I sometimes wonder what Jesus thinks about my artwork. Is He pleased with the messages being conveyed? Does He like how I am using the gifts with which God the father has blessed me? Famous Impressionist artist, Edgar Degas, once said, “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” So more importantly, do my artworks make others clearly see what Jesus wants them to see? Is the heart of Jesus expressed through them?
You’ve probably heard the saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” As a junior/senior high school art teacher for many years, I know this is true. I have seen how visual images can communicate and inspire my students. But if a picture is worth a thousand words, what about an image accompanied by words as well? I believe the meaning multiplies tenfold when the spoken or written story behind an artwork, told by the artist, accompanies the image.
Now this question goes to those of us in the body of Christ gifted in visual art: “Are we making the most of our gifts to reach people with the love of Jesus and the truth of the Gospel message?” I believe that the answer to this question is no.
If this is true, why is it that the visual arts aren’t more utilized in the body of Christ to help build His church, make disciples, and to share the love of Christ with others?
This under utilization of visual art in the body of Christ doesn’t apply to all Christian artists. Of course there are many wonderful and gifted Christian artists out there sharing their work, their stories, and motivating others. I know many of you are using your artistic gifts in your church and you are a huge blessing to the body of Christ. Some of you make crafts or props for vacation bible school, others lead an art related ministry through your church, and some of you very talented artists even paint inspiring images on the stage during sermons. Don’t get me wrong, I feel it is truly important and meaningful when artists volunteer, when the visual arts are utilized, and when Christian artists are supported inside the church. However, are we somehow missing the bigger picture here?
How are we using visual art to reach others OUTSIDE of our church walls? How would someone who doesn’t know Jesus, but who truly needs His love and the redemption He offers, be inspired by Christian themed artwork if they don’t ever see it?
I’d like to tell you about my artwork, Heart of the Redeemer, seen below. It was created several years before the plan for the Redeemer’s Heart website was given to me by Holy Spirit. I happened to go outside to my backyard on a fall day, and when I looked up, I saw a cloud formation like nothing I had ever seen before. It was truly unique and amazing! It looked like rolling waves across the ocean. All I could think about was how God’s creation is so awesome! I got my camera and took some pictures, one of which is shown above. At the time, I was teaching myself how to use Adobe Photoshop, the well known digital image editing software, so I decided to use the cloud images in a piece of digital art. I experimented with copying and mirroring the cloud images in Photoshop to create an interesting symmetric scene. The dramatic formation of the clouds inspired me to use brighter colors and to include Christ on the cross in the center of the image. To me, Jesus’ death and resurrection is the most moving and dramatic event in all of history, so I tried to capture this drama and emotion in my artwork.
Could it be, that even back then, God had a plan for me, a plan for this artwork, and a plan for this website that is now called Redeemer’s Heart? You see, the subject of my artwork IS our Redeemer’s heart. What better image to show His heart than His ultimate sacrifice of dying on the cross to take the punishment for our sins so that we might have eternal life! The love Jesus has for each one of us is truly awe inspiring!
Scripture states in 1 John 3:1, “See what kind of love the Father has given us: We are called God’s children–and that is what we are!” And Romans 8:38-39 says, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” NIV
In conclusion, I have some questions for you to think about. Now that you have read the story behind my artwork, are you more inspired by it? Did my words add to the impact of the image? Do you think there are artworks by other artists that could help remind you of biblical truths or of Christ’s love? Would reading the inspiring stories behind Christian artworks in future Art & Soul posts help and encourage you in your faith? Would you be willing to share some of the posts with others, even non-believers, who would be encouraged by them as well? Have you created a Christian themed artwork that could teach or inspire others, but few have seen it or know the story behind it? Are you a Christian artist who has never created Christian themed artwork, and if so, what would inspire you to do so? I would love to hear your answers to these questions and your thoughts about this post in your comments below.
In His Love,
Elana,
Elana Brownfield
Digital artist and founder of Redeemer's Heart