I was talking to a friend the other day who happens to be quite an accomplished artist and a real spiritual father to many creatives around the world.
We were chatting about our mutual passion to help artists thrive and, knowing I work with many hobbyist and emerging artists, posed the following question:
“How do you tell someone who is mediocre and not really called (or ready) to make his living with his art (simply because it will never sell) that perhaps God gave you the passion for art just to enjoy and glorify Him with, but it is not your calling to make it your financial sustenance?”
It’s a great question and I’m sure the reason no one talks much about it is because it can be a really sensitive issue for the artist… No one wants to have that hard conversation with an artist who’s thinking they are ready to take on the world when in reality, they are still stumbling around with the basics. And then sometimes, there are those really hard cases that almost seem like the American Idol auditions where someone thinks they are God’s gift to art when in reality, there’s not much there but desire and belief.
As I’ve thought about it, I hope these ideas will help you navigate your own artistic calling and season in that journey.
- Everyone Starts Creating As A Hobby
No artist in the world ever started out as a pro. Everyone starts creating art because of a passion to create, to respond, to reflect what’s going on in their own heart with the tools and techniques of their chosen creative medium. And unless you continue to cultivate that deep connection and love for creating over time, you’ll become a burned out replicator of yesterday’s inspiration. Creating as a hobby is valid, important and a worthy pursuit artistically, personally and as an act of spiritual devotion with the Lord. - Everyone Can Use Creative Expression for Personal Enjoyment
Most people start creating art because they love it. They find the process and the product to be enjoyable, fulfilling and that my friend is enough in itself! You could create for a lifetime in the context of your own personal enjoyment and be completely happy in your artistic pursuits. And in fact, if at any point you’re creating and not enjoying it, you should stop, take a deep breath and ask some hard questions about where things took a wrong turn. Enjoying the process is core to why we all create. - God Is Glorified through the Process of Creating
The first way humanity is introduced to God in the Bible is as artist. Then, the story progresses to reveal an artist-father who creates His man and woman, inviting them into the creative process with Him. We are His image bearers in the earth and we reflect the nature of our Creative God when we participate in the art making process. That alone is enough justification to create a whole life long because God is most glorified when we fulfill the design He formed in us. - Selling Your Work Doesn’t Validate Your Creativity
Your creative process is valid, important and worthy because it’s a gift from God and a way to connect with and reflect His nature. If you never sell a piece of your work, it doesn’t mean that somehow your creativity was less. It simply means you chose not to take it in that direction. For many artists who sell their work, including me, it’s a wonderful encouragement that others love what I do but it doesn’t define me or my enjoyment of the process. I created for many years before I ever sold any of my work and if all the sales stopped tomorrow, you would still find me out in the woods doing what I love… creating. - Maturing as an Artist is an Intentional Process
For most artists who sell their work, it’s been an intentional act of maturing both artistically, spiritually and in business. Frankly, it takes years to develop that maturity and there’s no way to short cut the process. It’s a day-by-day pursuit of creative excellence, spiritual connection and understanding how to market and sell your work. Just because you can sell really well doesn’t mean your work is worth selling and just because you’re not selling a lot right now doesn’t mean your work isn’t worthy. It just means you’re in process and you have to stay in process until all those variables start to work together as one. You can mature but you have to realize it’s an intentional process. (That’s what we do in my Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program… help artists bring it all together and grow in maturity.) - Selling Art for a Living Isn’t for the Faint of Heart
I have never been more fulfilled in my life than since 2009 when I started creating and selling my artwork for a living but believe me, I work hard… really hard. Before that, I made my living as a worship leader and even owned a marketing company in Atlanta for several years. Trust me when I say I know a little something about making a living as a creative. However, when you move from hobbyist – someone who’s doing your art for fun – to someone who’s creating as a way to make your living, it’s a completely different ballgame. You now have to work both on your art and in your business because you’re an entrepreneur and an artist. Unless you’re ready to embrace both sides of that equation, empowered by the Holy Spirit, you’re in for a rude awakening. You can learn to do both and when you’re called to it, there’s grace for both but realize it takes grit, faith and focus to succeed. - Watch for Signposts of Favor
If you are intentionally growing in maturity artistically, spiritually and in business, wanting to sell your work on a larger stage then you have to keep your eyes out for signposts of favor. I’ve just learned over the years, when it’s God’s time for you to be promoted in the marketplace, no devil in hell can stop you. And at the same time, when it’s not your time yet, nothing you can do will open any door that God still has closed. Recognizing the season you’re in and following the favor in your life is key for every artist. When the time is right, the relationships, resources and connections you need to succeed will be there. Until then, be faithful with what’s in your hand. Bloom where you’re planted. Be faithful with little and God will make you ruler over much. - Believe in Yourself but Receive Critical Feedback
If there’s a life message in my, it’s about helping others to agree with who God’s called them to be, not to be bound by fear but stand in strength. That’s foundational for all believers because no fear-laden, shame-filled artist is ever going to thrive as God intended. However, it’s VITAL that you have a clear view of where you are in the journey, especially from an artistic perspective. Just because your work isn’t good enough to sell or be really marketable right now doesn’t mean you’re no good, God doesn’t love you or that the world is over. It just means you either have a wonderful opportunity to continue enjoying your work as a hobby OR you have a lot of work to do in order to mature your work to a place where it’s salable. That’s just the bottom line. Please don’t think, however that just because you love creating and even feel called to create professionally that you’re immediately ready to do so in a full-time capacity. If you’re serious about really knowing where you are in this process, pray for God to bring someone in your life who will shoot straight with you. And when He does, listen. - Don’t Try to Force It
Anytime you’re moving with the Lord, you should be feeling forward momentum. You should know you’re on the right track, moving in the right direction. If you don’t, I’d encourage you to stop and say “Ok, what’s going on Father? Have I made a wrong turn, made some wrong assumptions or am I pursuing a direction that’s not you?” This is so important. Where God leads and guides, there is favor and grace, authority and opportunity. If you’re not feeling any of those things, it’s important to take time to get clear before going any further. If you don’t, you’ll end up birthing something you have to sustain in your own strength. - It’s a Process
None of us finish where we start. Life is a process and be assured, your artistic journey is as well! If you believe God’s plan for your life is to eventually be creating your art and selling it then that’s awesome! Don’t ever give up on that dream. Just be realistic about where you are in that process, what needs to happen next and who’s going to help you get there. I’m passionate about that process and if that’s you, I’d encourage you to check out my Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program. It’s for any artist in any medium and in any stage of their artistic journey.
Please comment below and let me know your thoughts! Also, for more on this topic, check out my article: Considering Art as Spiritual Experience, Hobby & Vocation.
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