FEAR is a four-letter word

My friends, welcome to my first blog post on FAA. Today, I thought I would share a little philosophical thought from one of my favorite authors, Jack Easterday.
I was reminded of this article recently, when our pastor, Monty Van Horn, said "fear paralyzes and faith mobilizes." I believe that is true, and, as artists, we can be crippled by fear. I hope you enjoy and find as much encouragement from this article as I did.

Until next time.
Blessings,
Kiltedview


FEAR is a four-letter word.

It seems that no matter where we turn in the world today, we are surrounded by fear, distrust and uncertainty. But mostly fear. Fear for our safety perhaps, or our futures. Fear for our loved ones or our finances. Those fears can interfere with our work as artists. Even to the point of giving up on our gifts and hiding behind normalcy. Granted, some of that fear may be well founded, but most of it, if we're being honest with ourselves, is usually self-induced. But it doesn't have to be that way.

Fear is a four-letter word, and it doesn't belong in the vocabulary of artists. We can let fear paralyze us, or we can stand up, look fear straight in the eye and laugh. Ha ha! Because we are artists! We see the world in ways that the Facebook-addicted and reality-TV-addled minds of the general populace cannot. There is liberation from fear within the media and methods that we utilize every day. We experience the essence of this liberation every time we start a new project -- but perhaps we just haven't recognized it yet.

Painters know it. Those brief moments when they dip their fresh, clean brushes into the paint to begin a new work. Oh the possibilities!
Sculptors know it. A smile crosses their lips, ever so fleetingly, as they see just the right spot, on an otherwise seamless stone, to place the chisel.
Potters know it. The quick, uptake of breath, almost imperceptible, as they push their hands into a fresh, cool block of clay. Wonders await!
Photographers know it. That mere glint of time when their composition first comes into sharp focus, and the moment of magic is but a breath away.

That magic, those possibilities, they exist continually in our time spent working in art. If we would but recognize and embrace that spirit -- that joy of liberation -- we can triumph against the forces of fear and uncertainty, and carry that joy throughout the creative process. And our art -- and our lives -- will be better for it. From concept to completion, we are the visionaries and the public-at-large will look to us for guidance in an increasingly fearful world. But we must not create from within a temple of fear, but from a palace of hope. And we can, and should, use our divinely-given talents to share that liberation with others.

As we have seen, artists have the power to transcend fear with the application of their talents -- and then use those talents as a doorway to explore thoughts and ideas that can make bold statements to the world. Bold statements that can not only add beauty, but encourage peace, elevate joy and enhance dignity -- three things our world desperately needs.

The power of art is real. The power is yours. Use it with thoughtfulness and passion.

Now, go out and give that four-letter-word the thrashing it deserves.

God bless you all.
Jack Easterday