Selling Art in 2026: 7 Proven Strategies for Christian Artists

ISSUE #043

Over the years, I’ve learned that clarity doesn’t come from chasing trends—it comes from paying attention to fruit. Recently, I surveyed hundreds of artists inside our mentoring community and asked one simple question: Where did the money actually come from in your art business this year? Not hopes. Not guesses. Just results.

What came back was incredibly encouraging. These artists weren’t hustling harder or gaming algorithms. They were building real relationships, showing up consistently, and leaning into simple, proven pathways that work year after year. And honestly, it felt like a deep breath of fresh air.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, behind, or unsure what to focus on next, this issue is for you. Let’s clear the fog and ground ourselves again in what actually works—and how God faithfully meets us there.

In His love and creativity,
Matt Tommey

PS – Don’t miss all the great artist mentoring resources we have available for you. Click here to find out more.

This Issue Sponsored By:

A Simple, Proven Pathway for Christian Artists Who Want to Start or Restart Selling Their Art

If you’re ready to move your art out of the sidelines and into the marketplace—with clarity, peace, and confidence—this course was created for you. (Brand new in 2026!)

Find Out More

Carved in Stone, Rooted in Faith

Sculptor Besada Yakoub creates monumental works shaped by prayer, ancient form, and unwavering devotion—where every carved line becomes an act of praise. READ MORE

CONNECT

Faithfulness Bears Fruit

Scripture: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.” — Matthew 25:21 (NIV)

God is not asking you to master everything—He’s asking you to be faithful with what’s in front of you. As I read through these survey responses, one thing stood out clearly: fruit followed faithfulness. Artists who stayed connected to God, to people, and to their calling saw provision come in ways that were often quieter—but deeply sustainable.

Prayer:
Lord, thank You that You see my faithfulness, even when progress feels slow. Help me trust that You are at work behind the scenes as I show up with obedience and love. Lead me by Your Spirit into the paths that bring both provision and peace. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Action Step:
Spend five minutes today asking the Holy Spirit: Where am I being invited to stay faithful instead of striving for more? Write down what comes to mind.

CLARIFY

Choose One Path on Purpose

When everything feels important, nothing actually gets done. The artists who saw momentum weren’t doing everything—they were doing a few things well. Teaching. Commissions. Referrals. Skill-building. They chose intentionally instead of reacting emotionally.

Clarity often shows up after commitment, not before it. When you decide what matters most for this season, the noise begins to quiet.

Action Step:
From this list—teaching, commissions, referrals, exhibitions, consistency, small high-touch experiences, or skill development—circle one strategy to focus on for the next 90 days.

CREATE

Skill Fuels Confidence

One of the most overlooked truths this year was simple but powerful: artists who invested in their craft sold more work. Not because they were chasing perfection—but because growth builds confidence, and confidence invites buyers.

When you give yourself permission to keep learning, your work deepens. And when your work deepens, people feel it.

Action Step:
Choose one way to invest in your artistic growth this month—whether that’s a class, critique group, or intentional practice block in the studio.

CULTIVATE

Relationships Are the Real Currency

Referrals may not be flashy, but they are powerful. Time and time again, artists shared that nearly every meaningful sale or opportunity came through relationships—friends, students, designers, builders, gallery owners, even other artists.

Your art is a bridge. When you stay visible, kind, and present, God uses those connections for both provision and Kingdom impact.

Action Step:
Reach out this week to one person you already know. Not to sell—just to reconnect, encourage, and nurture the relationship.

The Core4 Focus Planner™

A 90-Day Undated Planner to Help You Stay Focused, Grow Spiritually, and Make Measurable Progress in Your Art

“This planner is my “tool of intentionality” and sits next to my Bible and journal. It’s also the perfect size to hang on to as a way to go back and celebrate the work that I’ve done. Thanks so much!” – Debby

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WATCH & LISTEN

Episode: Selling Art in 2026: 7 Proven Strategies for Christian Artists

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In this episode, I unpack the real-world results from hundreds of working artists and break down seven strategies that are producing consistent income today. No hype. No hacks. Just clarity, encouragement, and a Spirit-led invitation to simplify and thrive.

TECH TIP FOR THRIVING

Tool: Google Drive
Google Drive isn’t glamorous, but it’s incredibly effective. Use it to track teaching dates, commission timelines, referral contacts, art inventory, and income streams—all in one place. Simplicity brings peace, and peace creates space for creativity.

👉 https://drive.google.com

Tip:
Create one master document titled “What’s Working This Year” and update it monthly with notes on sales, connections, and insights.

WORSHIP

Be encouraged by this worship song, which reminds us as believers that we can call on the most powerful name above all names – the name of Jesus.

FEATURED ARTIST: Besada Yakoub

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For sculptor Besada Yakoub, creating art is not a career choice—it’s an act of obedience, identity, and worship.

Born in Akhmim, Egypt, Besada’s artistic journey began almost as soon as he could hold material in his hands. By age seven, he was shaping animals from clay.

By twelve, he was carving wood and working with metal. Growing up surrounded by the ancient tombs along the Nile, he absorbed a deep reverence for form, history, and craftsmanship—lessons that would later shape his life’s work.

After immigrating to the United States in 1999, Besada continued refining his craft, briefly studying at the Art Students League in New York and becoming involved with the National Sculpture Society. In 2001, he was hired as a master carver at the Johnson Atelier Stone Division, where he gained the tools, discipline, and space to work with monumental materials such as granite and basalt. Even after the atelier’s stone division closed, Besada remained faithful to his calling, establishing his own studio in Mount Holly, New Jersey, where he continues to work full time.

In 2018, Besada introduced a striking new sculptural language he calls Obeliskism—an abstract style built on the geometry and symbolism of obelisk forms. These vertical, enduring shapes reflect both ancient heritage and timeless spiritual truths. Working across granite, marble, limestone, metal, wood, clay, and plaster, Besada’s sculptures carry a quiet authority, marked by precision, weight, and permanence.

At the core of his practice is a simple conviction: “God created me in His image, so I create art.”

Before carving each new piece, Besada prays. He signs his work by carving letters directly into stone—an intentional act of commitment and integrity. For him, excellence is an offering, and shame has no place in the work of honoring God through creation.

Besada has experienced God’s faithfulness throughout his journey—from receiving early recognition like the Herk Van Tongeren Memorial Sculpture Award to having his work collected across Egypt, Europe, and North America. Yet his focus remains clear and grounded. He believes artists are called to do what they love, but always with God first—listening to Scripture, honoring truth, and creating with reverence.

His sculptures stand as quiet testimonies: solid, enduring, and unapologetically rooted in faith. Through stone and form, Besada reminds us that when creation flows from obedience, art becomes praise.

Apply to Be a Featured Artist

Would you like to be considered for one of our artist features? We love sharing the work from our friends around the world who create unique, beautiful and inspired art, regardless of creative medium. And just a reminder, your work does NOT have to be overtly faith-based to be considered. Interested? Just complete this application: https://forms.gle/vmtyk6wg3hSuUAhi9

Resources for Christian Artists

If you’re ready to grow as an artist in your faith, art and even business, then check out these affordable resources for artists just like you.