Issue #020
In our fast-paced, always-on world, stillness often feels like a luxury we can’t afford. Yet Psalm 46:10 gently reminds us, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Stillness isn’t just about stopping activity—it’s about making space to recognize God’s presence, hear His voice, and let His peace reshape the atmosphere of your creative life. In stillness, the noise fades, and we can hear the Spirit’s whispers more clearly.
As artists, stillness becomes both a spiritual practice and a creative catalyst. It’s in those unhurried moments that ideas take root, clarity comes, and anxiety loosens its grip. When we embrace stillness as a rhythm—not a rare escape—it transforms our art, our relationships, and even our business decisions. This week, let’s discover together how being still can actually accelerate your growth as an artist, spiritually and creatively.
🌟 Special Opportunity: The Core4 Focus Planner
If you’ve ever wished for a simple, Spirit-led framework to keep your art, life, and business aligned, my Core4 Focus Planner is for you. Designed around the four daily/weekly rhythms of Connect, Clarify, Create, and Cultivate, this 90-day planner helps you stay consistent with the habits that actually move the needle—both spiritually and practically.
You can learn all about it—and grab your copy—right here: Get the Core4 Focus Planner
I’m cheering you on always!
In His love and creativity,
Matt Tommey
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CONNECT
Psalm 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God.”
Stillness is more than an absence of movement; it’s the intentional choice to fix our attention on God. In stillness, we remember that He is the source of our creativity, provision, and peace. It’s in this sacred pause that we receive fresh vision and clarity.
Prayer:
Lord, teach me to rest in You. Quiet my heart so I can hear Your voice above all the noise. Fill me with Your peace and guide my hands in the work You’ve called me to. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Spiritual Action Step: Set aside 15 minutes each day this week for uninterrupted stillness before God. No phone, no sketchbook—just you and Him.
CLARIFY
Stillness isn’t wasted time; it’s where strategy is born. When you pause to seek God’s direction, you’re better able to see which projects, opportunities, and relationships are truly in alignment with His plan for your creative journey. This week, before diving into your to-do list, take time to ask: What’s the most God-aligned thing I can do today?
Action Step: Schedule one uninterrupted 30-minute block this week for prayerful reflection on your goals. Write down three actions that align with your God-given vision—and commit to them.
CREATE
Artists often fear stillness because they equate it with stagnation. But in God’s Kingdom, stillness is fertile ground. Ideas mature, techniques evolve, and breakthroughs emerge when we give ourselves permission to rest, watch, and listen. Inspiration often comes like a whisper, not a shout.
Studio Action Step: Before you begin creating, spend five minutes quietly observing your materials, textures, and colors. Let your hands respond without pressure to produce—see what flows naturally from the calm.
CULTIVATE
In a noisy online world, the artists who truly connect are often those who bring a sense of peace and presence to their audience. Sharing your own stillness—whether through thoughtful posts, behind-the-scenes moments, or intentional conversations—can set you apart and draw people in.
Weekly Outreach Action Step: Record a short video or post this week about how stillness impacts your art. Invite your followers to share their own stillness practices. This vulnerability fosters trust and deepens community connection.
TECH TIP FOR THRIVING
Platform: Asana
Asana isn’t just a task manager—it’s a peacekeeper for your mind. By keeping all your art projects, due dates, and action items in one place, you free up mental space for creativity.
Pro Tip: Create recurring weekly reminders in Asana like “Studio Time” and “Prayer & Planning.” Set alarms so you never forget the habits that keep you aligned and thriving.
INSPIRE
Paper, Reinvented: Sculpting Light with Washi
The Palmer Museum of Art’s Washi Transformed exhibition takes humble Japanese paper and turns it into breathtaking contemporary sculpture. Artists fold, weave, layer, and engineer washi into rippling forms that seem to catch and hold light itself.
Faith takeaway: God delights in transforming what’s common into something extraordinary—our role is simply to show up and steward what’s in our hands.
Full story here: Read More
LISTEN & WATCH
Episode: Discover How Stillness Can Change Your Art Forever
What if the creative breakthrough you’ve been searching for isn’t found in more techniques or strategies, but in learning to be still? In this soul-stirring episode, we explore how sacred stillness unlocks divine creativity in ways that constant striving never can.
The tension between worldly pressure and spiritual flow creates a fascinating paradox for Christian artists. While culture pushes us to create faster, stay visible, and constantly perform, God whispers an invitation into stillness. “Cease striving and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10) becomes our creative manifesto, challenging us to trust that God has already given us everything we need for inspired artistry.
Drawing from personal experiences and biblical wisdom, this episode offers practical guidance for transforming your creative process. Learn how beginning each studio session with intentional quiet time, eliminating digital distractions, and releasing the pressure to make everything “content” can dramatically shift your artistic flow. Discover when to push through creative blocks and when to trust that stepping away might actually be the most productive choice.
At its heart, this conversation reveals that the most profound art comes not from straining or performing, but from positioning our hearts to receive. When we approach creativity as co-creation with the divine—receiving gifts of inspiration rather than manufacturing them through willpower—we access a flow that’s both deeply fulfilling and spiritually transformative.
WORSHIP
This song beautifully captures the essence of Psalm 46:10—inviting us to quiet our hearts and make room for God’s voice. Let it be your soundtrack as you practice stillness this week.
FEATURED ARTIST: Erica Beeler
Painting Places Where God and Creativity Meet
📍 Website | 📱 Instagram
For Erica Beeler, art is more than brushstrokes—it’s a God-given calling that has shaped her identity, fueled her purpose, and brought her into a community she once thought didn’t exist.
During the isolation of the COVID pandemic, Erica longed for connection with other Christian artists. She found it—unexpectedly—through Matt Tommey’s podcast, a masterclass, and ultimately, the Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program.
“I learned that it was no accident I had creative interests—it was part of God’s plan. The Enemy had tried for years to convince me my art was a frivolous hobby. But I realized I am divinely called to be an artist, and God can impact the world through art in profound ways.”
As a landscape and travel painter, Erica draws inspiration from the many places she’s visited, especially where nature and human craftsmanship blend—gardens, cottages, and carefully curated spaces that feel like divine collaborations. Beyond her paintings, she creates inspiring and educational art videos, using YouTube and social media to encourage others to overcome fear and embrace their creativity.
“Just like I found community and encouragement through the mentoring program, I want to offer that same encouragement to someone else who might need it.”
Her journey hasn’t been without challenges. There were seasons when the security of an office job seemed more practical, but unfulfilling.
“If I stopped painting, something inside me would die,” she admits. “It’s God’s reason, not mine, and knowing He made me this way is enough to keep going.”
One of her favorite moments came when an abstract painting caught the eye of a colorblind man at a local festival—both with and without his special glasses. The connection they shared reminded her that art has the power to speak in ways we can’t plan.
Erica’s creative rhythm includes dedicated studio space, prioritizing art during her daughter’s nap times, and daily prayer for the next step.
“God rarely shows the big picture—just the next piece of the puzzle. My job is to act in faith with the information I have.”
Her advice to fellow artists? Keep putting yourself out there—apply to shows, enter galleries, and build community.
“The art business isn’t just about sales. It’s truly a community, and every step you take opens new doors.”
Through her art and encouragement, Erica is faithfully painting the beauty of God’s creation while inspiring others to find their voice, their courage, and their place in His story.
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.
