| God's imagination is so vast that
it is far beyond anything we can comprehend. A feeble analogy might be
an ant trying to understand the entire complexity of an Apollo moon
mission, from inception through execution.
God didn't have to create beauty, or music, or pleasure. But he did.
Think about that for a moment. Imagine you are nothing, with no frame of
reference. Then try to imagine music or beauty. It can't be done. If you
think you can, it is only like a tire imagining rolling down the road.
You can't even imagine beyond what you have experienced.
God has given me an ability to see, with my eyes and with my mind,
just a glimpse of some of the beauty he has created. Part of my purpose
in life is to express that vision in visible form, to help you
experience the awe of God's magnificence.
The medium of my art-form falls under the general category of
photography. For me, it involves the use of various tools and supplies.
But they are all largely irrelevant. All that really matters is the art.
Do you enjoy seeing it? Do I enjoy creating it? Does it please my God?
Various artists use various tools and supplies. Some make their own
brushes, or grind their own pigments for paints, or treat their own
canvases. And some don't. I "create" some of the tools and
supplies that I use, but usually I use what is readily available:
various cameras, lenses, films, papers, chemicals, dyes, electrons,
molecules, hands, eyes, mind, body, McDonald's, Coca-Cola, cars,
keyboards, pens, digital brushes, etc.... Specifically? These days I am
primarily using Arches cold-pressed watercolor paper and Concorde Rag
paper because I like how they look. I like how they accept, hold, and
display the dyes and pigments I put on them. I like their quality and
permanence. But my selection of papers, dyes, pigments, films, lenses,
cameras, and other tools and supplies is an always-changing never-ending
process.
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Now what about
photography? There is no such thing as "pure" photography. As
soon as one aims a camera, composes a scene, chooses a lens, determines
an exposure or a depth of field, selects a film or paper... -- one has
bent and "corrupted" the medium because now it is manipulated
and interpreted. Ansel Adams was my primary "mentor". His
style is magnificent. He chose to create in monochrome grays. He didn't
like the inaccuracy of color in photography. It wasn't how he saw it.
But let's face it. His decision was one of artistry, not
"purity" or accuracy. A color snapshot is more
"accurate" than one in "black-and-white". It is
closer to the visual perception that we humans naturally experience. The
works of Van Gough or Monet are not exactly "accurate". But
they are valid works-of-art nevertheless.
Some of my art looks like photographs. Some doesn't. But what is a
photograph "supposed" to look like? My only true purpose is to
create art that pleases God. And part of that usually means that some of
my art will also have meaning and purpose for you -- and for me.
It is truly an honor to be allowed to create art for you and share it
with you. And I hope that it is a blessing to you and a source of
enrichment to your existence.
But it really all boils down to the love of God, and his coming to
earth as Jesus Christ and dying for our sins -- our arrogance -- our
falling short of his magnificence. My art, however perfect or imperfect,
is a part of his perfect love for some of the people he has created, and
hopefully for you. |