10.02.2011

My Favorite Artist

A question I am often asked by others:  What is your favorite artist?  Who inspires you?

It would be Michelangelo.  Yes, he is one of the most famous artists who ever lived (for good reason), but it is the man behind the art that captivates me.  Michelangelo came to us at the heart of the Italian Renaissance.  It was a time when the great artists, architects, sculptors and others where looking to the past in order to improve upon the future.  They were in a sense standing upon the shoulders of the great ones!

During Michelangelo’s life he saw the excavation of incredible sculpture by the Romans that were far more expressive than anything his contemporaries were producing.  It inspired him.  As I have read about Michelangelo’s life I feel that he was driven to create art that glorified God.  He felt that his path was different than others and his education would come through personal study and reflection.  He never sought the acceptance or approval of others, but was fiercely independent.  He always followed his personal vision to create what he thought was the will of God.

I admire Michelangelo, not because I think he was perfect (although he is second to none), but because I see what an artist can do when he puts himself in the hands of the true master, our Lord Jesus Christ.  I will never be a Michelangelo.  I do not want to emulate his art or paint like him.  My path is different.  I will be the best Jon McNaughton I can be.  I will use my art to leave a message to the world that I feel is worth seeing.  Though I may be hated and mocked by many because my art does not fit into their personal view, my voice will be heard.

Each of us should follow the example of Michelangelo as we discover the great voice within us.

4 comments:

  1. What a testimony to Michelangelo’s life and yours. I admire and love your work.....I presented your work as an assignment in my Graphic Design class and I am amazed and inspired by your work and you as a person as well now.....Thank you for the glimpse into His light that shines within ,,,,,God is Good....In Jesus name, Amen

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  2. To be true to the greatest that is within us through our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, what could be greater?

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  3. Thank you for sharing your art, your inspiration, and your journey.

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  4. Beautiful in thought and talent.

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