Artistic talent and glorifying God

[jojomonster]

Hi,
So I am a progressional comic book artist (By the grace of God this is my fulltime job)
And I am having a little problem with going full steam ahead at improving my skill and honing it. Its not that I am not motivated but I am just not sure where I am supposed to go with this talent and career I have in comics.
But lately I have a strong desire (almost obession) in sketching and learning more than I have had in years.
So I guess my question is should I just keep on improving and "sharpening my sword" until God choses to use it for his purpose?
Does he get glory when we hone our skills?

 

[faroukfarouk]

Hi,
So I am a progressional comic book artist (By the grace of God this is my fulltime job)
And I am having a little problem with going full steam ahead at improving my skill and honing it. Its not that I am not motivated but I am just not sure where I am supposed to go with this talent and career I have in comics.
But lately I have a strong desire (almost obession) in sketching and learning more than I have had in years.
So I guess my question is should I just keep on improving and "sharpening my sword" until God choses to use it for his purpose?
Does he get glory when we hone our skills?

I'm not an artist, but your job/vocation seems very interesting. I think there would be strong parallels with what you do and tattoo art: parlors often have portfolios of artwork which often consists of simplified drawings similar to the ones you do (a lot of Christians find faith based ink to be effective in witness); these can usually be consulted without obligation, if you visit a parlor.

 

[grandvizier1006]

Good topic to bring up! I myself love writing stuff--I'll admit it's mostly fanfiction but I have vague plans for an original story. I often wonder, "How am I glorifying God?" And quite frankly sometimes I don't think I am. I'm just writing for fun, although I try not to encourage something sinful in my writing. Now, though, as a Christian I try to write in a way that reflects my faith. I don't have to be up-front about it.

Personally, I think some people exaggerate when they say that EVERYTHING they do glorifies God. I think the only real way to do that is make whatever it is that you can, and have it subtly reflect some part of your Christian faith. Everything we create as human beings comes from our minds, and because it comes from our minds it reflects our beliefs and ideas. If you're a Christian then it stands to reason that your work--assuming that you're a legit Christian and not just saying that you are--will glorify God anyway, even if people don't really notice. But just be sure to give God the credit for your abilities--he GAVE you your mind, after all.

Just don't be referencing it over and over like Tim Tebow or people will think it's just an act

 

[faroukfarouk]

I think it can be good when Christians go for an art career.

 

[Levette64]

My major was Fine Arts in college and I presently have a studio set up in my home, although lack of time, and other things often get in the way, like work.

I work in an office, so my job has nothing to do with art. But this is something I think about a lot.

I have been praying about it, how to use my talents for God.

And I think I have come up with something, which I am still praying about and I know if God wants me to pursue it then He will open doors.

I am thinking about volunteering at a local organization to teach art to underprivileged children. This organization has classes (volunteer based) on things like how to budget, do taxes, etc, but I thought it might be beneficial for them to have something besides.

There is also the question of supplies and space to do it. So I am still praying.

As for you, continue to practice, learn as much as you can. Sometimes I still take courses on line, there are many free ones. Coursera had a good one I took.

 

[LilLamb219]

Hi,
So I am a progressional comic book artist (By the grace of God this is my fulltime job)
And I am having a little problem with going full steam ahead at improving my skill and honing it. Its not that I am not motivated but I am just not sure where I am supposed to go with this talent and career I have in comics.
But lately I have a strong desire (almost obession) in sketching and learning more than I have had in years.
So I guess my question is should I just keep on improving and "sharpening my sword" until God choses to use it for his purpose?
Does he get glory when we hone our skills?

God will use it for His purposes whether we realize it or not.

Go ahead and learn more if you feel it will help your art. There are some communities that have centers that offer art lessons. Life drawing is probably your best bet.

 

[Ada Lovelace]

Hi,
So I am a progressional comic book artist (By the grace of God this is my fulltime job)
And I am having a little problem with going full steam ahead at improving my skill and honing it. Its not that I am not motivated but I am just not sure where I am supposed to go with this talent and career I have in comics.
But lately I have a strong desire (almost obession) in sketching and learning more than I have had in years.
So I guess my question is should I just keep on improving and "sharpening my sword" until God choses to use it for his purpose?
Does he get glory when we hone our skills?

It's fantastic you have been gifted with artistic talent! You might want to explore whether there are affordable art schools or classes available at community colleges near you where you can practice your skills. In addition to learning from them, I find that I'm more disciplined with my art when I'm taking a class because I'm expected to complete a specific painting or achieve a goal in a specified time frame. The accountability and structure of it is motivating. Orson Welles once wrote that "the enemy of art is the absence of limitations." I think it's very true.

You could also look for opportunities to use your talents to serve others. I've been involved in several beautification projects with other artists. We've painted murals at inner-city schools, in a nursing home, at a gang intervention center, and several other places.

Keep working on your craft. I participate in a few local art festivals every year, and the blue ribbon painter that has awed me the most is a man who began painting in his 50s, and then just kept at it.

And yes, I believe we glorify God when we reflect back the gifts he has given to us.

 

[chandraclaws]

I've also wondered how I can glorify God with the art I do. A talented Christian Artist named Sara Joseph has put together a good website about doing that.

http://www.christian-artist-resource.com/

 

[Tomm]

Certainly it is worthwhile to sharpen your skills.
Currently, in the comics market, most of the comic books are bad. And the rest are not beneficial to readers either.

So what we need is more comic book authors with Christian faith.

 

[Peace Keeper]

Any talents we have I think can be used for God's Glory. It is our decision to honor God with our talents. For example, I love writing, I used to focus on writing depressing things and such, nothing really pointing to God until I grew stronger in my faith, then I decided I wanted to be very careful with what I wrote, things that pointed to God, even if it did have some sadness in them, like me crying out to God for help, rather than just complaining and such. Same thing can be done with drawings, etc. I would love writing and illustrating books, I have a good idea for a children's book. Whatever you do, make sure it would be pleasing to God.