Knowing Art and Artist

Posted on by Gary Fultz

It was raining and raining and next day raining with low temps and occasional snowflakes. What does a person (who has been deathly ill with a level 10 cold) with a photo hobby do ? I put on a big coat and hat and went looking for art and reflections. My thoughts are at the end.

I will be honest, when I saw that rain drop it looked like it contained two bright fish hooks for trout.

It is said that when one has a hammer, everything looks like a nail (especially if it’s my grandkids). In this case I had a camera (trying to keep it dry under a coat) and was looking for Artwork in nature. I think I found some.

Last years seed strands were still hanging. I see they are full of little drops so I get closer

I can’t quite focus (sigh, I need a better close up lens) but am amazed at the artwork of a seed strand that looks like…fur?
The lowly weed, last years crop. Dead but still standing and catching raindrops reflecting artistry all around.
Winters leftovers, an array of color enhance by the rain.
I am mesmerized by the deep colors all over the woods
last years curled leaf holding a raindrop full of colors (purple showed upon enlarging photo)

I am an absolute nature lover. I have climbed mountains, wilderness camped winter and summer, my wife and I went white water rafting on our second honeymoon and the list can go on and on. There is a deep seated level of contentment looking into the fire while watching the morning fog lift off a remote lake as a pair of loons catch fish in front of camp. The beauty of a small tucked away lake with white cedars leaning over the shorelines while trout feed on an occasional bug falling off a limb is mind boggling. All I did for the above pictures was walk outside into my back yard in the rain.

I am also an avid committed follower of Jesus, the author of creation, the one spoken of in Colossians 1:17 “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” I have led and co-led 64 trips into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (click link for pictures). There seems to be a huge myth about how much we can get to know God by being in nature. I’ll put it in big bold letters.

How well can we get to know an artist personally by studying their brush strokes?

We can’t. We can only know something about them. It is the same with God. we can sure feel good out there. We can sure enjoy his artwork and marvel at the intricate pieces, but, God is not found in the rain drop, the leaf, a most beautiful flower or on top a mountain. Yet, He is here, there, ready to meet with us should we seek him at any given place or time. Always ready, nature or not. Please consider asking Jesus Christ into your life. An immediate effect is his artwork will mean so much more when you know the artist.

Luke 11:9-10 – “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

Gary

23 thoughts on “Knowing Art and Artist”

  2. You make a great point, Gary. Nature is not divine, but the creator of nature is. There are some who hug trees and talk about the “life force” of rivers, yet spurn the God who made them.

    People fail, trees fall and mighty rivers change course or even run dry. The whole earth is wearing out like a garment, but He remains unchanged. I think there’s a scripture that says this somewhere.

    Mini sermon over. My apologies for writing a post in your comments.

    Thank you, brother. I enjoyed both the post and the pictures.

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    1. I rather enjoyed the post. I had most of that and more until I edited it way down to the simplest thought. I presented a skeleton of thought. I like it when the comments section fills in the rest of the body.

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  4. I love the idea of nature being God’s artistry. Never had looked at it that way but it’s SO true. Creation is his greatest masterpiece. And I’m grateful for the ways you share it. The pictures are amazing.

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  6. As you have said Gary in the comment above, ‘our spirits do need relationships.’ As we grow in faith, our relationship with God grows and grows. I think He waits for teachable moments that happen throughout our lives. In fact, these moments happen every day. The ‘artwork’ He creates is beyond amazing, as your photos clearly capture. But beyond the beauty of the raindrop is the love that is stirred in our hearts… for the One who calls us by name.

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    1. Ahh, inner artwork of the soul. That’s a good follow up Linda. That’s really what everyone wants in the long run. We will get way more than we ever realized…possibly starting with a raindrop.

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  7. What a great way to share the wonder that our God is, stunning photography and a powerful message. God has given you such wisdom through your love of photography and nature.
    You made me laugh with your comment in the second photo.
    Great work Gary. Thank you so much for sharing.

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    1. Thanks Crissy. I have this odd default system where all roads lead to fishing. When Jesus asked Peter in the last Chapter of john “Do you love me more than these?” I know he was pointing at the fish.

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  9. Beautiful pictures and excellent point Gary! “How well can we get to know an artist personally by studying their brush strokes? We can’t. We can only know something about them. It is the same with God.” I love being out of doors, mostly because it is the place where I naturally quiet my mind and listen as I take in my surroundings. And what do I hear? I hear the words of scripture I’ve read, studied, and committed to memory come bubbling up from my heart. Only by knowing and loving the WORD can I know my Creator and Savior and only then can I fully appreciate creation.

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    1. Thank you Geri. There really is a universe smaller than us we don’t know a lot about. I keep thinking, what if we had been made the size of an ant. Our exploration scale would be so different with so much to discover bigger and smaller.

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  11. Yes Beth, He walks wih us through the gardens he has created if we walk with him. Strange how the choice is our to become one with him or attempt oneness with creation.
    My cousin, a logger once encountered someone in the woods looking to become one with nature. My cousin said to him, “I can help. Stand there and let me fall a tree on your head and you will becme one with nature very fast”. Crude but true. Natures end game is for us to become soil for the seed.

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