• Wake Up, Artists: Why Your Voice Matters Now More Than Ever

    Wake Up, Artists: Why Your Voice Matters Now More Than Ever

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    ISSUE #025

    This past week has been sobering. The tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk reminds us that the enemy is not passive—he’s intentional about silencing voices of truth. But here’s the good news: just like the early church discovered, persecution does not stop the move of God; it multiplies it. What the enemy meant for silence becomes seed, and the voice of Christ continues to resound louder than ever.

    As artists, this is our moment. God has given you a creative voice not just for personal expression but as a Kingdom weapon—releasing beauty, hope, and truth right into culture. Your brush, your clay, your song, your movement—they are not small. They are assignments from Heaven designed to push back the darkness and reveal God’s glory. My prayer is that this week you’ll rise up with fresh courage, create boldly, and remember: Heaven is backing you up.

    May this week be filled with intentional reflection, creative breakthroughs, and meaningful connection with the Creator who put that beautiful imagination inside you.

    Advancing God’s Creative Kingdom,
    Matt Tommey

    PS – be sure to listen to or watch my podcast this week… It’s a must for every artist who loves Jesus.

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    LISTEN & WATCH

    Episode: Wake Up, Artists – Your Voice Matters More than Ever

    In this week’s episode, I unpack the bold message that God put on my heart in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination. We talk about why this is not the time to shrink back, why your art is a weapon of light in God’s hands, and how to stand boldly in a culture that often tries to silence voices of truth.

    I’ll share five key takeaways that will equip you to overcome fear, embrace pushback as proof of your assignment, and release your creativity with fresh courage and conviction.

    Key Takeaway: Your art is not optional—it’s your assignment. Heaven is backing you up as you create.

    CONNECT

    Scripture: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” —2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

    When darkness pushes against the people of God, the natural temptation is to shrink back in fear. But God calls us to the opposite: to stand firm, filled with His Spirit, creating from a place of power, love, and clarity. Your art carries His light, and it shines brightest in the darkest moments.

    Prayer:
    Father, thank You that You’ve not left me powerless. Thank You for filling me with Your Spirit, for giving me courage when fear whispers, and for inviting me to shine Your light boldly in this generation. Teach me to release Your beauty, truth, and presence through my creativity, even when opposition comes. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

    Action Step: Choose one Scripture that strengthens you against fear (like 2 Timothy 1:7) and post it in your studio. Let it fuel every creative act you make this week.

    CLARIFY

    When pushback comes, it’s not a sign that you’re off-track—it’s confirmation that your art is making an impact. Jesus Himself said the world would hate Him, and by extension, us. Resistance isn’t failure; it’s proof you’re advancing.

    This week, take a few minutes to clarify: where are you experiencing resistance right now in your creative life? Is it internal fear, external criticism, or just the enemy whispering that your voice doesn’t matter? Identify it, write it down, and then align yourself with God’s truth.

    Action Step: Journal one area of resistance you’re facing. Then write a bold declaration of truth in response. Example: “Fear says my art is insignificant, but God says my art is a weapon of light, revealing His beauty to the world.”

    CREATE

    The brush, the pen, the instrument, the movement—these are not hobbies; they are weapons. Every time you create with God, you’re making space for His Spirit to move. The early church used preaching, letters, and songs to spread the gospel. Today, God is using paint, clay, digital design, and music to do the same.

    Don’t underestimate the studio as a battlefield where the Kingdom advances. This week, create not just to make something pretty, but to release something powerful. Ask the Lord: “What do You want to say through me today?” Then, obey and create.

    Action Step: Dedicate one creative session this week specifically as a prophetic act of obedience. Invite the Holy Spirit into the process, and let your art carry His presence.

    CULTIVATE

    Artists are culture-makers. The enemy would love for you to stay hidden, fearful, and silent—but this is the hour to step out. Sharing your art is not about self-promotion; it’s about spreading light. When you release your work into the world, you’re giving God an opportunity to speak through it to someone who desperately needs hope.

    Don’t wait until everything feels perfect. Share your art boldly and let it do its work. The pushback you may get is simply proof that the light is shining.

    Action Step: Post one piece of art this week with a short caption that points to the hope, truth, or beauty of God. Pray over it before you hit “publish,” and trust God to use it.

