Finding Your Voice as a Christian Music Artist: An Interview with John Van Deusen
A Christian music artist found his voice through artistic exploration and a supportive community.
The video interview made by Fuller Studio delves into John Van Deusen’s perspective on the role of faith in art, the importance of community for artistic growth, and the challenges and breakthroughs he experienced while creating a devotional piece of art.
John opens the discussion by expressing his belief that God desires honesty in human expression, and views art as a powerful tool for achieving this. He acknowledges the initial difficulty he faced in inviting God into his creative process, but describes how his heart softened and his love for God grew, making this collaboration a thrilling experience.
He recounts feeling like an outsider in the church, but the Brehm Residency program provided a space for him to connect with a community of artists who shared his faith. This supportive environment empowered him to embrace his identity as a Christian artist, something he previously shied away from.
Van Deusen has a preference for creating simple art using basic tools. However, the Brehm Residency program challenged him to step outside his comfort zone. He discovered a network of other spiritually sensitive artists who weren't concerned with creating art for the sole purpose of serving the church, but were driven by a deeper creative calling. This newfound freedom led him to create his first piece of publicly Christian art, a devotional piece that defied many of his artistic boundaries.
He also reflects on the importance of diversity in one's upbringing. Van Deusen believes that being exposed to people from various backgrounds fosters empathy and the ability to appreciate the complexities of the world. He concludes by emphasizing that embracing the unknown is essential for artistic growth, and a childhood experience with diverse perspectives can prepare one to be a more sensitive and impactful artist.
In all, Van Deusen offers a glimpse into the world of a Christian music artist navigating his faith and artistic expression. John's story highlights the significance of artistic communities, the power of vulnerability in art, and the transformative potential of stepping outside one's comfort zone.
You can watch the full interview below. Do you work in the music/recording artist? If so, how does your faith shape your art?
