What Artists See

Colin Harbinson wrote: “Art at its best always invites us to see things in fresh ways and is able to move us to the truth about things.” Have you heard the expression “looking but not seeing?” We all do this every day… during meals, watching TV, working, shopping or driving. Our brains take in enormous amounts of visual information but don’t necessarily do anything with that information. The artist must not simply look but see ­– objects, shapes, colors, as well as connections.

We artists who follow the Lord Jesus require more than artists’ eyes. We require our sight to be clothed with insight. Do you agree with the 17th century English clergyman, Thomas Fuller, who wrote, “seeing is believing, but feeling is the truth”? Jesus had quite a lot to say about the relationship between looking and seeing... feeling and believing. His stories on this are rooted in the Great Commandment, “You shall love the Lord your God will all of you heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.” If we see what Jesus sees, how will our art be transformed?