What was your life as an artist like before becoming a member of the Artist Mentoring Program? What was your biggest roadblock?
I have been a creative all my life. I’m gifted in many areas and mediums. I tried other creative business ventures but nothing ever stuck. I always seemed to get labeled Hobbyist or Crafter. And because I never completed school with an art degree I felt the odds were against me. I knew that I was an artist and as a Kingdom Creative it was a calling but art as a career just seemed like a nice idea and not reality. I used art for my personal enjoyment and as a Therapeutic practice for inner healing which resulted in physical healing. I would create to give away and had always hoped to “sell” my work. I had to debunk the myth that I couldn’t be successful or thrive without a college degree. Understanding that it was OK to make money with my gift was what I had to overcome and believe that I could thrive at it!

What prompted you to become a part of the Artist Mentoring Program? Specifically, what were you looking for?
Timing! I wanted my art to have purpose and I wanted to make money from it! I needed permission...to be an artist. I needed business direction. I needed a business mentor! I wanted to join when it was launched but distractions kept getting in the way. Honestly I saved the link to the group, registered for GOA in January of 2017 but lost sight of the vision and never went through with the purchase until I made a business decision that was proposed by a friend. It seemed fun and a great way to make money. It was a thousand dollars investment and there went my GOA money! The first week I made that decision I woke up sick everyday thinking “what have I done?” And because of the amount of work it took to make it work. The cold calls, false enthusiasm etc. Exhausting! I would cry and literally grieve the time it was taking away from me creating. Up until this time I had continually spent regular studio time co-creating with the Lord but was holding the value of my art at a very low place. So I got another email from The Worship Studio and saw another add for Created to Thrive and knew immediately that it was what I was supposed to do to take my gift and business to the next level! I cancelled my other business venture, returned the product and got my refund. I immediately signed up for CTT the next day and then paid for my GOA registration. Thank you Lord for letting it all work out! I had about given up on my dream as an artist and then I joined Created To Thrive.

Since becoming a member, how has your life changed? How have you experienced breakthrough? 
Since joining Created To Thrive my life has been enriched by creative and business knowledge. I’ve gained greater spiritual insight and encouragement and have been given a creative faith family. I have finally found my TRIBE! I have experienced breakthrough in my confidence as an artist. I used to think I was good but not great. I used to see my gift only to be given away and not valued to sell. We artists are the go to “volunteers” for everything creative at churches and schools. But that is not the case anymore. I see my art as valuable and worthy of money. I am worthy! I used to feel “different” like an outsider as an artist and that it was not “Godly”, especially in the body of Christ. But now I know that I am one of His chosen artisans who He has chosen to FILL and Helps me to grow my skill. He has chosen me to bring Heaven to earth. He has chosen me to release and display His glory!

What's been your biggest "Aha Moment" that was a real gamechanger for you while in the program?
That is a no brainer. It was almost instant. I immediately felt the permission to be who He created and called me to be as a Kingdom Artist and that it was OK to make money at it. The long time prayer for an art and spiritual mentor was answered! Once I had that permission it was game on! Thank you for that and for the affirmation of my gift!

What would you say to encourage other artists who are currently in the Artist Mentoring Program along their journey? To artists considering becoming members?
It is an investment not another monthly bill. It is worth every penny and more. Don’t lose sight of your WHY and the important part that you have to play in further advancing the Kingdom of God. Do trust yourself and the gift He has entrusted to you. Be diligent to work the program and grow your gift. Stay focused on your vision. Keep connecting with Him and trusting Him in the process. Just stay the course and ask yourself HOW BAD DO YOU WANT IT!?!

What's on your horizon? What are you dreaming of and moving toward in this next season?
Currently I am working on what I am calling My Kingdom Fine Art Collections. Paintings Inspired by explorative play and His insight. As well as trying to complete a book or two. I’m dreaming of the day I publish my books and the people that will they will help. I am dreaming of my work being accepted into shows and being viewed by many then selling for high end prices. Also to see the impact my paintings will have on people. Resuscitating them! I also have loved fashion and interior design since I was a teen. My hope is that I can turn my paintings into fabric one day and maybe even make some “Dionne White Branded items” in my fabric. I am currently having a professional logo and brand mark created. Which I am very excited about! I’m also seeing some type of “creative spiritual coaching business” down the road. It seems to be evolving and this has been a desire of my heart for years since 2008 and I launched my personal ministry in 2016. My heart is to help others persevere empowered so that would be along those lines and just continuing to paint and display His glory!

For more information on Dionne, visit her online at http://www.dionnewhiteart.com

​Deborah Nell is an acrylic artist who has been a part of Created to Thrive for over 9 months. This is her story.

What was your life as an artist like before becoming a member of the Artist Mentoring Program? What was your biggest roadblock?
I was doing OK as an artist but in a way I was treading water. I wasn't going backwards, but I wasn't going forward. Pretty much maintaining what I had accomplished. I knew God had more for me but I didn't know how to get to the next level of growth as an artist. I've been selling my art since 2007.

What prompted you to become a part of the Artist Mentoring Program? Specifically, what were you looking for?
Out of fear of not having enough finances I took a part-time job and it was a total disaster. I realized I'm at a point in my life that I cannot work for someone else. I need to focus on my art business. It was at that time that I saw Matt's post on fb about his mentoring group. I knew I had to give it a try. I knew I was going to be leaving my part-time job and wanted my time to be used wisely. Matt's group seemed like the answer.

