The Artist’s Super Power: Seeing the Unseen
The ability to see the unseen, communicate the intangible and bring clarity to the unclear is an ability that most artists possess. I like to think of it as our “superpower”. A unique ability given to us to help those in need.
Its “Secret Origins”
No matter if you are a painter of fine art, a graphic artist for an advertising agency or even a comic book artist; we all have something in common. We are all, one way or another “Illustrators”. We illustrate concepts whether with paint, pixels or pencils.
Now, let’s look at the word “illustrate” to see why it’s a moniker that applies to us:
The word “illustrate” comes from the Latin “illustrare” meaning “to make bright”.
A “light-bringer”.
“To make clear or intelligible”. You as an illustrator “shed light on a subject”. You make things easier to understand.
Artist and designers have an uncanny way of:
• Communicating a message, thought or idea: You graphic designers do this everyday!
• Making the intangible tangible. I think about my digital painting “Endure”. What does the concept of enduring look like?
• Recording facts: Artists throughout time have done this all through history. How do we know what George Washington looked like? Artists gave clarity to that. What did the Roman Coliseum look like before it fell into ruin. Artists documented it so that now we are enlightened as if we were there.
This ability to see the unseen, communicate the intangible and bring clarity to the unclear is a direct gift from the Master Creator, Himself.
It is the gift of discernment (to perceive, recognize, comprehend). It’s why artists always seem to see things a little differently than everyone else! Here is an example of it, seen here as God empowers His artists as they prepare to create His temple:
“… and He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and understanding (discernment, perception), in knowledge and all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works…” Exodus 35:31
We illustrators possess a God given ability to UNDERSTAND: to see the unseen, communicate the intangible and bring clarity to the unclear.
The closer we grow to the One that gave us this ability, the more we’ll find we can use it.
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Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Once again, brother, you have refreshed my heart concerning this path the Lord has me own.
I do caricatures and cartoon art.
I have to take detail and make it simple, then I have to apply simplicity on a subject or object that is perceived to be too complexed.
The Lord has allowed me to take revelations in His word and make it edible.
Not Noah, animals, and the Ark art, but Rom. 8:6 art.
I have found that simple gestured art bridges the gaps between the soul and the spirit (via the Holy Spirit) for those without light.
Thank you again for confirming this walk.
Hey Mel!
Yes, as a caricature artist I’m sure that you are VERY familiar with this concept!
Be Blessed-
Great stuff! ‘Making the invisible visible’ has been been a guiding principle for me as an artist/designer for a while. It pretty much echoes some things I heard Neville Brody talk about in London a couple of years ago… he was coming at things from a completely humanistic point of view but his comments about designers being translators of invisible concepts really hit home. It is a superpower and like in all the best comic books it comes with great responsibility…
Paul:
Thanks for the feedback.
It always interests me when people uncover concepts that are ultimetly rooted in God’s principles.
Were you actually in London when Mr. Brody spoke?
Very nice work
Endure!
Jo
Thanks, Jo!
[...] mentioned earlier, the artist or designer has a special, powerful and unique ability. Like the classic super hero, you, the artist have the unique ability to see the unseen and to make [...]
Hey,
Yes I heard Brody speak at an Adobe Live event in London in the summer of 2007, the transcript was available online for a while but seems to have disappeared now. Certainly got me thinking about the concept of ‘making the invisible visible’ and the way making visual/tangible signs, that point to and reveal the greater reality, can be a (dare I say) ‘prophetic’ act.
Paul
(taking the ‘in’ out of invisible)
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