ISSUE #017
Have you ever felt like you were straining to hear God’s voice in the middle of your day-to-day life? Maybe in the chaos of emails, family needs, art deadlines, and general busyness, you’re wondering, “Is God even speaking?” Let me encourage you—He is. And not only is He speaking, He wants you to recognize His voice with clarity and confidence. That’s not a far-off ideal for the spiritually elite—it’s a promise straight from Jesus’ own words in John 10:27: “My sheep hear My voice.” Hearing God is not a bonus feature for the Christian life—it’s foundational.
This week, we’re diving into the spiritual practice of listening. Whether you’re seeking direction in your art, parenting, finances, or spiritual walk, tuning your heart to God’s voice is a game changer. And good news—you don’t have to go to a mountain or monastery to hear Him. It’s about being present, quieting the noise, and creating space for His whispers, even in your studio, your car, or the middle of making dinner. My hope is that this issue encourages you to lean in and cultivate that listening heart today.
May this week be filled with intentional reflection, creative breakthroughs, and meaningful connection with the Creator who put that beautiful imagination inside you.
In His love and creativity,
Matt Tommey
PS – If you’re ready to go deeper in hearing God’s voice—not just in your art, but in every part of your life—I want to personally invite you to start the Foundations Course. This is where I teach the core principles that help Christian artists renew their minds, overcome fear, clarify God’s vision for their life and confidently walk in alignment with God’s voice and purpose.
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CONNECT
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”
—John 10:27 (NKJV)
Jesus didn’t say some of His sheep hear His voice. He said His sheep do. That includes you, right now, in whatever season you’re in. But hearing isn’t just about our ears—it’s about posture. Are we slowing down? Are we turning down the volume of distraction long enough to recognize His whispers? His voice comes with peace, clarity, and always aligns with His Word. When you create space to listen, you’ll find He’s been speaking all along.
Prayer:
Father, thank You that You are always speaking and that You’ve given me the ability to hear You. Help me quiet the noise, soften my heart, and tune into the voice of the Good Shepherd. I want to walk in step with You in every area of my life and creativity. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Spiritual Action Step:
Set aside 10–15 minutes each morning this week to sit quietly, journal, and ask God one question: “What do You want me to know today?” Then listen. Write what you sense.
CLARIFY
Hearing God’s voice starts with intention. That means making space in your schedule and your heart for clarity to flow. Instead of rushing into your day with a to-do list, try starting with a to-be list: “Today I will be available. I will be attentive. I will be open.” God doesn’t compete with chaos. He invites us into alignment so we can receive the guidance we need for the week ahead.
Take a moment to reflect: What’s one area of your life where you’ve been seeking God’s direction? What would it look like to pause, listen, and allow His voice to guide you there?
Practical Action Step:
Write down your top 3 goals for this week. Then pray over them. Ask God to highlight which ones align with His heart—and which ones may need to wait or shift.
CREATE
You know those moments when you’re creating and time just slips away? That sense of flow and presence? That’s a prime place for God to speak. Creativity is a sacred portal for connection. As artists, our senses are already tuned to beauty, form, and movement—what if you leaned in a little more this week, not just to express yourself, but to listen?
Keep your journal nearby while you create. If a Scripture, phrase, or impression comes, pause and write it down. Your art can become a conversation—a visual echo of heaven’s whispers.
Studio Action Step:
Next time you’re in the studio, begin your session with a short prayer: “Holy Spirit, speak through my hands today.” Then create with the expectation that He will meet you in the process.
CULTIVATE
Hearing God’s voice isn’t just about personal guidance—it’s about releasing life to others. Your art can become a vehicle of encouragement, healing, and clarity for those who encounter it. Whether you share a finished piece, a journal excerpt, or a short reflection, your obedience in listening and creating can spark something profound in someone else.
Remember, people aren’t just buying art—they’re connecting with the story, spirit, and presence it carries. When your art comes from a listening heart, it carries Kingdom weight.
Outreach Action Step:
Choose one piece of art this week and share a short caption or story behind it on social media. End with a question like, “Has God ever spoken to you through creativity?”
TECH TIP FOR THRIVING
Platform: Linktree
Linktree makes it super easy to direct your audience to all your most important links from your Instagram bio. Instead of picking just one, now you can include your website, email list signup, online store, and even your latest artwork.
