The Visual Arts and My Faith: Camryn Price

Art has contributed to my life as a Christian and has also led me to a very important community that has shaped my relationship with Christ for the better. 

Before I began my college journey at Louisiana Tech and joined the Wesley Foundation, I used the musical arts as a way to give glory to God and worship Him. Whether I was tagging along with my Baptist friends to Youth Evangelism Conference (YEC), performing a solo for my home church of twelve people, or playing the flute for a reenactment of The Last Supper, I mostly used music to spend time with Christ. Music had always been a very large part of my faith. Eventually, I began using the visual arts as a form of worship, as well. I learned how this was possible by a very talented artist named Frank Kelley.

I met Mr. Kelley when I visited his gallery when I was seventeen years old. I spent almost an hour admiring his art and achievements. Eventually, I introduced myself to him, and we struck up a conversation. He spoke about the meanings of his many works, some being very personal and others being universal and relatable. He was very passionate about the meanings behind his paintings. I, on the other hand, was more impressed with his style, execution, and technical skills. I asked him what his methods were, and he gave me an answer that I was not expecting. 

He began by explaining that he worked on multiple paintings at a time. Mr. Kelley said that while one was drying, he would move to another and switch several times during his work hours. I was amazed that he was able to multitask in such a way and asked him how he was able to do this. He told me that painting was a spiritual process for him. 

I wish that I had a direct quote because it was one of the most beautiful things I had ever heard. Mr. Kelley described how he lost himself when painting because he would connect with God during that time. I remember thinking that the certain feeling he felt when creating art compared to the feeling I experienced when creating music. At this time I had been very interested in the visual arts as a career, but when Mr. Kelley told me about his method of worship, I considered trying this myself - and I did. 

I put on some music, put away my cell phone, and got out my acrylic paints. I had no idea what I was going to make, but I knew that I was going to talk to God while I made it. 

I have always had trouble finishing things. Most of the paintings I am proudest of are not finished to this very day. I finished this one, though. 

Although my art has changed the way I spend time with the Lord, it has also led me to important people in my life. 

I had planned to look for the Wesley Foundation before I even began college. Growing up a Methodist all of my life, I knew it would be the perfect place to grow my faith and continue cultivating my relationship with God. 

Sometimes, it’s very difficult to tell what God has planned for me. Since the beginning of my college education, I have changed my major once. I have also altered my career plans several times. But, other times, His plan for me is very simple and clear - like the time I met Chlese Jiles. 

Although I didn’t know it at the time, Chlese was the first person I met from the Wesley Foundation. We were at the concert during my Freshman Orientation in July when we began talking about art.

I remember us both talking in the loud crowd about our passion and relating to one another very well. At the time, this was not only a very fruitful conversation but also a huge relief to find a friend in a sea of people I didn’t know and, at the time, was too afraid to talk to. Chlese was very kind to me and eventually invited me to go eat with her and her friends. I was very hesitant at first because they were strangers, but I ended up saying yes. After I met her other friends, I looked at one of their shirts and saw the name: “Wesley Foundation.”

“The Wesley Foundation? I’ve been looking for you guys!” I exclaimed excitedly. I knew, in that moment, that being a part of this wonderful group was a part of God’s plan for me. 

Beginning college can be very challenging. Along with learning how to take care of myself, I also found that being on my own was very lonely. Before I made friends, the Wesley Foundation provided me with a community that I could lean on for support. This group has also helped me maintain my relationship with God in a way that is much deeper and way more personal than before. This is all because of a shared passion for art between two strangers and the will of my Lord. 

Camryn Price is a sophomore Studio Art major at Louisiana Tech. After jumping right in at her freshman orientation, she has been a vibrant and beloved member of the La Tech Wesley community. Camryn is a faithful person with a willingness to serve and ask hard questions. You can often find her dancing, sporting a cute outfit, telling a crazy story, or laughing with friends.