The Gift of Creativity: Made in His Image

Holy Family by Tricia Hampo ©2016

Genesis 1:27 – “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”  I am an artist – thanks to the gift God gave me.  I love to create.  This passion of mine, this gift, often makes me think of this verse in the Bible.  God created me in His image.  He loves to create too!  So I often think about what it is about creating that I love.  I love the process to be sure.  I love to play with all the tools and the different mediums and endless ways of creating, making marks, shapes and forms in both 2 and 3 dimensions.  Searching for inspiration is always fun, sometimes challenging but almost always an adventure.  Seeing my ideas come to life and transform from one minute to the next is a definite rush.  I often wonder if God had similar thoughts and feelings, after all we are made in His image and likeness.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help by Tricia Hampo ©2017

Then comes the end of the “project”, the finished creation (which can always be a challenge for the artist – knowing when it is complete).  Now, what happens?  It’s almost a bit of a let down.  All the work, the excitement, the ideas, the challenges, the failures or disappointments, the epiphanies, they all come to a close as the piece is looked over and deemed finished!  Whew!  Do you think God was let down at the end of the 6th day?  Of course not.  And God said, “it is good!”  I can’t say I look over my work every time and say, “it is good!” but I will say I most likely enjoyed the process.  I am pretty sure I learned something about myself, about the process, the tools, techniques or mediums.  Which I will say, “it is good” that I learned something.  I do love to learn!

Immaculate Heart of Mary by Tricia Hampo ©2017

Now what?  Now that the “art” is created, the process of creating is complete.   I often think of God and His creations.  He completes his creation but doesn’t just stop there.  He brings it to life and sends it forward to keep living, to make a difference, to grow, to change, to love, to have an affect on other creations.  It’s not over for Him and His creations, they live on, they grow, change, love, share, affect one another and the environment God created for them.

I guess that is how I see my artwork.  I want it to live on, to serve a purpose; to please, inform, teach, inspire, evoke emotions, add beauty.  What artist doesn’t wish that for their creations?  If buried in a pile in the basement, their purpose has been exhausted.  So I ask then, what creation made in His image, doesn’t desire to serve a purpose with meaning and beauty?  What creation wouldn’t desire eternal life?  God, when he created us, planted these desires in our hearts and oh my, IT IS GOOD!