Toward a Philosophy of Art: The Foundation

For a start, I think it’s important to establish a philosophy of art. In other words, I feel I need to address the question, Why do I do this? What principles guide the way I make art? I am not an abstract expressionist. I am not interested in communicating my own feelings, at least not primarily. I want to draw attention to the beauty that surrounds us, which I believe corresponds to the joy I find in observing it.

Rather than just trying to turn out artwork, along the way I found it helpful to consider what my goals are as I wrestle with each painting or drawing. My first foundation, as with everything else I do, is the Bible, which has surprisingly clear guidance for the arts. In the Old Testament, two artisans, Bezalel and Oholiab, are commissioned to lead teams in the construction of the places and items for worship. God gave them two guiding principles for fashioning art: for glory and for beauty. It was meant to be “for glory” in that the art was meant to point to the majesty and greatness of the Ultimate Artist. But it was also “for beauty” in that it was meant to inspire wonder, thought, reverence, and even enjoyment. I want my own artwork to deepen people’s appreciation of the beauty around them. I also hope this would lead people to wonder at the goodness of the God who made them.