I’ve been studying Art for 2 years now, and been a pagan for almost 1, and yet it was only recently that I discovered the true power of the work of art. Every artist, every time they create a true work of art, is altering the universe. In other words, performing a spell whether they realize it or not.

I was recently assigned a difficult assignment: to create a work of art representing my heart. Even though it was due a week ago, I still haven’t finished and I’ve started over twice already. This probably has something to do with the fact that I’ve actually seen my heart, and therefore am having trouble putting it on one piece of paper, but it is mostly because I realized as I was working on it the truth that I am presenting in this essay: If I mess up, I could end up changing my own heart forever. BS-ing this assignment is not an option for me. I’ve seen the pieces my classmates turned out, at least half were BS. Another quarter were ridiculously simplified and superficial. The final quarter were beautiful, serious reflections on the truth of the creator’s heart. I could feel the truth resonating off of these seemingly powerless pieces of paper. The trouble is, did they represent the truth before they were finished? If not, the artist changed themselves through the power of their own sincerity and seriousness toward the project.

Of course, I know my professor well enough to know that he intended this assignment to change us, but only to change our awareness of our own heart. For those who succeeded, they will be better artists for the challenge. I’ve also determined that he knows this truth, that the project would change the artist if they committed error, but at least they would know their new selves in the end.
 
As I came to the conclusion I’m writing about now, I also realized that every true artist knows this. In fact it is a goal of our education for us to learn this truth. It is, if you will, a mystery of the clan of artists. Don’t worry, I am not being irresponsible for publishing this mystery here. That is because the audience who will read this essay already not only believes phenomena such as this to be possible, but we also have the vocabulary to discuss it. The vast majority of art students have neither quality, and thus must discover this mystery in their own time and manner. After all, if you told the average student that their art had the power to change reality not only through others viewing it but through the very act of making it, do you really think that they’d believe you?

I apologize for the unorganized and slightly rambling nature of this essay. This idea still holds the gripping power of a recent revelation over me, so I’m not able to write intelligently about it. But I do have to write about it, and share it right now. When I have restored my power of reason I will re-write it. But for now, I hope you can understand.

Sincerely,
Rain Taker