Find, live out your passion even if it’s atypical

What distinguishes a photograph that’s just a pretty
picture from a work of art?

Upon entering UCLA’s art program, I was constantly exposed
to this difference through the critiques I had in class. No longer
was it acceptable to photograph morning dew on leaves with the
early sun barely kissing the dew’s surface.

People were just not interested. It was too cliché.

I had a really hard time catching up with this concept. Trying
to find a balance between what I wanted to do and what I thought
the professor wanted me to produce was something I struggled with
in my work.

I distinctly remember one particular critique during my second
year, when a painting professor looked at the beginning stages of
my work.

“Your work seems to lack passion,” he flat out told
me. I just stared back at him because I didn’t know how to
respond. Instead, I just felt really numb. I was frustrated, and
being the overly sensitive person that I am, I cried a lot on the
walk back home.

“Who does he think he is?” was all I could think. It
would have been better for him to tell me that my work sucked,
instead of sugar-coating his critique by saying that I had no
passion.

I did have passion, and plenty of it.

My passion is my faith, and I wanted to express it. But I was
too scared to do so.

A lot of artists are not deeply religious people. Many of the
ones I’ve met don’t believe in a spiritual realm. For
me to present my artwork in this area is a sensitive thing.

There’s a verse in one of the four Gospels that asks,
“What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet
lose or forfeit his very self?”

This verse challenged me to express my true beliefs despite fear
of rejection by my peers. I find more joy in expressing myself
through my art in that way.

Being able to express your passion through a paintbrush, a
charcoal pencil, a camera or a lump of clay is a beautiful
thing.

I’m not sure where this Bachelor of Arts degree will lead
me, but I know what I love doing and who I love to glorify. That,
my friends, is my passion. I encourage you to find and live out
yours.

Lee was a 2003-2004 graphic artist.