In The Beginning

I’ve been teaching art classes for several years online and in person and the one common denominator among my newer students is thier anxiety of learning to be a starter. I often hear, ” I can’t draw a stick figure” or “I have never been good at art”. It’s usually the first thing I hear as we go around the room during introductions. It has honestly become one of my pet-peeves, therefore I address it from the beginning. I know it usually derives from anxiety but I often will hear it again and again when a student does not  know where we are going with the process or they look around and judge thier work against the others in the room.

31 And he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship. 32 to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, and silver, and bronze, 33 in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every skilled craft.

Exodos 35: 31-33

God has given us all we need to be creative in this life. We are created in His image and therefore are inherently creative. With the proof of the Word, I follow it with “Now we have to put in the work.” Evolving your art takes practice and a lot of it. You will need to practice the skills you have learned beyond the classroom.

Through your practice, you will experience many failures. This is usually when doubt comes creeping back in again. Failure is part of learning so try to embrace it. Have faith in God, and therefore yourself. Eventually, the very fear and anxiety you’ve had about art will turn to trust.

“Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.”

Proverbs 22:29

God wants us to be stewards of the gifts He has given us. Proverbs 22:29 shows us that God wants us to be skilled at our creative genre. Being skilled takes practice to develop the “muscle” of our growth. In time and through faith we develop our skill-sets into masterful works. So keep the faith and continue putting in the work. Lastly, remember to contribute your unique gifts to the body of Christ. We may think in the beginning that we have nothing to share but to the contrary, many people started where you have started. They need to see your courage and hear your story. Allow your creative journey to inspire others. If we were only to share our mastered works we would leave out those who are too intimidated to begin.