'>
Ave Explores Series | Art and Architecture | Week 3
Faith Shines Forth
by Jen Norton
“Hail Mary, Full of Grace,” Jen Norton, 2013
I never set out to be a Catholic artist. I didn’t even know that was a thing. Probably like you, my exposure to religious art consisted of work by old, dead European masters and church bulletin graphics. But they say when God calls you to a mission, you will know it. My unexpected venture into and success with Catholic art is proof that is true.
As a child, I was painfully, debilitatingly shy. I didn’t possess any stand-out artistic talent. Rather, art was a safe place for me to be myself. When the outside world was too overwhelming, I could always retreat to my own space and draw, read, listen to music, and just dream. I was not conscious of it, but I now know that God was always with me in those seemingly silent moments. I have always found comfort in the silence where I am allowed to live a robust life inside my head, pondering and connecting thoughts until they make sense. As a wise friend once commented, “Art was my first language; English came second.”
It wasn’t until my mid-40s that God called me to create specifically Catholic work. Our daughter went through a difficult time in her early teen years. She has a learning difference we were unaware of and it was causing huge amounts of disruption and stress in her life and ours. I remember pleading to God and for Mary’s intercession to help her. I became devout in praying the Rosary, the one thing that kept me from feeling helpless. Underneath all the chaos, I started to hear the words “Let it be,” meaning “Don’t worry, it’s going to be OK.” As I let go of my fear and trusted, God countered with solutions and inspirations.
Art is emotional energy and mine was exhausted during this time of trial. Normally a focused worker, I was unable to create any art for more than a year. As the stress subsided, I felt called to paint my “Hail Mary” piece, my first specifically Catholic painting. The great response I got to it encouraged me to look more closely at my Catholic tradition as a subject matter. I wasn’t a Catholic-school kid, so some of the prayers, traditions, and saint stories weren’t part of my daily vernacular. As I started to fill out this new body of work, beginning with the sacraments, each piece taught me more about my faith. I began to experience the depth of our ancient tradition. My desire to share our ancient faith in a new, fresh, and modern way grew with every painting.
Engaging in any creative activity is like prayer because it teaches us how to find order amidst chaos. With each new idea, I must fight through fear of the blank canvas, which is really a fear of self-worth. I must learn to trust in the process and the discipline, just as one would in becoming proficient in a sport or a musical instrument. I have to let go of total control and open myself to unexpected surprises. If I get stuck in my own ego, judging my work “good” too early just because I made it, I might end up with lesser work. I must be patient, letting myself take the time it takes. I must let go of the fear of wasting time—and paint—and be open to changing course if needed. I must learn how to edit the elements of the work without self-judgment to achieve the best outcome. Like prayer, each painting is a petition and each piece reveals deeper meaning as it is created.
Both making and viewing art can teach us how to hear God amidst life’s distractions because it puts us in touch with our emotional selves. It is essential to our peace of mind and life purpose to be able to discern truth and beauty in a noisy world. Art gives us a safe place to explore our feelings without the usual level of judgment and censorship. As you participate by viewing my interpretation of our common stories, my wish is that you can pause and listen with a softened heart and new eyes. I hope when you look at my work, you know these truths and this beauty are for YOU too!
When you study any art, it’s important to go beyond the subjective judgment of “good” or “bad” and consider how it makes you FEEL. Is it comforting or challenging? Don’t stop with a simple answer; try to discern why. What was the artist’s motivation? What story were they trying to tell at the time they created the work, and why was it authentic to them? Can you look beyond your first impression for a deeper meaning? Do you find connection with it?
Do you have your own creative inspirations you are holding back out of fear? Ask yourself how might God be asking you to use your talents to connect with others. If he is calling you to a creative life, he will help you find it!
Download this article as a PDF here.
Jen Norton is an award-winning painter whose work has appeared on the cover of books including Word by Word and The Catholic Mom’s Prayer Companion. She was also the author and illustrator for Surrender All: An Illuminated Journal Retreat through the Stations of the Cross and Arise to Blessedness: A Journal Retreat with Eight Modern Saints Who Lived the Beatitudes. View more of her work at JenNortonartstudio.com.
Books to Consider
Based on Your Reading
