05/12/2026
A Professional Statement on Creative Work, Judgment, and Direct Communication
Recently, someone took offense to a creative folklore-inspired photoshoot I published on my website. Rather than reaching out to me directly, they chose to involve religious leadership connected to my family.
I was never contacted.
I was never asked my intent.
I was never given the opportunity to have a conversation.
Instead, assumptions were made, my parents were dragged into the situation, and unnecessary conflict was created where direct communication could have solved everything.
That part matters to me deeply because scripture is actually very clear on how offense should be handled.
“First make your peace with your brother, and then come back and offer your gift.” — Matthew 5:24
That was bypassed entirely.
If someone truly had concerns about my work, my website contains a contact button on every single page. I am approachable. I answer messages. A respectful conversation could have happened at any point.
Instead, slander and escalation were chosen first.
For clarity: I am a professional artist and storyteller. Krampus is folklore. Mythology. Cultural storytelling. A photograph of a costumed folklore creature is not worship, spiritism, or devotion any more than the artwork of your religion publications and theatrical dramatizations involving spirit creatures. It is all STORYTELLING.
A costume is not a creed.
A photoshoot is not a ritual.
Storytelling is not worship.
As someone of German heritage, this project also connected to cultural folklore tied to my ancestry. Artists throughout history have explored mythology, religion, legends, fears, morality tales, fantasy, and symbolism through paintings, theater, literature, photography, and film. Exploring a subject artistically does not automatically mean endorsing it spiritually.
And honestly, situations like this are a major reason I have slowly distanced myself from organized religion over the years.
Not because of art.
Not because of folklore.
Not because of creativity.
But because of the judgment, gossip, selective outrage, performative righteousness, and hypocrisy that too often overshadow compassion, humility, empathy, and honest communication.
Matthew 7:1-5 says:
“Stop judging that you may not be judged; for with the judgment you are judging, you will be judged, and with the measure that you are measuring out, they will measure out to you… Why, then, do you look at the straw in your brother’s eye but do not notice the rafter in your own eye? … Hypocrite! First remove the rafter from your own eye.”
And John 8:7 says:
“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”
None of us are perfect. None of us move through life without contradictions, flaws, questionable entertainment choices, mistakes, or private struggles. Yet some people become incredibly comfortable policing someone else’s conscience.
If someone looks hard enough, they can find fault in nearly anything:
Movies.
Music.
Books.
Wedding traditions.
Jewelry.
Folklore.
Art.
At some point, people stop protecting spirituality and start simply looking for reasons to be offended.
Romans 14:19 says:
“So, then, let us pursue the things making for peace and the things that build one another up.”
Romans 12:18 says:
“If possible, as far as it depends on you, be peaceable with all men.”
What happened here did not create peace. It did not build anyone up. It created stress for my family and reinforced exactly why so many creative, thoughtful, empathetic people quietly walk away from environments built more around fear and judgment than understanding.
I removed the post out of respect for my parents and my current living situation, not because I believe artistic storytelling, folklore, or imagination are moral failings.
Moving forward, if you ever have concerns about my work, speak to me directly.
Not around me.
Not through my family.
To me.
