"Do not stray at will from nature, and do not think that you will be able to find
something better yourself, you will only be misled. For in truth art is to be
found in nature; whoever can pull it out, has it ... But the more accurately
your work in its forms resembles life, the better the work will seem. And this
is true. Therefore, never intend to make something better than God has
made possible for his creation. For your ability is powerless in comparison
with God’s creation". Durer.
"We are not engaged here with a plain naturalism that simply aims at the 'photographic' idea of depicting nature uncritically... There are artists, who can make good things through great knowledge and experience, from what comes from the heart, to depict what is truly beautiful". Rookmaarker.
There has been a whisper of spring in the air the last few days. Sunlight has been spilling though the doors and windows as the wind and rain has eased in measure, allowing thoughts of better and brighter days to be entertained. I actually managed to sit outside for a short time in the middle of the week, and enjoy the colours of the waking blooms as the sunshine warmed me. This is all very welcome after a very stormy and dark winter, and it's allowed me to begin to organize materials for the forthcoming 'tempest' exhibition in May, and to begin to display work on the net again after a very sparse season.
I received a very encouraging note yesterday from a fellow photographer regarding this. He wrote how delighted he was to find a photographer who "brings art to our craft". That was a very welcome dose of sunshine! Photographer's often discuss how technically competent a particular image is, but whilst I aim at good composition, my personal intent is to seek to include something in an image which 'speaks' of the inherent beauty of the person or location I'm seeking to capture. As Durer says about our delighting in the naturalness of God's good creation, so viable art, I suspect, must derive from and express images, whatever the medium, which open a way for us to re-connect with the true splendor of divine art; to relish and 'play' amidst those unspoiled plains of the untainted garden.
Christianity provides us with a wonderful set of tools and context in which to do this. The Christian is truly free to work as an artist in a fashion which allows love, joy, peace and goodness to be expressed as the work is fashioned, and to provide art which allows others to truly delight in all that is good and honorable and lovely (Galatians 5:22, Philippians 4:8). As Rookmaarker notes, this is the only true context or framework for 'christian' art - any other impositions are contrived and legalistic. The aim of art, then, is to bring a joy or realization regarding both truth and goodness - a pointing to the maker through reveling in His handiwork.
I hope that 2014 will provide a few more opportunities to do just that!
Images: Wonder. Model:Joceline. Happiness is. Model: Kari. Paint Play. Models: Loella, Magenta and Kari.
