Christian Art

[YosefHayim]

What kind of art should a Christian do?

Clearly, we shall not make "graven images" and art that condones sinful behavior.

So can a Christian create surrealistic and abstract art? Can a Christian draw weird things such as personified animals?

Also, can a Christian draw depictions of scriptural events?

Does the commandment not to create images of heavenly and earthly things refer just to idols or does it refer to general art?

When the tabernacle was built the Bible told how God was the source of their artistic talent.



The reason I ask these is because I used to draw, and would draw surreal things. Eventually I got into drugs and they got more surreal. I eventually realized that my art was containing things such as pagan concepts (eg. astral projection, and even an Aztec looking sacrifice temple of some sort that came with spurs of thoughts). After quitting drugs I neglected art because I started walking with Jesus and felt my art was too edgy and provocative and mostly sinful and unclean. Every now and then I want to get back into art. I like drawing odd things, like I recently drew a bee with a human head, and a turkey with tuxedo. I also drew a few ducks and one had Bruce willis‘ face. (I called it Duck Duck Bruce). The other thing with art is pride. When I draw something I want to show someone, but then would feel prideful as though I was seeking for praise from my art.How would I glorify with art l, because sometimes I feel if I give up art I‘m giving up a God given talent.

As for my old edgy art, should I throw it out?

 

[Angel]

Here is a picture I drew that represents scripture:

James 1:14-15
Amplified Bible (AMP)
14 But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions).
15 Then the evil desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully matured, brings forth death.

 

[Angel]

sorry i dont know why the link isn't working here the direct link

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/5/ycsw.jpg/

 

[farouk]

sorry i dont know why the link isn't working here the direct link

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/5/ycsw.jpg/

[MENTION=96479]Angel[/MENTION]:

Intriguing!

I almost wondered at first if it was like a design for a skull tattoo, which is getting popular. (This thread doesn't need to be about tattoos, though.)

So have you been drawing for many years?

Blessings.

 

[Angel]

Thanks Farouk. I have been drawing since I was 17. But I'm not really a pro. Drawing is an occasional thing.

 

[Guest]

My goal is to humiliate the world through my lyrics to the point where my listeners wonder why their living for the world and not for Christ. I can't believe you're gonna die in this petty world without Christ. lol. Seriously, this is what you're dying for??...

View attachment 3427

Right now, I'm recording third hip hop album. - Dave

 

[YosefHayim]

My goal is to humiliate the world through my lyrics to the point where my listeners wonder why their living for the world and not for Christ. I can't believe you're gonna die in this petty world without Christ. lol. Seriously, this is what you're dying for??...

View attachment 4524

Right now, I'm recording third hip hop album. - Dave

Christians should realized that Disney is an enemy. They hold "gay days" at Disney world and Disney land, targeting children.

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=uLiGIkiiH70

Just google: perverted Disney empire

 

[YosefHayim]

What kind of art should a Christian do?

Let the Spirit guide you brother. I'd focus on the Lord if I could draw, but can't.

This is actually a pretty good question and I'm interested in hearing responses. I was in a customers house yesterday and she was an artist, with her own paintings all over the house. Many were surrealistic. I think she was christian, there was evidence of the Lord all over also, but not so much in her artwork. She wasn't home so I couldn't speak to her about it but I found it very interesting.

Good advice. I throw stuff away I feel I should every now and then, but I may save some to show as an example jof how my art changes for the LORD if I continue.

 

[evenifigoalone]

I think art is a wonderful God-given talent.
But even something good can become a temptation.

I cannot think of a single verse in the Bible that would make abstract, surreal, or art of modified animals wrong. But then, I draw anthros on a regular basis.

 

[farouk]

I think art is a wonderful God-given talent.
But even something good can become a temptation.

I cannot think of a single verse in the Bible that would make abstract, surreal, or art of modified animals wrong. But then, I draw anthros on a regular basis.

[MENTION=89910]questdriven[/MENTION]:

So did you just change your avatar? and is there a Biblical story behind it, maybe?

Blessings.

 

[evenifigoalone]

I think art is a wonderful God-given talent.
But even something good can become a temptation.

I cannot think of a single verse in the Bible that would make abstract, surreal, or art of modified animals wrong. But then, I draw anthros on a regular basis.

[MENTION=89910]questdriven[/MENTION]:

So did you just change your avatar? and is there a Biblical story behind it, maybe?

Blessings.

Well, no, but there is some spiritual as well as personal meaning behind it.
You probably can't see it too well, though. I used my iPod to photograph and upload it. Best I can do til I get home.

 

[farouk]

I think art is a wonderful God-given talent.
But even something good can become a temptation.

I cannot think of a single verse in the Bible that would make abstract, surreal, or art of modified animals wrong. But then, I draw anthros on a regular basis.

@questdriven :

So did you just change your avatar? and is there a Biblical story behind it, maybe?

