I think GOD gave us the basic skills to create, dance, sing, and all other skills which are classified as the arts (I also believe that everyone has a special GOD given ability/purpose, but we are talking about artists, so I will limit myself to such). I believe He passed this to us via genetics. I also believe He gave each of us various degrees of such skills. Meaning some people are able to sing decently (singing is an example) where as others can sing but not so good. As far as I know all children can draw and sing if there is not a physical or mental reason they are unable to. We all can learn to sing better with knowledge, practice and hard work.

I was born with the genetic ability to create. My parents both had artistic abilities, and upon looking at the family lines on both sides, art skills are very apparent. Thus it was easy for me to learn the skills of drawing. I can not say that this was a calling of my parents. My family does not walk with GOD. They know of Him and taught me about Him and so forth. Basically what I am saying is I do not feel they were filling a calling of any sorts. They just did art because it ran in their blood genetically. It makes them happy. They may have a GOD calling in art, they just never developed the relationship with GOD to get that far in their spiritual development.

I think there are 3 levels of ability. The fist level entails the basic skill ability in which GOD has placed in all of us. For example, everyone can sing and learn to sing. An Artist (the second level) goes beyond this. An artist has it running in their blood. They are not happy unless they are singing. They are their happiest when they are. There was a point in my life I was focusing on becoming a scientist. I worked hard at it. Yet art was always there with me. I would doodle or write poetry. I could not help myself. There would be times where I thought I would go crazy if I could not do something. During these times, grabbing a coloring book and crayons would relieve the over whelming desire to create something. Eventually I could no longer ignore my art. I ended up giving up my pursuit of genetics and turned to art. I think an artist can not ignore their skills and abilities. If they are, they are not happy, or their abilities are showing up some way in their life. Those that just learn the skills, do not have this haunting muse in their life. They probably enjoy the skill they learned and they may have a great desire to be a great singer, but the desire to just sing for the sake of singing doesn’t burn in their soul.

The third level is a GOD calling. GOD can call anyone whom He chooses. It can be someone at any of the previous 2 levels, or someone that has never developed any basic skills whatsoever. I believe a person whom has an artistic calling from GOD is distinguished in that what they do / create touches the soul of others. It speaks to them on a spiritual level. The one with the calling may not see it or understand it. They may never realize exactly how they have affected others. I do believe they do know when that calling has fallen upon them and when it “kicks in”. I cant say I have done a lot of art that had GOD’s hand in it, but I do know the pieces that GOD called me to do. I believe they spoke to those whom the pieces were meant for.

I know GOD has used me as an artist. I am not to the point I can say my creative abilities are a calling. It has taken me a long time to understand what I have just written. If I am called as a creator, I sure wish I knew what I am supposed to be doing.

Well put.

By the way, it’s good to hear from you again!
I hope all is well with you and the folks in the Phillipines.

Tony-

What particular plan he has for our particular talent, skill, and passion for the arts – we have to MAKE it our own.