ISSUE #028
Have you ever felt like God gave you this creative gift but forgot to include the roadmap? You show up, you pray, you work hard—but nothing seems to move. You start wondering if maybe you misheard Him or missed your moment. Friend, I’ve been there. Years ago, I remember that same ache, asking God why the results didn’t match the effort. What I didn’t realize back then was that He wasn’t ignoring me; He was forming me.
The truth is, trusting God’s plan as an artist is rarely about instant clarity—it’s about faithful consistency. It’s about believing that His timing and process are perfect, even when ours feels painfully slow. This week, I want to encourage you to embrace that process and allow God to build not only your art career but also your character, dependence, and peace. The waiting season is never wasted when your heart is anchored in Him.
May this week be filled with intentional reflection, creative breakthroughs, and meaningful connection with the Creator who put that beautiful imagination inside you.
Cheering you on,
Matt Tommey
PS – I’m super excited to let you know we’re releasing our new UncleMatt.ai mentoring tool for artists today. Find out more.
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Painting the Seen & Unseen Beauty of God’s Creation
This week, our featured artist is Helen Read who sees her art not only as a way to capture the beauty of God’s creation, but as a spiritual language of communion with her Creator. Read more…
CONNECT
Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT) — “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.”
When life feels uncertain, trust becomes the brushstroke that shapes everything. God invites you to surrender your need to understand and simply walk with Him. Even when you can’t see what He’s doing, He’s weaving beauty behind the scenes. The creative process mirrors this truth—every unfinished canvas is full of hidden potential, waiting for the next stroke of His guidance.
Prayer:
Father, I choose to trust You in the places I don’t yet understand. Help me release my need to control outcomes and rest in the confidence that You are working all things together for my good. Align my creativity with Your peace and purpose. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Action Step: Take five minutes today to quiet your mind and simply invite the Holy Spirit into your creative process. Write down one area where you need to trust His timing.
CLARIFY
When momentum slows or opportunities feel distant, clarity begins by asking: “What is mine to do today?” Not tomorrow. Not next year. Today. God rarely shows the whole roadmap because He’s inviting you to walk in daily dependence, one obedient step at a time.
Reflect on what God has already said—through Scripture, promises, or prophetic words. Which of those truths is He asking you to act on right now? Let that become your anchor.
Action Step: Write a short “Today’s Focus” statement in your journal. Keep it simple: “Today, I will ___ in faith.” Then, commit to doing just that one thing.
CREATE
Every brushstroke of faith matters, even when no one sees it. The seasons that feel hidden are often the most formative. Remember David tending sheep after his anointing or Bezalel quietly preparing before building the tabernacle. God is using your studio time to build not just your art, but your trust.
Instead of striving for inspiration, create in obedience. Let your art become a living “yes” to God’s invitation. Fruitfulness always follows faithfulness.
Studio Action Step: Choose one unfinished pie
CULTIVATE
Faithfulness in your relationships mirrors faithfulness in your calling. While you’re trusting God’s unseen plan, don’t forget to nurture the people He’s already placed in your world—your collectors, followers, and creative friends. Ministry often looks like presence more than performance.
Be generous with encouragement. Share behind-the-scenes glimpses or stories of how God is working in your creative life. You never know who’s watching, waiting for a reminder that God is still faithful.
Outreach Action Step: Send a voice message, DM, or handwritten note to one person who’s supported your art. Thank them and speak a short blessing over their life.
WATCH & LISTEN
Have you ever wondered if you missed God’s plan for your life? In this week’s episode, I share the story of how God used a season of frustration to form me into the artist I am today.
You’ll learn three powerful truths for trusting His timing, even when progress seems invisible—and how to build a daily rhythm of faith through the Core4 Focus Framework™.
TECH TIP FOR THRIVING
The brand-new UncleMatt.ai is here—a personal creative companion built from my 30 years of teaching and mentoring artists. Think of it as having me in your pocket 24/7, ready to help you refocus on God’s plan, renew your mind, and take confident next steps in your art and business.
Ask it about pricing your art, creative blocks, renewing your mind, or biblical principles for thriving as a Christian artist—it’s all in there. Designed for Spirit-led artists who want wisdom, not overwhelm.
👉 Find Out More & Enroll Today!
WORSHIP
When you can’t see what God is doing, worship is the bridge that carries you forward. This song perfectly captures the surrender that comes when we trade control for trust. Let it be your soundtrack in the studio this week.
FEATURED ARTIST: Helen Read
Painting the Seen and Unseen Beauty of God’s Creation
🌐 HelenCRead.com
📱 Instagram: @Helen.Read_Art
For artist Helen Read, painting is not only a way to capture the beauty of creation—it’s a spiritual language of communion with the Creator. As a long-time member of the Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program, Helen has grown in both confidence and clarity, learning to view her art as a collaboration with the Holy Spirit.
“Beyond the compelling need to create, I’m finding great joy in learning to work with the Holy Spirit and realizing this is a way God designed me to know Him more intimately.”
Painting the Landscape of Faith
Helen’s work is rooted in landscape painting, where she uses the rich texture of oil paint on canvas and gessoed panels to portray scenes that shimmer with divine wonder. Her goal is to capture not just what the eye can see, but the spiritual essence of the moment—what she calls “the unseen of the renewed earth.”
Recently, she’s also begun exploring abstract painting, finding inspiration in Scripture—especially the Psalms—to express invisible truths and emotions that words cannot convey.
“Abstract painting is challenging, but it’s the perfect genre to express abstract concepts—especially those found in Scripture.”
A Journey of Trust and Provision
Four years ago, Helen retired from full-time teaching to focus on her art and online courses. It was a leap of faith—and God has shown Himself faithful every step of the way.
“It’s been a walk of faith with a vastly reduced income, and yet my trust in the goodness and provision of God has grown. When I’ve needed provision, it has come. When I’ve needed encouragement, it’s been given.”
That same faith now fuels her generosity. Each quarter, Helen gives away a small 3×3″ original painting to someone on her email list. She often receives heartfelt notes from recipients who describe how those little works of beauty bring joy and encouragement into their daily lives.
“It’s a way that God speaks a blessing over the recipient. Even a small piece of art can have a profound, uplifting impact.”
Walking in Step with the Spirit
Each day begins with prayer, journaling, and listening for the Lord’s direction. Helen approaches her work with intentional flexibility—having a plan, but allowing space for divine interruptions.
“I’m learning to see what I do artistically as a collaboration. I receive His help with new ideas, problem-solving, and ways of seeing differently.”
Her encouragement for fellow artists? Stay faithful. Stay curious. Stay connected.
- Be persistent. Growth comes through consistent practice and a mindset that refuses to give up.
- Renew your mind daily. Surround yourself with Scripture and encouraging voices.
- Keep a growth mindset. Remember that artistic and spiritual growth are intertwined—and that God delights in the journey.
“We honor Him as we pursue the design He’s given us. We have an exciting opportunity to make what is unseen seen through our work—and I think God is delighted to work with us in that pursuit.”
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.
