Christian Artist

Art and the Christian Artist

One could say I have been a mannequin in my own life. In High School, I lived concurrently in old-school traditional America and in the world of cutting edge art and expression. Superficially, I appeared somewhat abstract like a blank opaque canvas or a black and white collage on a dull grey easel. I did not appear diverse in the traditional sense. My real diversity was revealed in who I was and the breadth of what I did. Looking beyond my quiet exterior, others found a wildly imaginative artist with expressive flare, daring designs and a passion for integrating creativity and technology. Like Michael D'Antuono, I have at times created drawings and designs that pushed the envelope to make people think about their beliefs. While not always popular at Christian Art contests, the art community has accepted my work as depiction of political prejudices existing in education and society. I have been censored and praised.

Artistic people were surprised to see my edgy, slightly “hipster” look and then matched it with my traditional deep-South upbringing and conservative Christian education. I balanced activities like pursuing my Eagle Scout award with arranging for my daring art to be exhibited at a local Art studio, sculpture studio and the Mint Hill Art League. I claimed to be a Presbyterian, artsy, swimming Eagle Scout, who loved outdoor adventures. Equally, I adored wearing skinny jeans and fedora even when I went fishing. I had my own personal style that differed from those around me. Friends commented that I had to be adopted. Once, I built an Illustrative PowerPoint supporting this elaborate argument. However, it was quickly defeated by the evidence of hospital photos, and objective birth documentation that were unmistakably mine.

I expanded the envelope of my parents’ engineering background and confines of my Christian school’s art program to create my own unique art and have it serve many purposes outside the studio. Last fall, it was exciting to see my high school embrace my inventive talents while I partnered with the Marketing department