{Be Real} Being an Artist Isn’t Always Glamorous
Words sting, like really sting sometimes.
As an art major I have experienced several different kind of digs aimed maybe not to cut down, but they leave their marks either way. If it is not immediately recognized as intellectual, if you get so caught up in the emotion of a moment that you forget your words, and if it is misunderstood…then it is not important. It is seen as fluff, a pretend major, effortless work, and meaningless expenses.
The thing is as an artist we are so much more then JUST someone who thinks with the right side of their brain, we are part of the structure of society. We are the heart, and we are the eyes for we see things that go unseen and we feel with hearts that break for the multitudes of desolate people. As an artist you are given the unique ability to reach a person in a way that is completely unique.
On the first day of class in Art History my professor handed us a piece of paper filled with all the things an artist is-not to make us seem better then the doctor, the engineer, the politician, and the scientist- but to makes us realize that as art majors we do so much more then take art classes and draw/paint/design/etc all day.
Art is science, mathematics, foreign language, history, physical education, technology, and most importantly…it is art. And Tina Farrell says it most beautifully here
“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
Romans 12: 3-8 NIV
No one has the right to make what you do, and who you are any less important then what they do; and I do not have the right to think myself more important then them.
As you face this ‘not so glamorous’ aspect of artist life, you can hold onto these little bits of encouragement, and know that regardless of the understanding in your field of study by your peers, or even your family, the GOD who blessed you with that gift didn’t give it to you on accident.
