Art by committee

This site is focused on creativity which includes everyone even if you don't consider yourself the "creative type." We were all created in the image of the Creator. Got it? Good. Many people call themselves artists which I believe is creativity taken one step further. Artists are people who specialize in a field or area of creativity often involving some sort of aesthetics. Why did I say all that? I'm not sure... but read on.

Artists are usually creative in a world of their own. They are used to only having to deal with themselves when it comes to their work. If artists took up a sport they'd more likely play tennis or golf (individual sport) than football or baseball (team sport). I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing either. I mean, how many works of art do you know that were created by a committee? Committees usually commission an artist but a team of people will often come up with something that is a collaboration of everyone's ideas. In short, it will be boring.

So, I believe that a challenge which will constantly test artists is working together with a group of people. During a group discussion it's constantly having to fight the thought, "this would go much faster if I just did it myself." Ahhh yes. You've said those words before haven't you? C'mon. Fess up. Over the past few years God has been showing me that I don't need to do everything myself and, more importantly, I can't do everything by myself. Being self-employed things often just fall in my lap so I end up working on everything myself but when my wife started working with us things had to change. I couldn't simply just take the "I'll do this myself" attitude.

I think God puts me in situations where I can work with others so we can see him at work instead of relying on myself and so I can see others strengths work in place of my weaknesses (and there are many). This is what is meant by the body of Christ. I've seen this in my work at the church, in our small group, in my business, and in my marriage.

It's a great thing to be part of.