Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, Ann Arbor, MI |
Landscape necklace pendant, L & M Arts |
Larry and Elaine Schneider, Naturewood Art |
As we walked from booth to booth along the shady streets filled with art admirers, three things stirred my heart in praise to God, the Eternal Artist. First, I began to realize that the amazing creativity on display here was an expression of the image of God Who created and endowed humankind with many of His personal traits. These God-given traits include our creativity—and to our ability to admire the creativity of others. Our admiration of the creative arts reaches deep within us. Much deeper than the cognitive level, artistic expression can reach into our wellspring of joy and satisfaction, or it may stir up sadness or compassion. I wonder if any other creatures can “enjoy” the wonders of creation like we can; I doubt it.
Meadowlark, by Naturewood Art |
Finally, I was most inspired by a sort of “one-act drama” performed at each booth we visited along the streets of Ann Arbor. Each artisan that participates at the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair first displays his or her creative work within their booth—work that represents tireless hours of creative effort. Then, the artisan sits and waits for people to come by the booth, admire their work, and perhaps purchase a piece or two as we did.
As visitors to many booths at the fair, we were participants in the “drama” with the artisans, and we observed how they responded to our appreciation of their work. They know that most visitors will stop to admire but few will buy. Yet beyond the monetary gain, they surely must enjoy the satisfaction of seeing many admiring faces and hearing words of praise for work well done. I realized two things: that, the artisans are creative and industrious like their Creator God Whose image they bear; and, like their Creator God, artisans gain a sense of joy when they receive praise for the work of their hands.
And so, our visit to the art fair with our son and daughter-in-law was both very enjoyable and inspiring to me. I left with great respect for the creative ability and skills of the artisans, and also a great appreciation of God our Creator for providing the richness of the material world as a “palette” for His creative image-bearers.
The psalmist in Psalm 104 recognizes the awesomeness of God and the grandeur of His creation. Then, he marvels that his God Who lacks nothing should find joy and gladness when He looks upon His creation—just as an artisan finds joy in looking over his own finished work:
O LORD, how many are Thy works!
In wisdom Thou hast made them all;
The earth is full of Thy possessions.
Let the glory of the LORD
endure forever;
Let the LORD be glad in His works;
Let the LORD be glad in His works;
He looks at the earth, and
it trembles;
He touches the mountains, and they smoke.
He touches the mountains, and they smoke.
- Psalm
104: 24, 31-32
A few verses later in Psalm 104, the psalmist displays the kind
of awe and praise that comes spontaneously from one who bears God’s image and
can appreciate the beauty and wonder of creation in some imperfect way like our
Creator. But, the psalmist also
understands that his heart of praise is both a fitting response to God’s
greatness and a “pleasing gift” to his Creator and the Redeemer of his soul as
compared to the response of those who deny God and abuse His creation for
selfish gain.
I will sing to the LORD as
long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
Let my meditation be pleasing to Him;
As for me, I shall be glad in the LORD.
As for me, I shall be glad in the LORD.
Let sinners be consumed from
the earth,
And let the wicked be no more.
Bless the LORD, O my soul. Praise the LORD!
And let the wicked be no more.
Bless the LORD, O my soul. Praise the LORD!
- Psalm
104: 33-35
2 comments:
Thank you so much for all your kind words about our work. The Ann Arbor show was a wonderful success for us and we certainly appreciate you giving us the link to your blog.
Thank you for your kind comment. My wife wears her landscape necklace which serves as a beautiful reminder of a wonderful day in Ann Arbor.
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