Are the things I draw morally objectionable?

[MademoiselleRue]

Thank you to everyone for all the replies, I appreciate them.

I’m not art expert, but it looks like you are quite talented. Do you have an audience for such things ? On a practical basis, you might find more customers with more popular subjects.

Well, I’m not selling my art, I just draw for leisure and because it helps me. I post some drawings on an online art community, and here is one of my galleries: ratemydrawings.com/user/annamarie
And I will consider the suggestion on working a contrast between good and evil into my work. I’m often uncertain/uncomfortable about putting my faith into my work, as you, TheRealJuliane and KathrynAnn have suggested, because for one, I don’t feel strong enough in my faith to know I’m expressing it honestly and not just for “showing it off.”

It’s not morally wrong, no, but a lot of people (myself included, I admit) would find it a bit strange. You are an excellent artist however, and the beauty of the work outshone the macabre aspect for me. Do you know of any particular reason you are fascinated with such things? I must say, I am a bit concerned whenever I see things like this, because when I used to be interested in such things, I was not in the best of mental states. However, that does not mean that I think you or anyone who likes this stuff is crazy or anything; I’ve just had bad experiences with it.

I understand what you are saying, about the mental states…I can relate to the unhappiness I sense behind much macabre work. For me, creating art is primarily a way to express and cope with things like depression, anger, hopelessness, and I convey those emotions best through art with a macabre strain, I guess.

littlenothing, don’t worry- I’m not at all offended. You’ve got some right, and some wrong, but I really appreciate you taking time to consider my work, and besides, I enjoy hearing different interpretations. Like MyaKey said, it is thrilling! …You said I am “skirting the edge of decent,” which I have been told before. I guess that’s part of why I question the moral wholesomeness of my art. I am conscious of these boundaries when I draw, but I often find myself pushing as far as I can go short of breaking them.
gh4, to answer, all my work is basically hand-drawn.

 

[MademoiselleRue]

Let me tell you something; people don’t come here with questions like that because they actually think there’s something wrong. They come here with the FEAR that something is wrong. She said that her family has been calling her work all sorts of negative things for quite some time; that’s going to have a bad impact on their outlook. Family has a lot of weight on shaping opinions. and NOT A DARN THING is wrong, so the poor OP should keep doing what she’s doing AS SHE’S DOING IT and let her fears be at ease, without you rigorists trying to tell her to stifle her creativity.

Source- personal experience

If it wasn’t for my family’s remarks, I would be less aware of how people might have issues with my work. Frankly, I’ve almost lost touch with what might be considered “scary” or not, after years of immersing myself in such media…Also, MyaKey, the link to the article on horror was indeed interesting, and reassuring. I’m glad that you understand that I can’t just change my style and way of drawing. “…an artist has to like the way their image looks to even be interested in it.” This exactly.

I am however, really willing to read all your differing opinions and consider them. I feel better that most of you don’t find it morally wrong. I was just thinking that drawing these things, and viewing them, causes me to dwell on and perpetuate the negative issues that draw me to these topics; and so this might somehow be opposed to the Christian virtue of hope.

Strong atheists tend to like my work…and I theirs. I mentioned that I enjoy looking at macabre work, particularly on the net, and I frequently have the problem of running into occult-themed works, some of which not only mock and multilate Christianity but promote the opposite. Sometimes I worry I run the risk that I endanger my faith, and soul, with my interest in dark art.

 

[mazsa]

As one who’s always loved to at least attempt to create art, I very much like what I saw. It’s closer to the darker side of our natures, the part that shivers when the night wind blows. We don’t always shiver because the wind is cold, but because it’s eerie. What might the darkness be hiding, what noises might the sound of the wind be covering? I don’t find it morally objectionable. Ads in print, on the web, on TV…whole other story.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

If it wasn’t for my family’s remarks, I would be less aware of how people might have issues with my work. Frankly, I’ve almost lost touch with what might be considered “scary” or not, after years of immersing myself in such media…Also, MyaKey, the link to the article on horror was indeed interesting, and reassuring. I’m glad that you understand that I can’t just change my style and way of drawing. “…an artist has to like the way their image looks to even be interested in it.” This exactly.

I am however, really willing to read all your differing opinions and consider them. I feel better that most of you don’t find it morally wrong. I was just thinking that drawing these things, and viewing them, causes me to dwell on and perpetuate the negative issues that draw me to these topics; and so this might somehow be opposed to the Christian virtue of hope.