Since becoming a member, how has your life changed? How have you experienced breakthrough?
My confidence as an artist has really grown since I've become a member. It's an inward work that didn't happen overnight but is definitely manifested by the increase in my prices, by the increase of invitations to exhibit I'm receiving. I'm putting into practice the many practices Matt teaches us. They are 90 day planning, visualizing my goals, daily prayer time, daily studio time, learning to network to name a few. Today alone I finished 4 miniature paintings to submit to an art show, met with 3 other artists to plan an art event in a nearby city where our work will be showcased, received a commission, sold a print on Fine Art America. I feel as though I'm in harvest season! I am very excited about all the plans ahead that God has for me and my art.

What's been your biggest "Aha Moment" that was a real gamechanger for you while in the program?
Although there are many, I would have to say the biggest "Aha Moment" has been that as I believe what God shows me... I begin to see those things come to pass in reality. I'm no longer chasing after things... opportunities are coming to me. People are trusting me to do things I've never done before, like create a personalized prophetic acrylic pour painting. I can't tell you the number of times in the last few weeks that people have said they trust my wisdom and my creative instinct. I think it's because I'm now trusting it. I am trusting God for everything I need. I'm believing for more than I can imagine. I recently saw the movie "The Greatest Showman". God was speaking to me about taking risks and believing in others and myself. There are several scenes where the outcasts that PT Barnum brings together are afraid that people will laugh at them. He tells them they will not laugh at them, they will see them as beautiful. I found my heart literally swelling during this movie. God was affirming the calling on my life to bring beauty into the world and see the beauty in others. To have the eyes to see and then express that beauty in my art. I know that being a member of Matt's group has sensitized my heart to see in a new way the opportunities that are available to me. This group has given me the courage to say "yes", I want to go all out and am willing to give this art calling my all.

What would you say to encourage other artists who are currently in the Artist Mentoring Program along their journey? To artists considering becoming members?
When you say yes to the step in front of you it prepares you for the next step. The journey of an artist begins with that one step. You may not know how you are going to get to where you want to go... or even know where you want to go. But God does know the way and He uses this group to bring others alongside you and Matt to guide you. You can live the life you dream of. God gave you those dreams and wants you to work with Him to fulfill them.

What's on your horizon? What are you dreaming of and moving toward in this next season?
I have an art reception coming up where 21 of my new acrylic pour paintings I created in January are on display at a local church. I will be speaking and giving out my greeting cards to all who attend. I will also be selling my greeting cards of the works that are for sale. I will be part of a studio tour in October. I'm one of four prophetic artists that will display and speak about our work as well as give a workshop at an art even in April. I'm planning on giving a 2 day acrylic pour workshop this year. Have applied for 3 new larger art festivals in August. Might be speaking about my art in San Clemente, CA when I visit my parents and family in August. I even submitted my work to be featured on a billboard in Los Angeles. If it is chosen... that's incredible exposure! I'm anticipating my sales to almost double in this coming year as we enter into the busy Spring and Summer season. I just keep seeing it happen.

For more about Deborah and her work, visit www.etsy.com/shop/deborahnellart

Donna Arnold is a mixed media artist who's been a part of the Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program for over 9 months. This is her story.

What was your life as an artist like before becoming a member of the Artist Mentoring Program? What was your biggest roadblock? 
I had a full career as a high school art teacher, then ran my own art school for a number of years. Following a move to a new city in retirement, my main artistic efforts were directed toward local and regional art competitions. I had made most of my money as an artist by teaching and my perks by being juried into shows.

What prompted you to become a part of the Artist Mentoring Program? Specifically, what were you looking for?
In a new city I didn’t have a network from which to pull students nor places to exhibit and sell my work. I joined a local art organization but it was mainly a social group. I didn’t know how to promote my work or myself. I knew I needed help in using social media effectively, needed a new website, needed to learn how to market. And, I needed encouragement that I was worthy of the time, effort and money it would take. I became willing to make the commitment to the mentoring program because of the Christian foundation that proved to be authentic.

Since becoming a member, how has your life changed? How have you experienced breakthrough?
First, the effect of Matt’s teaching and the other available materials have greatly boosted my self worth as an artist. I used to just see myself as a teacher. Now I know that the work I produce is of high quality and marketable. I had previously had a web site that was costing me a pretty penny a year and got zero traffic. At Matt’s suggestion, I contracted with Jeremy to help build a site that could build traffic. My primary marketing tool was to post my work on Fine Art America and that netted me the sale of one pillow and one print and they got most of the money. I began posting my work on FB and Instagram and writing blog posts on my new website. Matt’ s teaching about cultivating the people I knew began to pay off.

What's been your biggest "Aha Moment" that was a real gamechanger for you while in the program?
I have had two breakthroughs. First, I promoted some classes in my home studio which led to successive sessions throughout the summer and fall. I also used an area of my studio to display work for sale - and the students bought it! At the same time I applied to and was juried into a co-op gallery in the heart of the arts district of the city. At my suggestion we had a holiday open house and I used the same promotion techniques I had learned so far. The day of the event, I had more of “my people” come through the door than I could have imagined, I sold more in that one day than I had the year before! And because of the additional exposure, I have been asked to teach a week-end workshop for the Watercolor Society of Indiana in the spring.

What would you say to encourage other artists who are currently in the Artist Mentoring Program along their journey? To artists considering becoming members?
The Mentoring Program is definitely worth the investment for personal growth. I still have a lot to learn and know the resources are available - if you take advantage of them and do the work. I don’t know any other place to find the quality of instruction and resources.
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What's on your horizon? What are you dreaming of and moving toward in this next season?
I need to build a newsletter on Mailchimp, create some video pieces for social media, prepare for a solo show at the gallery and keep up with studio production.

For more about Donna's work, please visit her website at http://www.donnaarnoldart.com