Lets Leave the Tools in the Artist's Hands

I started working on a small sculpture the other day. I was working with a small tan/brown soapstone from Brazil. It had come with a small stone carving set which I had purchased to get use to using the tools and to learn different techniques. After using a small file on the stone I realized that I was so excited to start that I never really gave it much thought of what this stone would become. It was at that moment that I had remembered a quote that my art history teacher told our class a few years back.

"Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it."

-Michelangelo

I was just cutting in and carving this stone without giving any thought of what I was trying to discover. I began to analyze the stone from every angle. I couldn't come to a conclusion so I put it down for a day or so. After some time had passed I picked it back up to see what I could possibly find in the stone. Nothing. I was at a loss again. However, this time I picked up the file again and began to brush it over the smooth surface of the stone. I was moving slow and began to analyze the stone as little stone flakes fell to the table. As I was analyzing the stone I once again remembered another quote from Michelangelo, "I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free." All of a sudden it registered with me that Michelangelo discovered the statue in the stone before ever carving it. I was trying to carve it before discovering it. I checked out the stone again and it was almost immediately that I realized what it was that I was suppose to "set free".

The purpose of this post is not the sculpture that I am currently working on, though you can count on me posting a picture of it when completed. Rather, It is about the quotes and the lesson that I learned. Michelangelo was saying that every piece of stone had an object or purpose in it. He understood that his job was to find what it was to be and to set it free to fulfill its purpose.

I've seen many sculptures of the famous biblical hero David. And each one was crafted different by each different artist. Donatello's rendition of David, which is one of my favorites, is of a young David with sword in hand as he stands victorious with his left foot on top of the severed head of Goliath.

These famous figures never carved themselves out to freedom; it was always a job left up to the sculpting masters. Now, obviously a stone figure can't just come to life and make that decision. It was just a thought that made me realize that in my own life I have picked up the tools to try to carve out what I felt was supposed to be apart of me and who I was to become. Often times, when holding the tools in my hands, I wouldn't even consult with the artist that had been patently working on me for years. I know that I am not the only one who has tried to take control into their own hands. Many people try to take control when they feel that life is hard and they are spinning out of control. So, here we are taking things into our own hands and trying to carve out what we think to be best for us. Meanwhile, before we were ever created, God, who is our master artist, has always known what we are to become and has been working on us; cutting off what isn't needed. Do you remember the old children's song "He's got the whole world in His hands"? That is for real. God has us in His hands and He is working on us. He knows what we are to become and how to get us there. You see, we are the ones that are trying to discover while He is the one that has already uncovered. He knows what piece is needed and what is not. We just need to learn how to keep the tools in His hands.