Strong atheists tend to like my work…and I theirs. I mentioned that I enjoy looking at macabre work, particularly on the net, and I frequently have the problem of running into occult-themed works, some of which not only mock and multilate Christianity but promote the opposite. Sometimes I worry I run the risk that I endanger my faith, and soul, with my interest in dark art.

I would caution you not to use macabre art as a type of “artistic porn.” I suspect that despair and depression are increased by your pursuit of this type of visual material. Your artwork is not something that is out of your own control. Why not pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help you steer your talent in a direction that will please God?

 

[Veronica97]

I agree with Julianne. While you are quite talented, I think that especially the one with the little girl losing her top could be problematic. There are lots of young people who are into Anime and I think some of your artwork could be a temptation for them. I honestly think the world has enough “dark” and perhaps you use your talent to bring some “light” into it.

 

[wcknight]

It sounds like you are quite young, and sometimes that is a very difficult time to get through. I hope your life brightens considerably and maybe your art will reflect that as well. But even if your outlook doesn’t appreciably improve initially, inserting some more upbeat elements may help pull you out of the douldrums.

The real world can be a scary brutal place, but I like to look at the brighter side of things. Although I do love the dungeons and dragons sort of stuff. I really like the fantasy art stuff by Frazetta. I don’t have any posters or stuff by him. We have a bunch of stuff from other artists like Moskowitz or Chirstian Risse Lassen or Michel Delacroix, nothing too expensive.

Have you ever considered a career in art, or it is too early to look into that ?

 

[MademoiselleRue]

I would caution you not to use macabre art as a type of “artistic porn.” I suspect that despair and depression are increased by your pursuit of this type of visual material. Your artwork is not something that is out of your own control. Why not pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help you steer your talent in a direction that will please God?

What do you mean by “artistic porn”? The process of drawing what expresses my mood is very cathartic while I’m drawing it. It brings a sense of relief. Do you think my current artistic direction is displeasing to God?

Veronica97, I’m not sure what anime has to do with this…?

It sounds like you are quite young, and sometimes that is a very difficult time to get through. I hope your life brightens considerably and maybe your art will reflect that as well. But even if your outlook doesn’t appreciably improve initially, inserting some more upbeat elements may help pull you out of the douldrums.

The real world can be a scary brutal place, but I like to look at the brighter side of things. Although I do love the dungeons and dragons sort of stuff. I really like the fantasy art stuff by Frazetta. I don’t have any posters or stuff by him. We have a bunch of stuff from other artists like Moskowitz or Chirstian Risse Lassen or Michel Delacroix, nothing too expensive.

Have you ever considered a career in art, or it is too early to look into that ?

Uhm well, I’m 19 xD Not the youngest. My outlook is already much brighter than it was 3-4 years ago I haven’t heard of those artists…actually I’m not very knowledgeable about art, I tend to just view images for inspiration without really noting names. Nah, I could never be good enough at drawing to make a living off it, haha.

 

[Veronica97]

There’s nothing wrong with anime and it’s especially appealing to a younger audience. I do know from personal experience that teenage boys enjoy looking at the anime that depicts “curvy” characters that may be showing cleavage, etc. This may not be your intent at all–I’m just saying that the images COULD tempt one. Also, there is just SO much violence in our culture that blood/gore has ceased to be shocking. No one means to be insulting–you obviously have talent and your intent was innocent since you don’t really know why you draw these things. You asked on an internet forum, and so we’ve answered with varying opinions. Now it’s up to YOU to pray about it and use your own discernment. Perhaps seek direction from a good priest.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

What do you mean by “artistic porn”? The process of drawing what expresses my mood is very cathartic while I’m drawing it. It brings a sense of relief. Do you think my current artistic direction is displeasing to God?

Veronica97, I’m not sure what anime has to do with this…?

Uhm well, I’m 19 xD Not the youngest. My outlook is already much brighter than it was 3-4 years ago I haven’t heard of those artists…actually I’m not very knowledgeable about art, I tend to just view images for inspiration without really noting names. Nah, I could never be good enough at drawing to make a living off it, haha.

I was responding to the way you described how you view others’ art and the darker aspects, being drawn to it but also recognizing that it may not be healthy for you.

