In his 1999 Letter to Artists, Pope (now Saint) John Paul II expresses his hope for artists:

“May your art help to affirm that true beauty which, as a glimmer of the Spirit of God, will transfigure matter, opening the human soul to the sense of the eternal.”

This year, I’ll strive to embrace this hope, and with it, the transformative power that God has given me through my artistic talent and the desire he’s placed on my heart to discover and share Beauty with others.

Rereading his letter was so affirming. Artmaking and business owning can be an isolating and lonely endeavor, especially when motivated by ‘success’ or comparison. Goals such as a daily painting practice (one of my goals this year) can at times feel trivial or inconsequential. Who cares if I show up? What does it matter?

What matters is what ‘showing up’ signifies. Regardless of any ‘success’ or not, the act of showing up—of putting brush to paper—each day is worthy, because it signals to God that we’re willing:

God, I’m here. I’m listening and long to respond to your call. I’m available and ready to do the work you’ve set aside specifically for me.

We’re willing, and God is able. When we show up day after day, offering our gifts back to Him. He will make us able. He is trustworthy. He keeps his promises. And He works all things for His Good (which is our Good too).

So, let’s show up this year…unafraid and unembarrassed. Let’s show up confident—not in our own ability, but in His.

Here’s to a bright 2021.

We're Willing, He is Able

“May your art help to affirm that true beauty which, as a glimmer of the Spirit of God, will transfigure matter, opening the human soul to the sense of the eternal.”