself as an "artist" or for that matter, "Christian", but I AM both!

Probably the most rewarding experience so far, however, is the way I was led to using music (piano & singing) in a new way for Hospice patients, thru creating one particular raku piece and waking from a deep sleep with a hymn running thru my head, all of which I call a "God Moment" and will be putting a synopsis of it on My Page. The piece is shaped similar to the musical treble cleff sign -- I call it "Treble Cup" and it is in my photos. I did bring it to a MANNA meeting but didn't feel I had explained the spirit of it sufficiently at that time. Maybe I can express it a little better this time thru the outline I used to testify at my church service. Please check it out!

Betty Bartlett

[Sandy Meyer]

I view my art making as a partnership with the Lord. He helps me to find the ideas and inspirations, its my responsibility to follow through and create beautiful art that gives glory to Him. As I am working it comes to me that He already knows what will become of the piece. He alone knows if it will be a show piece, an award winner, or just a pieces to give away. Its the process that is important! That process is a prayer. Sometimes its a struggling prayer, other times it flows with great joy. It helps me to create when I listen to Christian music or classical music. Sometimes I listen to the Bible on CD.

[Virginia Wieringa]

"As I am working it comes to me that He already knows what will become of the piece. He alone knows if it will be a show piece, an award winner, or just a pieces to give away. Its the process that is important! That process is a prayer. Sometimes its a struggling prayer, other times it flows with great joy. "

I agree whole heartedly, Sandy! I also think God likes and uses the pieces that perhaps don't get accolades. My artmaking comes from a place of faith and wonderment. I feel called to be an artist and I'm a Christian. Two sides of the same coin perhaps.

[Sandy Meyer]

Your comment that "God likes and uses the pieces..." is true. This is true of our work and of teaching. It was especially easy to think that when I was teaching in the elementary and high schools. I knew that I was there each day for some particular purpose of God. I was to have a special effect on someone in one of the classrooms. The same goes for when conducting workshops. Someone there is going to be especially effected by what they experience. We are all tools, to be used for His purpose.

[Matthew Miller]

As with all professions, hobby's, and all aspects of our lives, we need to be giving glory to our Heavenly Father. I saw reference to 'art as prayer', and I whole heartedly agree. In another way I feel as though God has given me this special and intimate gift as a way to show His overwhelming Love and Mercy personally to me.