The Artisan Soul Blog Responses
1. Soul
The Essence of Art
I have always struggled with the idea of being “creative.” When I was younger, my mom, classmates, and friends would always call me creative, so then I did as well. In addition, I also limited creativity to art. However, when I got older, I became more aware of “good” and “bad” creations (which I have come to doubt and label it differently now). I saw my art as inferior to others in the classroom and couldn’t help but make comparisons. I would also describe myself as the type of person who Erwin McManus describes as not answering “are you creative?” with a resounding yes, but with a sheepish hesitancy.
Now that I have grown from them, I see everyone as being creative in their own way. Our creations reflect and worship God and are a form of praise. I strive to see others’ creations not as the world’s secular view would see them, but how God would see them.
2. Voice The Narrative That Guides
My personal relationship with language has been a growing and developing journey. As someone who loves to read, I have a particular affinity for beautifully crafted phrases. And as an aspiring editor, I hope to encourage those authors to dream up and pen those phrases. That is one of the expressions I value that connects the closest to me.
Art, in the same way, is a place for people to express themselves. Instead of gorgeously written sentences, creatives build stunning architecture, paint vibrant landscapes, and imagine up melodic tunes. It is a deeper expression that I could ever imagine, or even put words to. I strive to exhibit McManus’ encouragement of this creativity we all have within ourselves, so others could gain the courage to make something.
3. Interpretation
Translation of Life
Interpretation is something I have struggled with for a long time. This is because I am hyper-aware of what people want or what they want to hear, that I want my interpretation to match that. This could range from someone asking me what I thought of a movie we had just watched, or if it’s an academic analysis of renowned literature. Because of this, I want my interpretation to be “correct.”
However, I've found that in my yearning to have the “correct” interpretation, I have either tried too hard, or I crumble in a pile of indecisiveness, with all the different options for interpretations swirling around me; the latter happens most often. Now, at this point in my life, I am attempting to find what my interpretation is. What do I actually think about that book? What do really I think the significance or meaning of that painting is? For my interpretation leads to my expression.
4. Image
Manifestation of Imagination
I have always liked the idea of growing up. Personally, I was excited about the prospect of having my own apartment, having a dog, going to my job, and doing my thing (I can assure you I feel much differently now as I get closer and closer to graduating). However, I have not liked the idea of losing my childlike imagination.
I remember when I was young, my sister and I would play imaginary games. These included being pretending to be princesses, or ponies, and so on. One day, my mom told us both we would grow out of playing these sort of games and I vividly remember my sister and I adamantly crowing “No!” But, inevitably, we did grow out of those games and stopped playing them. Although I don’t expect adults to play these imaginary games in order to keep their childlike imagination, it would be nice if it was not a natural thing to let it go, or to evolve into a strictly logical mindset.
5. Craft
The Elegance of Workmanship
“We often confuse genius with mastery.”
That was the most significant quote I found in this chapter. I too, fell prey to the idea that if I had not found my “thing” and succeeded at it by the time I finished college, I had no chance at all at succeeding. I remember even in the past couple years watching the movie The Greatest Showman and seeing Zendaya effortlessly fly through the air and I was wondering why I didn’t have any remarkable or unique talents I was successful at.
However, that could be sorted under “genius.” Not everyone will be able to find their “thing” and become a genius at it; in fact, it is so rare that that is the reason we honor and admire prodigies so much. Mastery is something different entirely. I have just begun writing poetry in the past year, and I am no master, and especially not a genius, of writing poetry. But, it has become a form of worship and expression that I turn to, and a craft that I hope to hone until I feel as if I have mastered it.
6. Canvas
The Context of Art
Limitations are probably the biggest de-motivator for the creative mind. But when McManus gave his first example about being limited to a certain medium for an art project, I also felt differently. In my case, I feel like I need some limitations. I look at a blank canvas or a sheet of paper with the multitudes of art supplies and feel immense anxiety. I need some sort of direction to be able to start, whether it be through the medium or a theme.
But for the rest of the chapter, I resonated with not letting limitations stop you from doing something that you love. For my poetry, I feel inexperienced and always compare my work to others. Yet, when I embrace that my new and unique perspective brings something new to poetry is when I overreach those limitations and create something wonderful.
7. Masterpiece
A New Humanity
It is hard for me to see my life as a masterpiece or as a piece of artwork to be admired. I see myself as plain and interesting, with not much to offer. It’s still something that I’m working on and trying to not see myself that way. It is easy for me to look at other people and be in awe of their life and compare it to mine, but there is still a lot under the surface.
Each of us has something unique to bring. Our perspectives on life have the capacity to create beautiful expressions of ourselves and our passions. We, me included, just have to look past the fog that we place over our lives and see how it truly is: a unique life God created with amazing capabilities for creative expression.