The Artist, The Art, and the Admirer

Have you ever been to an art museum? People of all kinds walk through looking at the artwork on display. They come from every background, every religion, social status and every level of education. Each comes for their own reason. Each views the art from their own perspective. Each has their own level of understanding and appreciation of what they are seeing.

First there are those who come to the museum and view the art because they need to fill their day. They are bored and have never been to the museum before. They think that they should maybe check it out while they have “nothing more important” to do! They are very curious about the attraction that so many have to art and want to see for theirselves…. because they have “nothing better” to do!

Second are those who recently discovered an appreciation for art and are hungry to see and learn more. They go to the museum to see more of this new found attraction. They hunger to “see” more and although it is a true hunger it is easily satisfied and soon subsides! After a while they merely admire the art as they pass it in daily life. They glance at it and remember a time when they thought they really loved it! They reminisce about how they were going to be an artist one day. Then they allowed themselves to be discouraged by the piece of art they created that no one seemed to get except them.

Third are those who have a true love of art but gaze upon it for hours and nothing more. They stand for what would seem like forever to others… soaking in the “full” picture before them. Then they move on to the next wonderful creation they find hiding in a corner and once again they stare forever! They gaze upon the object of their love but will never truly possess any artwork of there own. For whatever reason they will not make the effort required to gain possession of their own artwork! They will never be more than a “lover of art.”

Fourth are those who desire to know everything about the art and its origin and the process through which it was created. They dig into libraries and read articles, maybe even take a class or two at some art school or university in an attempt to understand the art more. They desire to own the ability to make their own art. Not for the glory of the viewer or simply the creation of the art but rather for there own glory. The glory of showing off their artistry. The glory of being a famous artist. They will never own the love of art that resides in the hearts of those who seek after it and want to produce it for the enjoyment and fullfillment of others. Nor will they know the joy that comes from introducing “art” to a non-lover of art and watching them blossum into an artist themselves.

Fifth are those who have studied art, have a passion for it, seek after everything related to art and desire to become an artist though they lack the ability or gifts to do so. They struggle to grasp something they can not have and become angry inside. They lose sight of the art for the pursuit is more important and all consuming! They miss the true love they could feel for the art because of their unmanageable desire to make art of their own. What they could have done if they had only allowed the art to flow instead of trying to force it out will never be known!

Sixth are those who have the ability, obtain knowledge about it and seek it more and more with a true loving desire! They are filled with an ever growing passion that drives them to seek and consume all they can find that deals with art and its masterpieces in any way shape or form! They desire to lose themselves in the art and to become the art, in a sense, so that they can spread art throughout this bland, dark, and void world we live in! They then eventually become a true artist through their full submission to art itself! They create more art for the world to enjoy and lead new seekers to the world of art by way of their “works” of art. They grow as they travel the roads of the art world. They mature and produce art of their own that is truly enjoyed by all those who “gaze” upon it. They also encourage others and inspire them to forge on in their efforts to become an artist for whatever reason they may be seeking it themselves! Hopefully steering them in the right direction by their example and nuturing the seeds that are planted through that long and difficult process. When the eyes of the world are upon you the efforts to live the life of a true artist must be increased!

Seventh is the artist himself. The one who created “art” in itself! He gives the inspiration to others to become an artist. He shows the way to do it, the way not to do it and leaves nothing unsaid. He displays the way of art through His every action and is art Himself. He is God! He created every work of art that has ever existed or will ever come into existence when He created the first artist!

When gazing upon a masterpiece most only see a beautiful painting. What do you see! The Holy Bible, the Word of God is the most beautiful painting ever painted, the most heartbreaking love story ever told, the most uplifting self help book ever published, the most exact rule book ever written, the wisest advice column ever printed, the most dramatic-suspence-filled-thriller movie script ever drafted, the softest most soothing music ever composed and the most hopeful message ever sent! God is art, He is everything and His Son Jesus Christ is the only way to see His “private collection”!!! I want in! I want to see what artworks hang on the walls in heaven! How about you?