    TECH TIP FOR THRIVING

    Platform: Teachable
    Teachable is a powerful online course platform that allows you to share your skills, build your audience, and even create new income streams. You don’t have to be a tech genius to get started.

    Pro Tip: Record a simple 10-minute video on your phone teaching one small art skill (like mixing colors, sketching texture, or sculpting a basic form). Upload it as a free mini-course. Use it to grow your email list and start blessing others while building your business.

    👉 Check out Teachable

    INSPIRE

    This week, I want to highlight the boldness of artist Sam Ryan, who recently created a large portrait of Charlie Kirk as a gift to his family after Charlie’s tragic assassination. It wasn’t just a painting; it was an act of honor, a tribute, and a declaration that light will not be silenced by darkness.

    Sam shared the piece publicly, and the response was immediate. Over 22,000 people unfollowed him after the post. And yet, he stood firm. That kind of courage reminds us all that creating with conviction will sometimes cost us—but the Kingdom fruit is always worth it.

    Friends, this is what it looks like to release art that speaks truth in love, even when culture pushes back. Sam’s example challenges us: will we stay quiet, or will we let our art be a voice for God in this hour?

    👉 Watch the Reel Here

    WATCH

    Be encouraged as you watch this powerful video featuring the song “Break Every Chain”, knowing God has created you for such a time as this, to create art that He wants to use to break every chain of the enemy and loose freedom throughout the world.

    FEATURED ARTIST: Debbie Gallerani

    Whimsy, grit, and God’s gentle guidance in the desert
    📍 Tucson, Arizona • 🌐 debbiegalleraniart.com📸 Instagram: @debbieartworld

    When you step into Debbie Gallerani’s world, you’re greeted by sun-washed desert color, playful jack-rabbit sculptures, and mixed-media paintings with a joyful wink. A lifelong cartoonist turned fine artist, Debbie embraces a style that’s delightfully whimsical and folk-art inspired—proof that your “secret sauce” is often the very thing you once tried to hide.

    Watch Debbie’s Story Below…

    “I finally stopped trying to be someone else and accepted that I’m a cartoonist at heart. Once I let that shine, the work came alive.”

    From press-type to Palm Springs Life—then a holy pivot

    Raised in Palm Springs, Debbie chased creativity wherever she could find it: illustration, hand-painted signage, silk-screening, and eventually production and design at Palm Springs Life magazine (“$5 an hour and I was thrilled!”). Years of commercial work honed her eye—but hours at the computer brought pain and a longing to make with her hands again.

    A visit to her father, an oil painter, rekindled Debbie’s fine-art fire. The transition wasn’t instant—perfectionism and “is this real art?” doubts knocked loudly. But with prayer, courage, and community, she gave herself permission to blend her cartoon line, folk-art color, and desert motifs into something uniquely her.

    Art, hospitality, and holy conversations

    In Tucson, Debbie runs a cozy B&B—“La Casa de Artista (The Artist House)”—where musicians, poets, and painters swap stories over coffee and canvas. That same hospitality has opened kingdom doors: gallery guests became gallery partners, invitations multiplied, and Debbie’s work found a home in the very places that fit her voice best—mid-century-modern boutiques and desert-forward venues.

    • Scottsdale gallery show via B&B guests who fell in love with her work
    • Borrego Springs (CA): a mid-century shop invited her to a Christmas event…then full-time representation…then two solo shows
    • Current: a three-artist exhibition inside a classic mid-century hotel

    “God keeps steering me to the right people. My job is to keep my eyes and ears open—and say yes.”

    Teaching that heals the artist, too

    A season teaching high-school art became sacred ground. Debbie learned to break the process into simple, doable steps, calling out gold in students who were ready to quit. That same compassion now marks her studio practice and the way she encourages fellow creatives she meets through her B&B and shows.

    Created to Thrive + a new way of walking

    After joining our Artist Cashflow Bootcamp and Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program, Debbie found fresh clarity and courage in both mindset and method.

    “Leaning into the Lord—and getting practical mentoring—shifted everything. I stopped striving and started partnering.”

    Daily rhythms that keep her grounded

    • Morning Scripture + prayer: “God meets me in the Word with exactly what I need.”
    • Studio play: folk-art color + cartoon line + desert critters = Debbie’s signature joy
    • Hospitality as ministry: art, conversation, and prayer with guests

    A desert lesson for every season

    Plumbing failures, summer slowdowns, and changing markets could rattle anyone. Debbie’s response? Flexible trust.