Tool Tip:
Create a free Linktree account. Add links to:
- Your website or shop
- Your Instagram
- Your email signup page
- One featured artwork
Then add that Linktree URL to your IG bio. Simple, clean, and super effective for building connection and increasing engagement.
INSPIRE
Reimagining Barn Raising as Creative Community-Building
I came across a beautiful story about architect and artist Erin Besler, who’s revived the age-old American tradition of barn raising at Art Omi, a sculpture‑and‑architecture park in New York
Instead of a traditional barn, Besler designed a timber frame structure that deliberately never becomes a functional building. The goal? To invite people—professionals and newcomers alike—to build together, learn, and be part of the creative process. Over the next few weeks, the project features hands‑on workshops, evening talks, and community‑led construction events before the big barn‑raising day on July 26, 2025.
What really stood out to me is how art becomes instruction, inclusion, and relationship—all in one project. Besler’s approach shatters the idea that art is only for the elite—it’s an open invitation to join in, contribute, and be seen. Plus, using untreated local wood speaks to sustainability rooted in place. As Christian, Kingdom creatives, we get this: art isn’t just about our individual voice—it’s about building together, stewarding creation, and teaching others the joy of making with their own hands.
LISTEN
Episode: How to Listen for God When Life Gets Noisy
Ever felt like God’s voice was lost in the shuffle of your everyday life? You’re not alone. In this episode, we’re diving deep into the spiritual and practical ways you can position yourself to hear from God—right where you are.
We’ll uncover some myths around who can hear God and how He speaks, and I’ll walk you through how to create sacred space even in the middle of a noisy world. From journaling impressions to listening during your creative process, this episode will help you identify God’s voice with confidence.
Key Takeaway:
Hearing from God is not a rare experience—it’s your Kingdom inheritance. You just need to create space to listen.
WATCH
If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to truly hear God’s voice—not audibly, but in the stillness of your heart—this song will take you there. “Voice of God” by Dante Bowe, featuring Steffany Gretzinger and Chandler Moore, is a worshipful meditation on the nearness and beauty of God’s presence.
From the first note, you’re invited into an atmosphere where Heaven feels close. It’s not just a song—it’s a sacred space. Whether you’re journaling, creating, or simply sitting in silence, this is the perfect anthem to accompany your time with the Lord this week.
FEATURED ARTIST: Julia Kuklis
From Despair to Destiny: Painting with Purpose and Power
Website | Instagram
For Julia Kuklis, painting is no longer just a creative outlet—it’s a sacred assignment, a lifeline, and a testimony of God’s redeeming power. Her journey into prophetic art began not in a studio, but in a moment of desperation.
“I cried out to God at 3am, telling Him that if He wanted me to paint, He would have to bring me a mentor—someone who was an artist and loved the Lord.”
Just two weeks later, Julia discovered the Artist Rise Up workshop and the Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program—a divine answer to her prayer.
“The mentorship broke decades of despair and lies off my life. I went from not knowing what prophetic art was to now serving as the Assistant Prophetic Art Director at my church. My entire life has changed.”
Julia creates non-representational abstracts using vibrant color, texture, and movement. Her “scratch-through” technique and layered approach give her work a sense of emotional depth and revelation. Whether she’s responding to Scripture, worship, or simply the beauty in nature, every piece is an act of co-creating with the Holy Spirit.
“Color excites me the most! But even more, I love that the Lord meets me in the process—reminding me of who He is and who I am.”
She recalls a powerful moment when a young man approached her after she painted during a church service. Her semi-abstract piece deeply resonated with him, and as they talked, he began to cry—feeling seen, uplifted, and ministered to.
“That’s the beauty of prophetic art,” she says. “Even abstract work can carry a word from God directly to someone’s heart.”
Julia balances her artistic calling with the demands of homeschooling, often painting in short, focused blocks of time. Whether she has 20 minutes or a couple of hours, she makes space to be present with God, letting the process flow. Some days are less productive, but she’s learned to give herself grace and stay connected by organizing her studio, listening to worship music, or simply observing the beauty around her.
Her encouragement to other artists?
🎨 “Don’t let the enemy rob you of your creative birthright. You’re creating for an audience of One—and He delights in you!”
From juried shows to commissions and church ministry, Julia is seeing God expand her influence, even in a season where she paints part-time. Her obedience, vulnerability, and trust have opened doors for healing, impact, and purpose in ways she never imagined.
Julia’s life and work are a living testimony: when you surrender your art to God, He doesn’t just restore what’s broken—He releases beauty that touches the world.
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.