Blessings.

Well, no, but there is some spiritual as well as personal meaning behind it.
You probably can't see it too well, though. I used my iPod to photograph and upload it. Best I can do til I get home.

@questdriven :

I see; and of course you guys are still away, right. Hope the family wedding goes well.

Blessings.

 

[YosefHayim]

I cannot think of a single verse in the Bible that would make abstract, surreal, or art of modified animals wrong. But then, I draw anthros on a regular basis.

I once was going to draw anthros but then I didn't but then so in a different sense for my previous art contained things from pagan/new agey ideas with drug references to lustful things and dark things.

I've tried to draw normal things but I still like odd things minus the pagan/new agey/lustful/dark/edgy/etc. things but then again how can I draw something odd without looking like I did drugs?

I don't know how I can glorify god with art.

 

[farouk]

Thanks Farouk. I have been drawing since I was 17. But I'm not really a pro. Drawing is an occasional thing.

Angel:

YW. I was just looking at it, and the skull motif is quite popular. (You know it's almost surreal to say that the drawing of a skull looks 'life-like' if the whole point of a visible skull is that it's not living...) You would probably enjoy designing skulls for a tattoo parlor, where the motif is quite popular and in demand, I guess.

Blessings.

 

[Angel]

Hey Farouk- I honestly now don't care for skull tattoo's. I had one for a couple years. I wanted to remove it, but it was less expensive to get a sleeve over it. So that's what I did. I never was against tattoo's, I just didn't want that tattoo because it stands for someone that I'm not anymore. Now I have a lovely half sleeve.

 

[farouk]

Hey Farouk- I honestly now don't care for skull tattoo's. I had one for a couple years. I wanted to remove it, but it was less expensive to get a sleeve over it. So that's what I did. I never was against tattoo's, I just didn't want that tattoo because it stands for someone that I'm not anymore. Now I have a lovely half sleeve.

Hi Angel:

Well, yes, I can honestly share with you something of your sense of deep satisfaction at the fact that you have gotten a half-sleeve done. (Presumably this has the faith based design that you said people often ask you about, giving you many opportunities to testify as to its meaning and significance to you?) I do think it can be a wholesome thing when women, now exercising a tattoo equality with men, have the quiet confidence to go under the needle for something like a half-sleeve.

So was the design yours? did you supply the artwork for it?

(Re. the skull now covered by the half-sleeve, I can understand if the negative perceptions outweighed others, with the result that you wanted to cover it. I'm sure I've seen some positive interpretations of a skull also; I'll see if I can dig up a quote; but anyway it's nice that you far prefer the one that you have now, on top of it instead.)

Blessings.

 

[Angel]

Hey Farouk,

The faith tattoo is on my lower arm.

The tattoo sleeve cover is actually of a bird and stars. I did not design it- my tattoo artist did. The bird was done in several sessions. It cost quite a bit. I would like to get a tattoo on my shins, but I don't know when I'll get it because I have to save up for it.

 

[farouk]

Angel:

So did you study art? or would studying eventually at art school interest you, maybe?

Blessings.

 

[Angel]

Well, when I was a teenager I was into anime and would draw it a lot. I have a drawing book that goes over all types of art, and it has helped me learn how to draw.

I love to look at artbooks. My husband bought me an oversized book on the works of Michangelo that I enjoy looking at. Michilangelo said that you come to perfect your art at the end of your life. I believe that is true. Also, I have a comic-style book of the Bible, which is pretty cool.

When I was in highschool, I made a ceramic bust of an ancient roman.

I have thrown away a bunch of art, including paintings. I just don't like them and was sick of looking at them, hehe. Also, they were painted on boards and not canvases, and I very much prefer canvases.

I am a perfectionist.

 

[farouk]

Well, when I was a teenager I was into anime and would draw it a lot. I have a drawing book that goes over all types of art, and it has helped me learn how to draw.

I love to look at artbooks. My husband bought me an oversized book on the works of Michangelo that I enjoy looking at. Michilangelo said that you come to perfect your art at the end of your life. I believe that is true. Also, I have a comic-style book of the Bible, which is pretty cool.

When I was in highschool, I made a ceramic bust of an ancient roman.

I have thrown away a bunch of art, including paintings. I just don't like them and was sick of looking at them, hehe. Also, they were painted on boards and not canvases, and I very much prefer canvases.

I am a perfectionist.

Angel: Well, you seem to find the whole area or art and its process absorbing, and if you are indeed a perfectionist, and trained a little more formally, with your at least passive, long term knowledge of the bodyart industry you probably also have the potential to become a very accomplished tattoo artist, if you could adapt to the medium of ink on skin. Depends what you really would find fulfilling, I reckon. Like, whether with a flair for drawing the person can see him/herself giving some ink joy as well as receving it.

Blessings.

Blessings.