This quote specifically:

*Strong atheists tend to like my work…and I theirs. I mentioned that I enjoy looking at macabre work, particularly on the net, and I frequently have the problem of running into occult-themed works, some of which not only mock and multilate Christianity but promote the opposite. Sometimes I worry I run the risk that I endanger my faith, and soul, with my interest in dark art.
*

 

[wcknight]

Moskowitz does cartoon type art…my favorite is a pyramid of penguins stacked on top of each other.

Michel Delacroix (the modern artist not the classical one) does french street scenes, you see his stuff in family restaurants.

Lassan does the colorful marine sea creatures with half ocean and half horizon. All three are very popular artists, you see their posters in art supply stores.

Frazetta does the Conan the barbarian stuff, and fantasy creatures like dragons and mythological creatures. He puts out a calendar each year with his artwork.

 

[JNdoum]

Nah, I could never be good enough at drawing to make a living off it, haha.

That’s ridiculous! Your stuff is amazing! You could totally make a living off of it, if you wanted. However, you might want to keep it more of a hobby or something, I don’t know how you feel about your art. I’m a tad of an artist myself, though not quite as good as you are.

I understand how it can be to be drawn to a certain medium. I myself love drawing people, and prefer not to use colour in my drawing, and use a sort of sketchy style. I think it would be near impossible for me to change my style, but if your interest in darkness ever gets concerning to you, I would try different subjects. Generally I try to find an image I really like, and just draw it. Once I drew a pig wearing boots (not my best work, but…).

I doubt the whole dark art thing would be a major issue. It seems to me that many of your darker drawing have a much deeper meaning, based on the titles and the imagery used. True, I don’t get all of them (I don’t understand the Dear Lady Carnality, one), but I can tell they weren’t just dark for the heck of it. As long as your faith is a major part of your life, I don’t think art should ever pose a conflict. Keep up the awesome work!

 

[Gods_Peace]

Yes they are. If you want to hear the truth they are very disturbing. I pray I never have to look at them again . Try drawing something in a more positive light, although I know you are probably going to overlook this comment.

 

[littlenothing]

MmeRue: thanks for the link. I love Mourning and Sketch II the most. You’re quite good at conveying emotions, and pain, confusion and loss seem to be your best efforts, in my estimation. Mourning was so great. I loved the juxtaposition between the living person, who was focused on the skull, and the dead person, who was focused outward. Great rendering of someone who can’t let go.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

Yes they are. If you want to hear the truth they are very disturbing. I pray I never have to look at them again . Try drawing something in a more positive light, although I know you are probably going to overlook this comment.

Sorry but posts like this make me gag. I’ve seen worse things than what the OP posted and there’s nothing wrong with venting through your talent.

I’m no artist but as a writer, I’ve done something similar. Feelings of anger, hate, and my own internal cries for justice have managed to get a nice long, mix of monologue and bloody action scenes out of me.

Telling people to draw something more positive when the mood doesn’t suit it does nothing but make a mockery out of someone’s misery.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Strong atheists tend to like my work…and I theirs. I mentioned that I enjoy looking at macabre work, particularly on the net, and I frequently have the problem of running into occult-themed works, some of which not only mock and multilate Christianity but promote the opposite. Sometimes I worry I run the risk that I endanger my faith, and soul, with my interest in dark art.

Dear MademoiselleRue, I was thinking again this morning about your art…Your statement here about how strong atheists tend to like your work…I think that does say a lot about your message. If it reinforces atheism somehow, yet turns other Christians away, is that something you want to continue to do? I know that if I were writing books, and I found out that atheists just LOVED my work but Christians wouldn’t touch it, I would question my own morals and values. What I believe about life and God HAS to shine through in my work and my life somehow. If I was sending the wrong message, I’d be considering the reasons why.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

Dear MademoiselleRue, I was thinking again this morning about your art…Your statement here about how strong atheists tend to like your work…I think that does say a lot about your message. If it reinforces atheism somehow, yet turns other Christians away, is that something you want to continue to do? I know that if I were writing books, and I found out that atheists just LOVED my work but Christians wouldn’t touch it, I would question my own morals and values. What I believe about life and God HAS to shine through in my work and my life somehow. If I was sending the wrong message, I’d be considering the reasons why.

… you don’t know much about post-modern literary thought do you?

