Watercolor painting and artistic expression

[barnhart]

... Art in Old Order and Conservative groups — like quilting — is both aesthetic and useful. Art that is artistic or aesthetic without a “useful” purpose has been traditionally frowned upon.

I think this goes a long way to explain what I think of as Anabaptist ambivalence toward art. It's possibly a reaction to the excesses of the church state art projects, possibly a hyper protestant theological move to shift the focus and application of scripture internally (in the heart) and possibly an artifact of a culture that survived multiple dislocations where it made sense to focus more on the necessary than the aspirational.

[Szdfan]

This might relate to why watercolors might be controversial in some communities.

We have yet to determine that watercolor painting is frowned on anywhere in Anabaptist communities. My only experiences have been that water coloring is encouraged.

Okay, but isn’t artistic expression in general frowned upon or seen with suspicion except for a few approved forms? Would there be support for someone painting large, abstract canvases in acrylic?

[JohnH]

One wonders how many of you have been to Behalt.

[Ernie]

This might relate to why watercolors might be controversial in some communities.

We have yet to determine that watercolor painting is frowned on anywhere in Anabaptist communities. My only experiences have been that water coloring is encouraged.

Okay, but isn’t artistic expression in general frowned upon or seen with suspicion except for a few approved forms? Would there be support for someone painting large, abstract canvases in acrylic?

I doubt it. See my comments about expediency and edification.

[Ernie]

... Art in Old Order and Conservative groups — like quilting — is both aesthetic and useful. Art that is artistic or aesthetic without a “useful” purpose has been traditionally frowned upon.

I think this goes a long way to explain what I think of as Anabaptist ambivalence toward art. It's possibly a reaction to the excesses of the church state art projects, possibly a hyper protestant theological move to shift the focus and application of scripture internally (in the heart) and possibly an artifact of a culture that survived multiple dislocations where it made sense to focus more on the necessary than the aspirational.

While I agree that there is much ambivalence toward art, I still think there is appreciation for it in small amounts.

I think that rural, low income America has a lot of ambivalence toward art as well. Time and energy is put into other things. But here and there you see a non-Anabaptist lady that has a beautiful flowerbed, etc. So I don't think it is just Anabaptists.

It is the educated (at least to a greater percentage) who make a big deal about art.

[ohio jones]

One wonders how many of you have been to Behalt.

Heinz Gaugel was not a Plain Anabaptist, though. It may be easier to appreciate an Anabaptist-adjacent artist like Rembrandt or a non-Anabaptist artist like Picasso or Caravaggio than to support one of our own.

[mike]

... Art in Old Order and Conservative groups — like quilting — is both aesthetic and useful. Art that is artistic or aesthetic without a “useful” purpose has been traditionally frowned upon.

I think this goes a long way to explain what I think of as Anabaptist ambivalence toward art. It's possibly a reaction to the excesses of the church state art projects, possibly a hyper protestant theological move to shift the focus and application of scripture internally (in the heart) and possibly an artifact of a culture that survived multiple dislocations where it made sense to focus more on the necessary than the aspirational.

While I agree that there is much ambivalence toward art, I still think there is appreciation for it in small amounts.

I think that rural, low income America has a lot of ambivalence toward art as well. Time and energy is put into other things. But here and there you see a non-Anabaptist lady that has a beautiful flowerbed, etc. So I don't think it is just Anabaptists.

It is the educated (at least to a greater percentage) who make a big deal about art.

I visited a museum recently that is exclusively about early American coverlets. Mostly sewn by male weavers, these were incredible works of art that were functional while also very artistic. Some of the plans/designs used for these are also on display and are incredibly complex.

[barnhart]

... Art in Old Order and Conservative groups — like quilting — is both aesthetic and useful. Art that is artistic or aesthetic without a “useful” purpose has been traditionally frowned upon.

I think this goes a long way to explain what I think of as Anabaptist ambivalence toward art. It's possibly a reaction to the excesses of the church state art projects, possibly a hyper protestant theological move to shift the focus and application of scripture internally (in the heart) and possibly an artifact of a culture that survived multiple dislocations where it made sense to focus more on the necessary than the aspirational.

While I agree that there is much ambivalence toward art, I still think there is appreciation for it in small amounts.

I think that rural, low income America has a lot of ambivalence toward art as well. Time and energy is put into other things. But here and there you see a non-Anabaptist lady that has a beautiful flowerbed, etc. So I don't think it is just Anabaptists.

It is the educated (at least to a greater percentage) who make a big deal about art.

I wouldn't suggest it's isolated to Anabaptists, it's likely a phenomenon shared by other groups like Quakers, Puritans and independent fundamentalist Baptist.

[ohio jones]

We do need this. And we need the "others in the community" to be willing to actually listen to the doctors in their midst, the professional musicians, and others who have highly developed skill. What sometimes happens is a sort of "pooing pooing" of these folks.

That actually depends on what the professionals are saying. A person isn't necessarily better qualified to answer the question of "what is good music" just because he is a professional musician. Just as a person isn't necessarily better qualified to speak to moral issues related to end of life care just because he is a doctor.

This reminds me of what a very good musician and choral director (well-known these days in Anabaptist musical circles) said when asked what he thought of fiddle playing. "That's not music." That right there is an example of an elitist attitude in my view.

It's possible for even the truly elite to set aside elitist attitudes at times. Another director and composer (I assume it's not the same one) was asked by an elderly man in the choir, a well-known songleader in his community, whether it would be possible to include a bit of Gaither music in the program at some point rather than all highbrow compositions. The director allowed it might not be entirely out of the question. The next year he had us sing a rather complex yet down-to-earth arrangement of a classic by -- not Gaither, but even more surprisingly, Albert E. Brumley.

[Ernie]

I think this goes a long way to explain what I think of as Anabaptist ambivalence toward art. It's possibly a reaction to the excesses of the church state art projects, possibly a hyper protestant theological move to shift the focus and application of scripture internally (in the heart) and possibly an artifact of a culture that survived multiple dislocations where it made sense to focus more on the necessary than the aspirational.

While I agree that there is much ambivalence toward art, I still think there is appreciation for it in small amounts.

I think that rural, low income America has a lot of ambivalence toward art as well. Time and energy is put into other things. But here and there you see a non-Anabaptist lady that has a beautiful flowerbed, etc. So I don't think it is just Anabaptists.

It is the educated (at least to a greater percentage) who make a big deal about art.

I wouldn't suggest it's isolated to Anabaptists, it's likely a phenomenon shared by other groups like Quakers, Puritans and independent fundamentalist Baptist.

I'm suggesting it applies to many rural people, including those who don't have much religion. Making an income, having a good time with family and friends, and enjoying oneself are priorities. Fine arts are not.
There are exceptions of course, just like there are in Plain Anabaptist communities.