Adventurous Living: The Artist - 2 Aug 2016
“Believing in God is one thing, but believing in the gifts he has given us is more complex…”
As part of our #CalltotheWild series we’re exploring adventure in all its forms. We chatted to Emma Hawthorne who’s part of 24-7’s West Belfast Community. Her everyday adventure comes from being an artist and here, she shares a bit of her journey:
Tell us a little about yourself and where you live:
In a few months I’m moving to live in West Belfast. As an artist, this has been my main work area for about two years. Art is my vocation, and over the past few years I’ve found myself reflecting on this on a deeper level; immersing myself in art in a progressively profound way.
How did you come to be where you are now? Would you call it an adventure?
Someone wise once said to me, “If this is the adventure, I wish I’d kept my receipt!”
The work in Belfast came about by accident at a very low point in my (somewhat non-existent) career. But it fitted together well, and eventually I fell in love with the place. As a result, I became increasingly challenged by how I was spending my time - I was working 3 different jobs and was exhausted; but an art career didn’t seem to be that secure. I came from a culture where the arts aren’t valued or understood, but I realised that that if I didn’t dig my heels in about what my gut was saying I wouldn’t end up anywhere.
Wrestling with art - and with God - has been, at times, a very painful experience but full of substance and significance. And along the way, I’ve learnt to embrace being an artist.
What are some of the highlights and challenges you’ve encountered so far?
I’ve seen that being an artist is a privilege and for me, being able to devote myself to shaping culture is a wonderful thing. The challenge has been maintaining positivity, and sturdy belief. Believing in God is one thing, but believing in the gifts he has given us is perhaps more complex and weighty. It’s a journey. Living out a particular purpose - in my case, being an artist - requires a sharpening of wisdom and wits and surrendering yourself to what it is you’re being called to.
How has God guided and helped in those moments you’ve been uncertain?
Before I started working in Belfast I felt very isolated. I’ve had other difficult circumstances in life, and it sounds dramatic, but sometimes that cliché of the artist exclaiming, “no one understands me!” rings true. That’s where I hold my hands up and can only give what seems such a puny, embarrassing little “thank you” to God for his grand providence of ‘kindred spirits’ to make art with; all within his big framework called life.
People often ask whether I do Christian art too; there was a time when I felt guilty for not doing something that seemed more spiritual or ‘Churchy’. However, while art is my livelihood, it’s also my devotional life. I don’t consider there to be any spiritually superior art; I’m realising it’s all God’s gift and it’s all sacred.
What piece of advice would you give to someone who’s not sure what God’s calling them to next?
Take your time and listen to God, as well as others you trust who are speaking wisely and positively. When in a place of ‘in-between’ we can feel like we’ve failed because we’re not successful in the world’s terms. This is not God’s perspective, and as human beings we need to convey this to each other; overriding surrounding negativity with our actions and presence.
What’s the best way to approach a life of adventure, in your opinion?
I think sometimes the practicalities of investing in an idea can be bypassed in a world of flashing lights and hype. For me, that’s meant investing time into being financially secure; being adventurous doesn’t mean being careless. As I became more financially secure, I was able to take more steps forward in becoming an artist. It has been completely exhausting at times, but the first few years of a new project are the hardest!
Be positive, no matter what your next adventure is.
This blog is part of our summer series, A Call to the Wild, exploring real adventures. You can keep up to date with the whole lot on the blog or by following us on instagram.
