How Filters of Perception Shape Art and Communication
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Perception is fundamental to the process of making art of any kind.
As Christian artists we create because we perceive something that begs to be expressed. Our vague idea manifests as merely a wisp that must somehow be contained and translated into visual expression.
My medium of art changes based on the idea itself or my mood. Pouring over a screen creating digital art on my iPad with an Apple Pencil is my current favorite.
But it was not before gritting my teeth spending hours figuring out how to work some of the innumerable digital brushes in the software! Countless erasures later this painting emerged as a visual expression of my passion for the Bible. Not quite as I envisioned, but adequate for now.
I'm fascinated by how cleverly Jesus is hidden in every book of the Bible. He is so magnificently expressed in metaphor, symbol, types and shadows that searching for Him has become a delightful game of Hide and Seek. This painting abstractly expresses both the thrill of discovery and His centrality.
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:..." Isaiah 28:10 KJV
Every word ultimately points to His life, death, burial and resurrection—all just for us, sinful, fallen humans. So appropriate for this time of year as Easter approaches!
While I enjoy the process of art, it's frustrating when my work falls short of what I envisioned. When efforts to communicate fail, either because of ineptitude or the filters through which others view my work, it can be disheartening.
Jesus also experienced frustration in communication. Despite being the greatest communicator in history, most only understood snippets of His words. To His hearers, it was inconceivable that the cross be the final outcome of His journey here on earth! Today, we understand some of His marvelous gift of salvation, and yet not entirely.
Those who heard Jesus understood that the concept of a kingdom required a king and a domain over which to reign. They leapt to the conclusion that their natural physical domain was the only kingdom He'd rule over, and that by overthrowing their Roman oppressors. This error in perception happened not because of His failure to communicate adequately, but because of the filters through which His words were perceived.
Jesus, however, described a vastly different kingdom, a spiritual one that began in the heart. A yielded heart, wherever it was found, would be the throne from which His kingdom would eventually transform the world—one surrendered life at a time!
As Christian artists we seek to communicate the wonder of this transformed life. However, we are not to concern ourselves with how the world perceives our art. We are only called to engage in the creative process with the Lord as an act of worshipful service.
He has marvelous purposes for art. How can He not? His beauty and excellence are best reflected in this gift! Craving outcomes outside that purpose will leave us frustrated and discouraged. Perceiving His hand in our work is a skill—and like any other skill it takes diligence to develop.
What filters of perception might be distorting your understanding of outcomes and purpose for your unique artwork? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal them to you.
When perception becomes clouded, as it inevitably will, because of our fallen nature, we can do what Jesus did. He withdrew often to be alone with His Father.
"When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone." John 6:15
KJV
Away from the opinions of others, He spent time with the Father and was encouraged. In solitude, He poured out His concerns and was filled with vision, purpose and direction.
Then His Father could impart wisdom necessary to carry out His mission.
It is only in quiet time with our Father that we also will grasp His purpose for our own creativity—and our unique mission as artists. Only in solitude will we hear clearly. Away from the noise of the world we can be directed or redirected. Only then our art will flow pure and uncontaminated, visual poetry worthy of the one we call King of Kings!
I appreciate your writing today. I am in a nasty slump of painting, or should I say not painting. I cannot seem to move forward. I know in my head what I want to see, but unable to make it happen. Like being stuck in jail.