From Barb’s Mail Bag – A Professional Artist?

Last updated on: June 13, 2006 at 7:21 pm by Barbara Nicolosi

From Barb’s Mail Bag – A Professional Artist? 2006-06-13T19:21:00-06:00 Barbara Nicolosi

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The following is a question I get quite often, followed by the answer I give just as often.

It isn’t so much that people are wondering if they are supposed to be artists, as they are wondering if I can make it easier for them to pursue a professional artist’s life. I can’t. And according to JPII, we shouldn’t want to. It is the sacrifice of the artist’s life – its brain-wrackingness, its plenitude of rejection, its isolation, its instability, etc. – that makes the artist’s life a way to holiness. For them and their work. And then us through their work.

But, anyway, here is the latest permutation of this question and answer…

———————————

Dear Ms. Nicolosi:

[Extravagant praise for Barb and Act One deleted in humility.]

I have been wondering lately how I know if I am an artist. How can I know?

M, in Minneapolis

Dear M:

Everyone should be an artist at something. John Paul II said we are all called to be the artists of our own lives – making our lives a masterpiece.

Artistic talent, however, usually shows up early. What is it that you were better at in kindergarten than all the other kids? These things aren’t subtle. You could sing or draw or dance or act or write better than everybody else in your class. And you liked doing it. Or else you couldn’t and didn’t.

But I think you are wondering about whether you might be called to be a professional artist. A professional artist is one who has a heightened level of natural talent in some area, and has been rigorously trained. So the sign of a professional is that he or she can summon their craft to serve their will as needed. You know you have enough talent to be a professional artist if the work that you have done routinely elicits emotional responses in people. Powerful ones. Ones that people are willing to pay for.

Hope that helps. Good luck to you and God bless –

Barbara

Uncategorized

Previous Post

June 12, 2006

Stepping all over my point...

Next Post

July 9, 2006 "Truth, Justice and all that other stuff" - Is that You Returning, Superman?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 March 2012 October 2011 September 2011 July 2011 June 2011 April 2011 September 2010 August 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 November 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 April 2006 March 2006 February 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 April 2005 March 2005 February 2005 January 2005 December 2004 November 2004 October 2004 September 2004 August 2004 July 2004 June 2004 May 2004 April 2004 March 2004 February 2004 January 2004 December 2003 November 2003 October 2003 September 2003 August 2003 July 2003 June 2003 May 2003 April 2003 March 2003 February 2003

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does the name "Samuel" mean in Hebrew?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Heard by God Chosen one Servant of the Lord The Lord is my salvation