What is an artist?

It is the 5th week of my fifth year of Grand View and the light at the end of the tunnel is nearing. I am a visual arts major, which basically means I draw a lot, and I don't really know what is going to happen when I graduate. On top of all that, I am taking an art history class and the question that pops up a lot is, "What is art and why do we make it?" Good question.

If I don't have an answer for what art is then what in the world am I doing majoring in it? I had a minor mental breakdown, thinking that I had wasted the last few years of college doing something that doesn't even matter. But I have come up with an answer. I believe it to be true, though many people may not.

I create because I am created. 

It makes total sense. I am created in the image of the greatest artist EVER. He uses different medium for different subject matter. He uses intricate detail in his work. He even designs his art to serve a purpose. 

So as I am doing one more assignment for my drawing class I am directly reflecting God's character without even knowing it. That is nuts. And it's exciting! It makes me want to work hard to be like my Creator in this way. It's one more way that I can know him more.

So here are some of my works from last semester. The idea behind the drawings are to look at a part of human nature that everyone can relate to, but not everyone likes to talk about. I chose fear. Every drawing is an example of a phobia that someone, somewhere has. Fear is one of the strongest emotions and no one likes to be controlled by it. Ever since I made the decision to put all of my trust in what Jesus has done for me on the cross and to give my life to him, I still get scared, yes. But I don't have to fear death anymore. And if I don't have to fear death then what else is there to fear? Anyway, here they are!