The Artisan Blog

The greatest possible work of art there can ever be is the human life, especially when lived in the right way. Life is a masterpiece, but it created depending on what you do in your life. When one has an open heart for God and for helping others, and they put their thoughts into actions, they are drawing the masterpiece of their own life. This is what Erwin Raphael McManus, author of The Artisan Soul, believes greatly in the seventh chapter of his book. The book itself, which focuses on different forms of art and faith hits its most faith-based chapter yet, as McManus explains the importance of living a life that serves others, just as Christ did. "Remember, the only world we can create is the one that reflects our soul. All art is an extension of ourselves. That may be in the simplest definition what art is and has always been. Art is an expression of the human need to create. As Artisans, our story tells the story of all of us. When art becomes universal and intimate, it b...

The sixth chapter of The Artisan Soul by Erwin Raphael McManus goes deep from an artistic and philosophical standpoint that we do not necessarily ever think about. The main message: To know your limits as an artist, to know that every form of art is limited in some way or another and how to work within those limits to create the most unique and best work imaginable. Work with the canvas you are given and then embrace it. "The canvas informs the creative act. This may be painful for a person who values creative freedom. Our creativity is not in conflict with boundaries but must work with them. To break free of the limits of any medium, we must first embrace them," McManus says (p. 146-147). For example, for a painter, all colors are nuanced expressions of three primary colors, which happen to be blue, red, and yellow. Although we might want to change that, one has no control over it; it is simply factual, that's how it was created/intended to be. However, one can...

Just about everybody has their own aspirations and goals in life, but do they ever achieve them? And if they do, are they successful? The fifth chapter of The Artisan Soul by Erwin Raphael McManus emphasizes on your "craft" and what you are meant to do in life, ir if you're even good at it. He compares legendary names such as Mozart who was extremely talented but never lived past the age of 35. If he lived a longer life, would he have continued to write and compose music or would he fade away into the shadows and live the rest of his life seemingly forgotten? McManus also compares this concept to famous professional athletes. They are role models and seen as heroes, but their professional careers don't exactly last very long, as most athletes retire between their 30's and 40's. The reason being is because they are their best in their prime, in their youth; and as time goes on, and their bodies ware down due to the physicality of the sport they play, it i...

Can You Imagine? We always hear or talk about how children have so much imagination. They are always so creative and can come up with various scenarios in one moment for almost any situation. Then as we get older, life becomes more complicated, we learn more and differentiate what is practical and what is not practical, and for many people, their imagination becomes almost non-existent. Some may have had their imagination die when their childhood did. But it shouldn't. As a college student, now that I think back on it, I've realized that I don't nearly have the same amount of imagination that I did as a child... no one does. However, that does not mean that I simply will let it die. I believe that is entirely possible to be practical and knowledgeable, and still have a solid imagination. Author of The Artisan Soul, Erwin Raphael McManus, described just how important this skill is: "The human imagination is perhaps the most distinct, unique, and valuab...