-by Jared Adamson
It finally happened.
For the first time in my life, I’m inspired to create something.
Hold up, that’s misleading.
For me, inspiration to create is not happening for the first time; nor is the desire to create unfamiliar to me. I earn my revenue from working in the Arts. But this time it’s different. I have a specific project in mind. And it scares me because it is something that I don’t know how to do. For my first time ever, I’m inspired to paint.
I’d been browsing online for artwork associated with the Christian Passion week. And believe me, there is a LOT! Visual artists across multiple mediums have captured or expressed their views of so many standard elements of those pericopes. The Crucifixion and Pieta are common tableaus that many artists over hundreds of years have portrayed and re-portrayed. Stations of the Cross in oils, acrylics, stone, wood, clay, glass, plastic, film and even pipe cleaners can be found. And though not necessarily from The Passion, how many Madonna & Child have you seen?
And my search inspired me.
Specifically, I had a muse, an idea for a…something, a…whatchamacallit, a… thingamabob…a…well, I don’t know what to call it. I want to paint a picture, a specific picture. I can sort of see it in my head. The problem is that I don’t paint. Never have, except a kitchen and a bedroom and that wasn’t very good. I have no experience, no education, and probably no business in painting.
But I’m inspired, doggone it, and want to take action.
And I want it to be good.
I want it to be more than mere refrigerator art.
Keep in mind, when I want to create music, to me, that is easy—both in performance and/or composition—because I am well trained and experienced in such projects. When I want to create a meal, my mama taught me well and Food Network® filled in the gaps. When I wanted to create a family…well, I guess we all know a little about pro-creation. But when it comes to painting, about the best I can do is to say I used to watch Bob Ross (he came on after The Price is Right when I skipped school) and I’m not colorblind.
So maybe I’ll have a heaping helping of motivation to go along with my serving of inspiration. I’ll exert myself and bring my inspiration to culmination and realization. You never know. I could be the next Picasso or Rembrandt or Caravaggio (or more likely, Pierre Brassau). Or maybe I’ll just sit here and bemoan what might have been. I’ll sit on my cushy couch and drink another glass of wine from a box, watching reruns of Maude.
I’m not really sure where to start or if I should start. Maybe in the coming weeks or months you’ll read a little something I wrote about my first experience painting. Or maybe I’ll stick with the devils I know. But as Wayne Gretzky said, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” So knowing me as I do, inspiration has budded like springtime and I refuse to let it die with maybe.
Jared Adamson 4/17/2018
Jared Adamson is the Minister of Worship and Creative Arts at Centerville Christian Church in Centerville, IN and a member of the DIVA Board of Directors. Studying voice, composition, organ and improv, he has a Bachelor of Music in Church Music with a double major in Bible and piano from Cincinnati Christian University where he later served as an adjunct professor in the music and worship department.
If what you have read here today inspires you, please check out the rest of our website. The Dudas Inspiration Venue for the Arts needs your support. Please contact us for more information.
