the total dependancy of artists

most can never explain how they do what they do. There is no formula. it is a mysterious process that occurs somewhere between the prefrontal cortex and the motor association cortex. Athletes work out, scholars go to class, but apart from the mechanics of styntax, structure, templete and other left brain processes, creators are at the mercy of something no one but God understands. like little children at supper, we say grace over it but can take no great credit for it's existence. it's something that causes great emotional tremors from time to time. it causes lack of sleep, lack of time, brief moments of tunneling, frustration on the behalf of spouses, and the inability to focus on other people and things during moments of artistic production. most artist have low self-esteem even though some may appear egocentric. Their low self image is rooted in the principle of muse. They are at the mercy of the muse because they don't know how the muse works. Much like most people don't understand the inside of a CD player and how it produces sound from digets.

• i use the term muse even though i don't like it. all good gifts come from God but not everything artists write or say is God breathed- (IE Hollywood)

The constant thought of many artists who are living paycheck to paycheck is what if the thing i do, yet don't understand, stops working. what if i can no longer live off this insane gift. i have no other real marketable skills!

This is the thought of mostly writers and composers. (acting, directing, singing, preaching, and painting are aquired crafts that utilize artistic skills.) I would claim that the mortality rate for writers is much lower. Their brain's treadlife is much shorter.

so the nervous, emotional, artist continues to do what he can't put his finger on. He or she lives in a state of panic or grace totally dependant on God or some infinitely lesser being to survive.

Comments

[Vicki Sullivan]

Matt, dear friend, with all due respect, I don't think you have any comprehension of what you are saying. If one speaks of a Faulkner, or even a Shakespeare such ground is Holy Ground. One must be very careful of making such assertion regarding how God works in the life of an artist.

There are many of us out here who cannot this day make a living through our art. Me, for one. That is not to say, it won't one day be worth more than any could imagine while those who are making it through their art won't have any to survive long enough for anyone to remember they ever worked at all.

We live in a most "unnatural," and plastic world today for it is more human constructed than ever before. It seems to me, it could be history will not be so kind to us as it has been to other epochs in human history.

For one to choose art as a life career choice is to court disaster because it pulls out of us all that God created in us.

My most basic concern this morning as far as Baptists go is how we have failed to raise our children up with the care and caution as have other religions. Surely, when our children are lost to sin's ravenges God's heart is smitten because we are to be surety for them before Him (see: How To Raise Your Child For Christ - Andrew Murray.)

Am praying about designing Sunday School material better adapted to transfer relationship with Christ in a real world.

Blessings - Vicki

[Emory]

I totally understand and wholeheartedly agree. Even though my craft is acting, I still oftentimes fear I won't ever make a living at what I feel God created me to do. Then again, I trust and continue on, and He provides faithfully. You were made to write, and your writing is a large part of what got me here today. There is no telling the number of people who have been in some way affected by your gift.

[matt tullos]

Hi Vicki,

Interesting uh...take. i guess you're right, i don't have any comprehesion because i can't follow exactly what your point is but thanks for posting. i wouldn't take what i write very seriously... i certainly don't. i was just mulling over why artists are the way they are.

PS> I do like andrew murray, AND shakespeare (whether he was in love or not - i'll leave that to hollywood) faulkner is a little dreary, though- don't you think?

[matt tullos]

Thanks Em. Glad you made it to town safely! See you tomorrow at the Methodists.

[derick]

Matt -

I, for what it's worth, think you do have some comprehesion about what you have written. And, since this is YOUR blog, about what YOU feel and think - I don't see where anyone can basically tell you that you're wrong about it.

Just my opinion - and you know what they say about those, so ...

Hope all is going well for you. Still waiting on the 'B-list'. Let me know what you need!

derick