Yes, I captured this image from the Voorlinden Museum on Instagram. Their profile is one of my very favorite to follow. The image was in their story this past July. In the reel Suzanne Swarts speaks eloquently about what seems to be an enormous photograph, but what is in fact an oil painting. Here is the link to see all of the works of German artist, Stephan Kaluza’s:
Stephan Kaluza’s Transit 155, 2022
When we look at this detailed, but lively painting of a forest we know what excellence looks like. The reason my July newsletter is devoted to the idea of “excellence in Art” is all my friend, Donna’s fault. She sent me an article that states: “Meanwhile, the ‘Christian’ creative industry peddles kitsch so shoddy it borders on blasphemy.” Now, before you get your hackles up, please realize the author is speaking of the visual art made by Christians. But, the writing did make me consider some significant points:
- Is “Christian Art” really a thing?
- What constitutes excellence in Art?
- Does God really decide about excellence in Art?
- Does God demand excellence of His children?
MAN!!! THESE ARE SOME BIG THOUGHTS!!!
The major problem with the idea of excellence in visual Art is that there are standards that determine what it means for something to be excellent. This month’s High/ Low/ Buffalo is only going to cover this question regarding the desire to achieve excellence. Here is how it goes…
My friend Mary M. gave me a quote her husband Lance used to say, “Everyone is doing the best that they can.” Of course cynical me asked, “Even an axe murderer?” She looked at me deeply with the best smile and said, “Yes, even axe murderers.”
I am not certain I believed her, even so, at that moment I was convicted to live the life in my head from this perspective. Mainly, because to do so moved my heart toward thinking that is based in mercy and compassion. Andrew Torba’s article comes in at this point. It is called, Modern “Christian” Art is a Joke—Here’s How to Fix It. As I read it, I thought but, “Everybody is doing their best” and that means even Christian artists. I guess I thought this mainly because Torba asserts that Christian artists settle for “good enough.” Below is paragraph:
“Burn the plastic subculture. God isn’t a branding gimmick. Unless we’re willing to bleed, grind, and scrap anything unworthy—we shouldn’t bother. The world doesn’t need Christian karaoke. It needs creators who’d rather die than insult God with mediocrity. Jobs (Reference is to Steve Job’s push for the iPhone to be excellent) refused to settle. Why do we?” Andrew Torba
Does God Judge Our Art with Demand?
I don’t know about you, but if this thinking went with me up to my studio I would not ever get up there! I fight the idea of everything I do being crap every day. God as a demanding task-master shouting at me to “do better” would paralyze my making before I began. In fact, as a high school art teacher I used to say this almost everyday to my students, “Do better! God doesn’t like schlock!” These words did not inspire them to do ANYTHING with excellence.
In all likelihood, Mr Torba didn’t mean his article to be discouraging. He wants all the makers who love Jesus to read his words and rally to creating works that glorify God through scrutiny and deliberation.
Once again, as I conversed with Mary M., she said, “I am sure you agree with Torba about art in some way.” She suggested that the Art in children’s Bibles is often vapid; filled with commercial idealism. As I began to reread his piece, I realized this was the idea Torba was communicating.
Our LOW for this newsletter has to do with the idea of standards of excellence.
Here on Mind Over Things That Matter, I constantly assert that Art is collectively determined or defined. I do not think that same is true for the idea of Beauty OR the characterization of Excellence.
Who determines what objects of Art hold to this highest of descriptors? Does God really want all that human beings make to be excellent? If yes, how do we know that?
- Who says whether Art is excellent?
- Is it only Christians who should consider making stuff that is Excellent?
our Buffalo: God does Not Determine the Excellence of Art: Human Beings DO!
even those who do not know they care about art
Let’s look once more at the Art of Stephan Kaluza. It is amazing!!! It isn’t even the skill that makes it so wonderful, it is that the viewer can SMELL this area of forest! It is lush and almost intimidating. This painting is most certainly Excellent!!! I do not know the beliefs of Mr Kaluza. But, I know what he does with his life. He has invested in this work to connect us to each other and to the life of the Creator of all this green! I pray that if He doesn’t know the goodness of the savior, Jesus, that one day he will. Mr. Kaluza has exemplified the excellence of our Creator God. So good!! Just Excellent.
Here is the real BUFFALO- I just love looking at this work!!! Whether he is a Christian or not. It connects me to people and to God.
It is 108 paint filled used communion cups. 🙂
Next newsletter will cover more on Thomas Kinkade 😐
Mainly because one of my close friends has asked me to tell the tale.
Mind over things that matter 
4 responses to “Do Everything with Excellence, Duh!”
Haven’t finished reading yet, I will, however I wanted to thank you so much for sendingSent from my iPhoneMary Minor
Thank you for always caring about what I write! Thank you for commenting. I hope we can get together to discuss this one very soon.
Now I’m drawn to go back to my original style of painting!
Thanks for commenting Skylar! I love your paintings! Cant wait to see you soon.