Issue #003
One of the greatest challenges artists face—especially those of us who are believers—is the pressure to “have it all together.” We think if we’re struggling, doubting, or not producing at full throttle, then maybe we’ve missed it… maybe God has changed His mind. But let me encourage you today: God doesn’t revoke your calling when you struggle.
He’s not waiting for you to be perfect to use you. He’s already called, chosen, and anointed you for such a time as this.These tactical troubles—marketing confusion, business overwhelm, inconsistent studio time, pricing frustrations, and imposter syndrome—can feel like flashing warning signs telling us we’re failing. But here’s the transformative truth: your struggles don’t indicate failure; they signal growth. You’re learning, developing, and expanding—exactly as you should be.Scripture offers us powerful anchors during these storms. Romans 11:29 reminds us that “God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.” He hasn’t changed His mind about your creative calling just because things got difficult. Galatians 6:9 encourages persistence: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” And Philippians 1:6 assures us that “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”There’s lots of tips in this week’s newsletter to help you navigate these tactical challenges while staying aligned with your divine trajectory. Just remember: You aren’t behind, disqualified, or forgotten. You’re exactly where you need to be—in process, becoming everything God designed you to be.
– Matt Tommey,
The Thriving Christian Artist
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? CONNECT
When we face moments of confusion, stagnation, or failure, it’s easy to let our emotions write a false narrative. But the truth is anchored in Romans 11:29: “For God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.” The same God who called you to create is still calling you today—yes, even in the mess, even in the silence, even when your hands feel empty.
You are not called because you’re perfect. You are called because He is faithful. And that calling is not something you strive to hold on to—it’s something you rest in. In His presence, your identity is reaffirmed, your purpose is rekindled, and your creativity is revived.
Prayer:
Father, thank You that Your call on my life is irrevocable. I don’t have to earn it or fear losing it when I fall short. Help me rest in Your love and return to Your feet today. Remind me that I’m Your beloved, and my art is an extension of our relationship. Reignite my heart with the joy of creating with You. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Action Step:
Carve out 15 minutes today to simply sit with God—no agenda, no pressure. Ask Him to remind you of who you are and what He’s called you to. Write down what you hear or sense from the Holy Spirit in your journal.
?Clarify
Clarity doesn’t just happen—it comes through intentionality. Many artists drift through their days reacting instead of responding to God’s direction. But when you take the time to ask, “Lord, what would You have me focus on today?” you move from chaos to calling.
Whether it’s creating a new body of work, refining your portfolio, or reaching out to galleries, your priorities should flow from the vision God’s already deposited in your heart. That’s why checking in daily to clarify your intentions matters. When your to-do list aligns with His direction, peace and productivity follow.
Scripture:
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” – Proverbs 16:3
Action Step:
Before you dive into your tasks today, pause and write down your top 3 goals for the day or week. Then ask: Do these align with what I sense God is doing in my life right now? If not, adjust. Let clarity replace feelings of chaos. When you do, celebrate on social media and tag us @thethrivingchristianartist.
? Create
Artistic maturity doesn’t happen by accident—it comes through consistent, intentional practice. When you embrace the daily discipline of creating, even in small doses, you develop not only skill but spiritual and emotional resilience. Creating becomes a spiritual rhythm rather than a performance metric.
Your gift deserves to be stewarded. That means showing up whether you feel inspired or not, trusting that faithfulness in the process unlocks breakthrough in your practice. Think of it like sowing seeds—each moment in the studio is an investment in your growth.
Scripture:
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” – Colossians 3:23
Action Step:
Set a timer for 30 – 60 minutes and engage in a focused creative session today. No multitasking. No pressure for perfection. Just show up, do the work, and offer it to the Lord as worship. When you do, celebrate on social media and tag us @thethrivingchristianartist.
? Cultivate
You weren’t meant to create in a vacuum. Part of stewarding your calling is sharing your work—and your story—with others. Cultivating relationships with fans, followers, collectors, and strategic partners allows your art to bring beauty, healing, and hope to the world while also sustaining your business.
People don’t just buy art—they invest in connection. When you share what’s behind the work, you offer an invitation into something meaningful. That kind of authenticity builds trust, sparks conversation, and opens doors for both income and impact.
Scripture:
“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
Action Step:
Choose one relationship to intentionally nurture this week. Send a personal message to a past buyer or top follower. Share a story behind your current work on social media or email. Invite others to go deeper than the product—into the purpose. When you do, celebrate on social media and tag us @thethrivingchristianartist.
? Tech Tip for Thriving
Platform: Linktree
What It Is: Linktree is a powerful tool that lets you organize and share all your important links from one simple place—perfect for your Instagram bio or email signature.
Why It’s Important: As a visual artist, you likely have multiple places you want to send people—your shop, studio tour, portfolio, mailing list, and more. Linktree creates a central hub that’s easy to access and beautifully branded.
Pro Tip: Use custom button names that match your personality and voice. For example, try “New Art Drop,” “Join My Collector’s Circle,” or “Behind the Scenes Studio Tour.” The more personal and clear your links are, the more engagement they’ll attract.
?️ Listen
Ever wonder if your artistic struggles mean you’ve missed God’s calling? When marketing feels overwhelming, business challenges mount, and self-doubt creeps in, it’s easy to question everything. I’ve walked this path myself—the last two years brought some of my biggest professional challenges as shifting markets and changing landscapes left me wondering if my trajectory had changed.
In this episode, I share openly about my journey through those seasons and how I’ve come to see that God’s calling is not revoked when we struggle—it’s refined. You’ll hear encouragement and real-life insights to help you stay grounded in your identity and calling—even when the way forward isn’t clear.
Featured Artist: Ain Vares
Painting the Word of God with Purpose and Power
? Website | ? Instagram
For artist Ain Vares, art is not just a means of creative expression—it’s a calling. Born and raised in Estonia, Ain once focused on landscapes and portraits. But everything changed after he was born again. That’s when God gave him a new direction: paint My Word.
Today, Ain’s work dives deep into the spiritual themes of sanctification, repentance, victory in Christ, and those “little foxes” that often threaten to spoil the vineyard of our hearts (Song of Solomon 2:15). He primarily works with acrylic and oil but is recently revisiting watercolors—rediscovering joy in their delicate transparency and flow.
As a graduate of the Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program, Ain says the experience has shaped not only his creative life but his spiritual walk:
“The mentoring program has been a great blessing and support to me, both in terms of my overall spiritual growth and specifically as a Christian artist. Matt’s teaching is clear and inspiring—even for me as a non-native English speaker.”
Ain sees his art as a ministry—an offering of encouragement to the Body of Christ. “My desire as an artist is to encourage, strengthen, and build up others,” he explains. “Through my paintings, I aim to share what I personally experience and live through in my walk with God.”
And it’s working. One student approached him after a class to share how Ain’s artwork deeply touched his heart and inspired him to continue walking with the Lord. “There are many more stories like this,” Ain reflects. “People who have returned to God or found renewed fellowship and rest through my paintings.”
His advice to fellow creatives? Don’t wait for the perfect time to start.
Ain cites Ecclesiastes 11:4: “He who watches the wind will not sow, and he who looks at the clouds will not reap.” He’s learned firsthand that creative momentum begins with movement. “The perfect moment never arrives—the best way to achieve something is simply to start today.”
He also stays inspired by studying other Christian artists around the world. “Exploring what others are doing helps keep my passion and vision fresh.”
Whether through brushstrokes or Bible school teaching, Ain continues to release truth, beauty, and hope—reminding us all that when we surrender our creativity to God, He can use it to transform lives.
(click images to enlarge)
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? Resources for Christian Artists
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