    “Some seasons are harvest, some feel like winter. God is constant in both. When there’s margin, I ask, ‘Lord, what do You want to grow now?’”

    Debbie’s encouragement to fellow artists

    • Honor your wiring: your “quirky” might be your calling.
    • Invite God into the process—every brushstroke, every decision.
    • Be patient and faithful: God rarely shows the whole map—just the next step.
    • Find your fit: place your work where your voice belongs (not every gallery is your gallery).

    What’s next

    Debbie’s exploring hand-painted handbags, considering teaching private lessons, and continuing to place her work in boutiques and venues that celebrate joyful desert design.

    Know an artist whose story would bless our readers? Apply to be featured in a future issue!

    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.

  • Overcoming Creative Roadblocks through Guided Artist Mentorship

    Overcoming Creative Roadblocks through Guided Artist Mentorship

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    A young woman artist rests her chin in hand, holding a paintbrush amid art supplies.

    Breaking Through the Barriers That Hold Your Art Captive

    My friend, we’ve all been there—staring at a blank canvas, feeling the weight of creative paralysis, wondering if the inspiration will ever return. Creative blocks aren’t just frustrating; they’re a spiritual battle that can rob you of the joy and purpose God intended for your artistic journey.

    These moments of creative drought aren’t a sign that you’ve lost your calling or that you lack talent. Often, they’re simply evidence that you need fresh perspective, renewed vision, and guided wisdom to break through to the other side.

    “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” – 2 Timothy 1:7

    The Root Causes of Creative Blocks

    Before we can overcome creative blocks, we need to understand what’s really happening beneath the surface. Through years of mentoring thousands of artists, I’ve discovered that most creative blocks stem from one of these core issues:

    1. Mindset Barriers

    • Fear of failure or judgment
    • Perfectionism and unrealistic expectations
    • Comparison to other artists
    • Self-sabotaging beliefs about your identity or worth

    2. Spiritual Disconnection

    • Creating from striving rather than Spirit-led flow
    • Misalignment with your divine design
    • Wounds and lies that block your creative voice
    • Confusion about your purpose and calling

    3. Technical Limitations

    • Skill gaps creating frustration
    • Lack of knowledge about materials or processes
    • Uncertainty about the next developmental step
    • Getting stuck in comfortable but limiting patterns

    4. Practical Obstacles

    • Overwhelm from too many ideas or directions
    • Lack of structure, routine, or creative discipline
    • Isolation without supportive community
    • Environmental factors that disrupt creative flow

    The good news? Each of these blocks can be overcome with the right guidance, community, and proven frameworks.

    How Mentorship Dismantles Creative Blocks

    Inside the Created to Thrive Artist Mentorship Program, we don’t just offer vague encouragement or quick fixes. We provide specific, proven pathways to move through creative barriers and into sustainable creative flow.

    1. Renewing Your Mind for Creative Freedom

    Creative blocks often begin in the mind. That’s why we start with heart and mind renewal:

    • Biblical affirmations that replace lies with truth about your creative identity
    • Practical exercises to overcome perfectionism and fear
    • Spirit-led meditation and reflection practices that unlock creative flow
    • Transformational teaching on developing a Kingdom mindset

    As Julie Bagamary, one of our fiber artist members, discovered: “I found the strength to overcome the lies that kept me from embracing my call to be a thriving fiber artist in God’s Kingdom.”

    2. Spirit-Led Creation Practices

    When your creative practice becomes disconnected from divine inspiration, blocks naturally follow. Our mentorship program helps you:

    • Establish a rhythm of Spirit-led creation that maintains inspiration using our Create5 Method
    • Develop practices for hearing God’s voice in your creative process
    • Learn to create from rest rather than striving
    • Tap into the flow of divine creativity that never runs dry

    Jan Tetsutani, a painter and muralist in our program, shares: “I pushed past my fear and self-sabotage to walk into my calling as a thriving full-time artist.”

    3. Tactical Skill Development

    Sometimes blocks occur because you simply don’t have the technical tools to express what’s inside you. Our mentorship provides:

    • Recommendations for specific skill-building resources across various mediums
    • Expert Artist feedback during weekly Expert Hour to identify and overcome technical hurdles
    • Strategic pathway to overcome limitations that build mastery rather than scattered development
    • Clear developmental pathways to keep you growing technically

    4. Structural Support Systems

    Creative blocks often dissolve when the right structures are in place. We help you establish:

    • Sustainable creative rhythms and routines
    • Goal-setting frameworks that maintain momentum
    • Accountability through community and regular check-ins
    • Environmental optimizations for creative flow

    As Toni Wesner, one of our members, experienced: “Your mentoring group is the first real community I’ve experienced… I’m deeply humbled by it and realize the incredible amount of love and work you put into it.”

    Breaking Through Together: The Community Factor

    Perhaps the most powerful aspect of overcoming creative blocks through mentorship is the realization that you’re not alone. Inside Created to Thrive, you’ll find:

    • Weekly live Q&A sessions where we address specific blocks you’re facing
    • Weekly Expert Hour coaching that provides technical solutions to creative challenges
    • A private community grop where members help each other through stuck points
    • Case studies and Backstage Pass interviews revealing how others overcame similar obstacles

    As Wendy Marett, an artist and teacher in our program, shares: “Created to Thrive Mentoring group has been solid, spirit-led teaching about thriving as a Christian artist. There are artists at all levels of their journey and situation.”

    From Block to Breakthrough: Your Path Forward

    Imagine waking up each day with a clear sense of direction for your art—no more paralysis, no more wondering if the creativity will come back, no more isolation in your struggles.

    Imagine having access to a proven roadmap that guides you from wherever you’re stuck to where God is calling you to go creatively.

    Imagine being part of a community that understands exactly what you’re going through because they’ve been there too—and have found their way through.

    This transformative experience isn’t just possible—it’s exactly what the Created to Thrive Artist Mentorship Program was designed to provide.

    As Rachel, who was once rejected from art school, discovered: “After being rejected from art school and thinking my dream of being an artist might never come true, my life was transformed through the mentoring program. My growth accelerated & life transformed.”

    Your Breakthrough Is Waiting

    My friend, creative blocks aren’t permanent sentences—they’re temporary challenges that can become powerful turning points in your artistic journey with the right guidance.

    Whether you’re facing mindset barriers, spiritual disconnection, technical limitations, or practical obstacles, there’s a pathway forward that leads to greater creative freedom and expression than you’ve ever known.

    The question is: Are you ready to move from stuck to thriving? From blocked to breakthrough? From frustration to fulfillment?

    Your next step is waiting. Your breakthrough is possible. And a community of fellow artists is ready to welcome you on the journey.

    [Get Started Today for Just $14!]

    I’m cheering you on as you break through to new levels of creative freedom!

    Matt Tommey

    Frequently Asked Questions About Creative Blocks

    How do I know if what I’m experiencing is a creative block or something else? Creative blocks typically manifest as a persistent inability to create despite the desire to do so. You might feel stuck, uninspired, or dissatisfied with everything you create. You may experience frustration, avoidance of your art practice, or even dread when thinking about creating. What distinguishes a block from a simple rest period is the accompanying distress and the sense that something is preventing you from expressing what’s inside you, rather than a peaceful, intentional creative pause.

    How long does it typically take to break through a creative block with mentorship? While every artist’s journey is unique, many members begin experiencing shifts within the first few weeks of joining our program. Often, the initial breakthrough happens at the mindset level—as you begin to identify and replace limiting beliefs with truth. Technical blocks may take longer to resolve as you develop new skills, but most artists report significant improvements within 2-3 months of consistent engagement with the program resources and community.

    What if my creative block is related to a specific technique or medium? The Created to Thrive program addresses both mindset/spiritual blocks and technical challenges. For technique-specific blocks, our Expert Hour sessions provide access to coaches specializing in various mediums who can help identify your specific technical hurdles. Additionally, our community includes artists working in virtually every medium, so you’ll likely connect with others who have overcome similar technical challenges and can share their insights.

    Is it normal to experience repeated creative blocks throughout an artistic career? Yes, even the most successful artists encounter blocks at various points in their journey. However, with the right tools and community support, these blocks become less frequent, less intense, and easier to move through. Many seasoned artists in our program share that while they still experience occasional obstacles, they now have effective strategies to navigate them quickly rather than remaining stuck for extended periods.

    Explore More About Artist Mentorship Benefits