Artists draw upon different sources for their inspiration. Family history, relationships, experience, questions, conflicts, joy, suffering, collections, friendships, favorites, fun, fear, and a host of other things can inform an artist's work. Some artists will build a career focused on just one of these topics. While other artists may spend a brief amount of time exploring a single topic. Inspiration is as individual as the artist themselves. Having purpose & meaning to one's work will helps the artist move beyond just showing their skill and reveals a part of the artist's heart. This often allows the viewer to connect to the artist in a more tangible way because they will connect that point of inspiration to their own life experiences.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble,whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Philippians 4:8
We all know people that seem to live their lives focused on the negative situations that have happened to them. I'm not trying to diminish their pain, trials, and challenging circumstances, but when we elevate the negative we give it a place in our life that permeates everything. It impacts our work, relationships, and our perception of the world around us. Though we must not go to the other extreme, and play off the pain & challenges of our life. That is not healthy either. Those people that ignore such things are perceived as ingenuine, superficial, or out of touch. This too can cause difficulties in their work, relationships, and how they perceive the world. In Philippians, we see a challenge to focus on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. It doesn't say to ignore the pain. It doesn't say to glorify the negative. It is calling us to change our focus. When we focus our attention on the things of God, the rest of our life seems to fall in line. The bad things aren't so hopeless, the good things are tempered with humility, In all things we can see that God is with us, loving us, and guiding us through. When we allow our heart & mind to dwell on the things of God, it is reflected in the life that we live, the relationships we have, and the choices we make. Others will see our inspiration being lived out. When they do they will either be able to connect it to their own life or begin to ask questions to why they don't feel that same connection. The door will be open to share the Good News for our joy. Our life is a canvas that allows others to see our inspiration.
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