Atheists can read anything and have it reinforce their beliefs. We Christians do the same. Frankly, it only proves that the whole discipline of interpretation and critique ends up boiling all the way down to opinion. You can rationalize it and have it published on a mag. But in the end, it’s just an opinion and is not binding upon anyone else.

If my work reinforced atheism or attracted a lot of atheists, I would simply shrug.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

… you don’t know much about post-modern literary thought do you?

Atheists can read anything and have it reinforce their beliefs. We Christians do the same. Frankly, it only proves that the whole discipline of interpretation and critique ends up boiling all the way down to opinion. You can rationalize it and have it published on a mag. But in the end, it’s just an opinion and is not binding upon anyone else.

If my work reinforced atheism or attracted a lot of atheists, I would simply shrug.

And you…are rude.



What is your degree in, youngling?

P.S. - My comment was to the OP, and for her consideration. Your opinion is your opinion, but she asked the question.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

And you…are rude.

For asking an honest question? Man, and they call me sensitive.

What is your degree in, youngling?

P.S. - My comment was to the OP, and for her consideration. Your opinion is your opinion, but she asked the question.

I have a degree in English Language and Literature. What I said isn’t opinion. It’s a fact. Again, what do you know of any school of literary critique that’s past post-modernism? Ever heard of Barthes? Fish? Reader-response theories?

If not, it’s not surprising you’d put needless emphasis on how a certain minority would view your work.

 

[MademoiselleRue]

Dear MademoiselleRue, I was thinking again this morning about your art…Your statement here about how strong atheists tend to like your work…I think that does say a lot about your message. If it reinforces atheism somehow, yet turns other Christians away, is that something you want to continue to do? I know that if I were writing books, and I found out that atheists just LOVED my work but Christians wouldn’t touch it, I would question my own morals and values. What I believe about life and God HAS to shine through in my work and my life somehow. If I was sending the wrong message, I’d be considering the reasons why.

Yes, come to think of it, that is actually a large part of why I’ve questioned my art. I just didn’t quite find the right words, and you clarified them for me. I don’t know if Christians are turned away by my work, but I’ve noticed atheist artists, particularly those with darker tastes, do tend to favor my work.

On a related point, I remember this one incident, that left me feeling like I had somehow failed to uphold Catholicism’s image. I was really close to this artist online, an atheist, but not a “strong” one; she’s open-minded and generous, and has never once spoken against my faith. Once she briefly expressed an interest in Christianity and the concept of God. Knowing I’m Catholic, she asked me how I could draw the things I do and believe in God: “So I don’t mean this to sound rude or judgmental at all, I’m simply just curious… but for someone such as yourself, who draws depressing things, seems down a lot of the time and has depressing quote in your about me, how can you believe in god?..Only people I know who believe in god are like, very upbeat, zestful for life and do everything ‘right’ to have a good after life or whatever. The kind of suicidal attitude sounds kind of sinful, no? … I’m sorry. You know I’m not asking this to be rude or mean, though I’m terrible at wording myself.”

I didn’t expect a thread about my drawings to be so controversial, and I’m sorry for any contention I may have caused…LostWanderer, I think that the type of audience a work attracts reflects at least something about the work. I found the TheRealJuliane’s comments thoughtful and helpful in thinking out my concern about my art.

Also, JNdoum and littlenothing, thank you both for the kind compliments.

 

[magdelaine]

In a world where abortion is an everyday occurrence, I see lots of room for dark art.

I think the only caveat I would make on your art is to be clear on your intention in creating it. In other words, are you trying to make a point about how girls feel about themselves when living in a pornified world or are you simply using the mix of violent imagery and girls for the shock value? Is it more about a feeling than anything?

I remember seeing an art show where the artist made these beautiful paintings of little girls in pink camisoles posed erotically with handguns. (Oh yeah, and I forgot to mention they had clown makeup.) It was totally about exploitation and shock and it was pure garbage as far as I was concerned. I don’t think it’s healthy spiritually to go there in your art (I’m not saying you do, only that it’s a possibility).

Mind I am not saying that others have to be able to *see *your intention, but just that you are crystal clear on what that intention is when you work. Like others pointed out, there are lots of amazing christian artworks out there that are truly dark. Durer’s death prints, Heronimus Bosch, and the dream paintings of Goya come to mind but there are many more examples out there.