The True Artist Way!

The actual artist way, or I might call it, how to be a “fine” artist! How to contextualize your creativity in something larger than yourself.
I often look for a bigger context for artist to create within, which will contextualize their gifts, but offer a purpose other than market or fame-the two big “success markers” in art school or the world. The best example from scriptures has to be Bezalel. (King David would be a close second-for he was able to balance art and ruling well; how creativity connects with leadership or kingship). Artist are often looking for models of how they fit into things or society. They usually pick a few from art history. I would suggest going back further!
(In Exodus 31:1-6 and chapters 36 to 39, Bezalel (Hebrew: בְּצַלְאֵל, also transcribed as Betzalel and most accurately as Bəṣalʼēl), was the chief artisan of the Tabernacle and was in charge of building the Ark of the Covenant, assisted by Aholiab.)
From scriptures, the true artist way…is Bezalel’s. The priestly role of artist is to actually build the temple of His Presence. To do so, you need certain gifts. In his case, a ridiculous amount of gifts! This guy had a serious gift set!
If you want to be a fine artist with a high calling look at this character from the Torah!
(Exodus 31, he was the chief of all artist!). This guy in order to build and be the master architect of the temple, was given: wisdom, knowledge, design (both two and three dimensional), skills in all the mediums, and in addition, the ability to teach or mentor, to impart excellence in artistry to others! That’s the gift set I’m talking about!
He could cover lots-impart and implant the vision, and teach the practical skills necessary to incarnate it!
Great artist, great designer, could work in any medium—metal, wood, cloth etc. And he could teach or reproduce his own gift. That’s useful! in this world!
He started by being filled with wisdom and knowledge. That’s a good foundation! How I wish we were this well rounded, especially as artist and leaders in whatever field!
One of my favorite definitions of teaching is being humble enough to simplify what you are saying so that it can reproduce past yourself. This guy had that gift. As well as just being a great artist! Good to consider not just the role of the artist, but what types of gifts they need to really fulfill their callings.
I’m nowhere close to that level of giftings. Good challenge!