Why I Make Christian Art
Recently, I have had to evaluate myself and the direction I want to take my art. For a while, I have been making art simply to make it, not creating something that I could feel was truly mine. I would get an idea and practice a new technique, but the final product always felt as though something was missing. Make no mistake, I was still happy with the art I produced, but I always felt like I should be doing more. That I should be aiming higher. Then, as if by mistake, one drawing changed the trajectory of my art career forever.
Pride vs. Humility
One day, I had an idea. An idea to create a series of 7 drawings, each with the seven deadly sins contrasted with their antidote, the 7 heavenly virtues. To start this series (Of which I have still only made one), I decided to draw the chief sin vs the chief virtue: pride and humility. This piece of Christian art ignited something in my soul.
The story, the reverence to something higher, the intricate detail that I could put into it, all elements working together in perfect unity to create what I consider to be my greatest drawing to date. From that point on, I knew I had to dedicate myself to producing art of the same kind.
What Christian Art Means to Me
Christian art isn’t just a genre to me; it is a calling. It is a way to honor God, and push my skills, growing, learning, and creating beauty in the world in the process. It means a way to dedicate myself to something higher, and I believe that has been further reflected in the quality of my art.
It is also a way to do some good. Christian art, after all, should inspire others. Inspire to do good works, inspire others to deepen their faith, represent it well, and run the race. This is what I strive to do.
How Do I Make Christian Art?
As a Christian artist, I take steps before every piece I create. For traditional pieces, I research and draw a Bible verse on the back of every painting and drawing I make. Since I have begun to do more digital drawing recently, I am in the process of refining my own process for adding a verse to each design. For the composition of the piece, I try to have different components representing something greater. In the example before, it was exploring the nature of sin and virtue, how to do right and combat evil.
It may also be simpler, like my latest design, where I drew the Archangel Michael holding up a crucifix and striking through a skull that represents the devil. This St. Michael drawing represents how the battle has already been won, that true power comes from above. This was the first of many digital Christian drawings that I plan to create.
What Do I Want My Christian Art to Accomplish?
Like I have stated before: “My mission is to create powerful art that explores man’s relationship with God, equips the soul for life’s battles, and deepens the human experience.” This is the driving force behind what I want to accomplish. I want to provide Iconic Christian art that acts as a visual anchor, equipping modern believers to stand boldly in their faith in the midst of life’s battles. This means creating bold, eye-catching art that speaks to something deeper in our souls, and providing that art to others so that they can live out their faith with boldness, confidence, and have an icon to aspire to.
This is why I sell prints so others can have a nice piece of art in their homes to focus their daily lives, and why I have begun to sell clothing, so others can represent their faith and run the race well. This is what I want my art to accomplish. If you want to support me in this process, I encourage you to browse my art and check out my shop if you are moved by something.