Why is Making Art Important to Me?
I am not the most common type of person that goes for an art major. In fact, it is somewhat amazing that I am one in the first place. My mind tends to work very opposite from the mind of most people who decide to pursue art. I like math, I like things to fit together in a way that makes logical sense, I like structure, and I especially like it when there is only one solution to a problem. For the most part, art doesn't fit with what I just described (however, some of these ideas can indirectly be applied Formalism and that is probably why I appreciate it). For me, though, I will suddenly start to feel stressed or upset if I can't be doing something creative and unstructured. Yet, my mind fights with me and demands structure. It gets to the point where my best art is made when I don't think much about what I'm doing, and I just let myself make the work. This tension is hard to deal with at times, especially as an art major. Either way, my mind gets filled to the top with everything else and art can become a release for me.
The other side of it is that I believe I have been given a talent by God and in some ways it is my responsibility to refine this talent and use it to glorify Him. Art is a calling that I feel pulled towards. I feel that the way I can do this is by acknowledging that my talent is not my own and when showing my photographs of nature, making sure that it is understood that I am just representing God's original works and bringing them out for everyone to see.
The other side of it is that I believe I have been given a talent by God and in some ways it is my responsibility to refine this talent and use it to glorify Him. Art is a calling that I feel pulled towards. I feel that the way I can do this is by acknowledging that my talent is not my own and when showing my photographs of nature, making sure that it is understood that I am just representing God's original works and bringing them out for everyone to see.
Why Must I Make a Career Out of it?
As seen above, I have reasoning for why I feel the need to make art in the first place. But why must it be my career? First of all, while I may have more skill at another job (I considered doing Pharmacy), in the end it will be photography that I will be the happiest with. It is the most enjoyable practice I could think of and is not very likely for me to start hating my job and dreading work every day. Also, photography lines up the best with other things that I want in life. Such as being married and having children. I know numerous other women photographers who are also mothers. This career path would give me more time at home with my future children.
Second, I believe that not only does God call towards making art in general, but that He has also called me towards a career in it. Why He is calling me there is a mystery to me, but I feel that it is something that I must do.
Second, I believe that not only does God call towards making art in general, but that He has also called me towards a career in it. Why He is calling me there is a mystery to me, but I feel that it is something that I must do.