Oh I actually have a well rehearsed response to that. Just say the word and I’ll write it out here when I have the spare time.
I recommend you do some studying on the topics I just cited. What you’re describing is actually an illusion. From my experience, I’ve seen a lot of things undergo wild and wacky interpretations of the same object but from different perspectives. You are free to express yourself but the sort of audience you attract isn’t so much in your control as you’d like.
Hey now I’m all for drawing your emotions, but these pictures are morally objectional if you ask me. When I get an erection I don’t draw naked women. That would be morally objectional wouldn’t it? I am a writer too so I know that (at least with me) 95% of my writing is from my emotions. My friend was making a mockery of the person’s misery, he was trying to help raise the person’s spirits. Drawing pictures like these really isn’t a good idea because they are really bad for your psyche, or at least mine.
What would you say? I simply said that just because I believe in God doesn’t mean that I can’t find life difficult at times, and I use my art to help me during these times, all the while knowing from my Catholic faith that, in the end, everything wil be okay.Oh I actually have a well rehearsed response to that. Just say the word and I’ll write it out here when I have the spare time.
I recommend you do some studying on the topics I just cited. What you’re describing is actually an illusion. From my experience, I’ve seen a lot of things undergo wild and wacky interpretations of the same object but from different perspectives. You are free to express yourself but the sort of audience you attract isn’t so much in your control as you’d like.
I respect your opinion that my work is morally objectionable. Unfortunately I don’t quite get the connection between having an erection and drawing naked women? Drawing nudes isn’t necessarily sinful, though it might be an occasion of sin for some people…As I said earlier, I feel uncomfortable handling religious subjects, because I’m afraid it would be kind of hypocritical… Did your rap glorify killing people? I personally didn’t see my art as promoting or glorfying any immoral behavior. I’m not asking people to hang themselves on nooses because I drew a noose, or to kill birds because I drew dead birds. The noose was included to express despair and sadness, and the birds, for me, symbolized an inability to rise above a trying situation.
Remember folks, the question was not about style or ability as an artist. In the plastic arts, there can be a very high degree of technical and stylistic ability and great issues with the morality of the work. Visual arts are not necessarily self explanatory either so one must use great consideration in the creative process. The question, presumably about these images in particular, was about their morality. I don’t think there is a steadfast rule in many cases. Obviously if something is pornographic, sexually graphic in a way that demeans the person, depicts the taking of pleasure in causing violence, than it’s morally wrong. You mention dismemberment. That is disturbing and I think that could be a moral concern in your art, again, as it sounds as though it demeans, degrades and objectifies the human body in a violent way. The occult, the demonic, apart from a theological context, presents moral issues. If you are looking at art in the context of your faith, you have a responsibility to those who view your art not to present stumbling blocks to their faith and chastity. Your talents are God given and should glorify God or put into question those things which detract from the glory of God. As a Catholic and an artist and poet myself, the powers of my creativity are not license to create whatever I will, but what I should. As a Christian, I don’t believe that art need simply be a place to give voice to every thought that gives me trouble. Some things are best resolved with our Lord. Use your art to give hope, to demonstrate hope, and show light in a world of darkness. Never let your art and ability be an offense against the hope, mercy and beauty of God.
I would say that such an image of Christianity, like a lot of atheistic and secular perceptions, is but a caricature, a straw man.
That’s pretty much the whole point. Why worry? The way people interpret your work is not within your hands. The best you can do is express how you feel and just leave it at that. Justifying your own take will only distract you from doing more. Believe me, I’ve walked down that path. It’s not worth it.
Fair question.
Apples and oranges. Lust is a sin. Sadness and anger deserve only either resolution, comfort, or release, not condemnation.
You don’t raise spirits by telling a person to do away with the one thing that helps them cope. Heck, you try telling me this without so much as attempting to see why I’m angry, I’ll be angry at you as well. It demonstrates a severe lack of tact and empathy.
Yes. YOU.
What do you mean by this? Giving a creature horns and bat wings does not necessarily make it evil or demonic. A character conjuring a glowing pentagram before him is not necessarily an occult image.
What do you mean ‘in the context of your faith’? Not everyone views art within such a context. What they see is what they’ll digest and critique on their own terms, not the creator’s.
Ah but it’s that same emphasis on those concepts of hope and light that becomes abused and distorted into justifying delusions. A balance must be struck. I’m sure prayer helps in resolution (I’ve experienced this myself) but something has to deal with the immediate need. People who use art and literature to express that should have a right to an outlet. In fact, it’s one more demonstration that these are gifts from God.
Indeed this is the proof of what I just spoke of in my earlier post. Already you have one person here who doesn’t understand what your art meant. Multiply this several times and you’ll get my experience. If people get on your nerves, feel free to explain. Don’t make it a habit though as it will burn you out.
Some of the scariest things I’ve experienced have come from my own interior self. Like realizing that I was so wounded that I could have seriously harmed the person who wounded me.For me, writing is my medium of expressing “when I’m not in the best mood”. If I could draw- even my stick figures are pathetic- I can surely see how the art you create would be a good means of emptying my mind, heart and soul. Some of what I have written in the past would definitely be considered dark and disturbing and I definitely would be very careful about sharing. Some things I have shared when I thought it could be helpful to others. Personally, if I wrote something and was able to let it go, I’d know it served its purpose for that “emptying” and letting go. If I developed an attatchment to it( the dark and disturbing) that would be a serious cause for concern.- And again, for me personally, If I thought that someone could grossly misunderstand my intent, I would have a certain feeling of responsiility to not share.
A with anything, it starts with a question like this. painting is a journey just like anything else. your topical approach is likely to be about to change just because of the question you are asking. Your asking is a prayer…i believe artists and musicians and poets and songwriters have a spiritual connection that others do not share. So when you ask this question, it is a good idea to pray about it, maybe even during adoration. Then just start walking on this part of your journey.
I agree with you on all of that. The thing is that I don’t have to say “killing is cool”. It’s so clearly implied. Ok so the picture is just an image of your emotions correct? Miserable emotions. So the picture IS the emotion, misery. So the picture is misery, and you are giving to people or selling it to people and sharing your misery. Ha you know what they say “Misery loves company.” And when I say nude women I mean porno, which is sinful.
Look bro you’re twisting my words. I have empathy for her. I write a lot too. My writings follow a bit of the same pattern. I’d probably like your work. As far as I’m concerned those drawings have me mind******. I guess if you guys can handle the disturbing imagery, then go ahead with it, but I personally do not like such an art genre. I just hope that drawing these creepy images isn’t your only way of finding solace. God keep you, H
And what if it is? God answers prayers but the lack of immediate effect doesn’t do anyone favors without the gift of having a creative outlet.
Your spiritual life =/= Everyone’s spiritual life