by Rev Douglas P Brauner

Our artistic endeavors reflect the Creator.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.”
Isaiah 40:28 English Standard Version

I feel awkward when I take pictures of art. In those instances I am not the artist. Instead, I’m relaying the story told by the true artist. Artist, Fred Darpino, sculpted these figures. They depict an iconic figure in our community, Dominico (Nick) Venetucci, who was known for his pumpkin patch. Thousands of children have visited the Venetucci farm, which is now run by the Pikes Peak Community Foundation, and picked their very own pumpkins.

Pioneer Museum, Colorado Springs, Colorado

This sculpture is an amazing depiction of the love the Venetuccis had for children. This picture gives only one perspective of this three-dimensional object. It can’t do justice to the work that Mr. Darpino put into sculpting it. It’s best to view this picture from different angles, taking in the setting in which it is planted.

Taking pictures of people is much like taking pictures of art. I’m not the artist, but God is. He has created each of us. We are his workmanship…his sculpture.

I was doing some street photography and started a conversation with a man named Orville. He visits a local theater every time a new, and obscure, film arrives. He allowed me to take his picture in front of the theater. I’m not the artist, but I was given the privilege of capturing his image on film.

That picture was a two-dimensional representation of this three-dimensional figure. There was much about Orville that my camera didn’t capture.

Art is a reflection of the Creator, that is why it’s important for Christians to be engaged in it. There is no such thing as “Christian art,” but rather artists who are Christians. We have a unique mindset, one fashioned and formed through Scripture. However, our art will always fall short of the beauty of the true Artist and Creator…and that’s okay.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado