Most of the work of an artist, says Cameron, transpires in the “liminal space” between calling and witness. And many Christian artists struggle to strike a balance between two poles of the venn diagram: work as calling and work as witness.
Making sense of an artistic calling can be extremely difficult. After all, some Christians are skeptical. Painter, sculptor, musician, poet—these aren’t “real” jobs, at least according to some. The pressure to do traditional ministry work such as pastoring can be intense, and it can even be enough to cause an artist to wonder if their vocation is even legitimate.
And then there’s the pressure to actually produce the final product, to actually do the work of an artist. This, according to Cameron, is where the battle is fought.
Reflect:
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How did you discern your vocation as an artist? Have you ever faced opposition to this career path from those who questioned the legitimacy of the artistic vocation? How did you respond?
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What practical challenges do artists face when it comes to pursuing art as a career?