Issue #021
If you’ve ever felt like the art world pushes you to go faster, produce more, and keep up with an exhausting pace—you’re not alone. The truth is, hustle culture isn’t just stressful; it’s completely opposite to the way God designed us to thrive. Jesus invites us in Matthew 11:28-30 MSG to walk with Him and “learn the unforced rhythms of grace.” That means our creativity doesn’t have to be driven by anxiety or comparison. Instead, it can flow naturally from a place of peace and partnership with Him.
This week’s focus on grace-paced creativity is a reminder that slowing down isn’t failure—it’s wisdom. Just like nature operates in seasons, our creative lives have rhythms of rest, growth, and harvest. By embracing the pace God sets, you’ll not only avoid burnout, but you’ll find deeper joy, peace, and longevity in your creative calling.
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
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Special Feature: The Core4 Focus Planner
One of the most powerful ways to embrace grace-paced creativity is by building a rhythm that helps you Connect with God, Clarify your goals, Create consistently, and Cultivate relationships. That’s exactly why I designed the Core4 Focus Planner—a tool to keep you aligned, inspired, and on track without the overwhelm.
If you’re ready to organize your life and art practice around God’s priorities instead of culture’s pressures, this planner will be a game-changer.
CONNECT
Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
God’s invitation is simple: come to Him. Creativity born from striving drains us, but creativity born from His presence renews us. Rest isn’t laziness; it’s the fertile ground where inspiration flourishes and peace reigns.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for inviting me to walk at Your pace. Teach me to release the weight of striving and receive the gift of rest in You. Let my creativity flow from Your rhythms of grace, not my own pressure. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Spiritual Action Step: Begin each studio session this week by reading Matthew 11:28-30 aloud, inviting Jesus to set the pace of your day.
CLARIFY
Slowing down gives us space to discern what really matters. Without clarity, it’s easy to run hard in the wrong direction, exhausting yourself on projects and commitments that don’t align with God’s call. Grace-paced creativity means you stop measuring success by speed and start measuring it by alignment.
Practical Action Step: Write down your top three creative priorities for this season. Ask yourself: Which of these is God truly highlighting right now? Give yourself permission to focus on that one priority this week.
CREATE
Your studio doesn’t need to be a place of constant output. It can be a sanctuary where joy and peace flow freely. When you slow down, you’ll notice textures, colors, and techniques that might have gone unnoticed in the rush. This presence-centered creativity produces art that carries life.
Studio Action Step: Set a timer for 45 minutes. Create slowly and intentionally—no multitasking, no rushing. Pay attention to the small details and enjoy the process without pressure to finish.
CULTIVATE
Audiences today are weary of noise and speed. They long for authenticity, presence, and connection. When you share your creative journey at a slower, more thoughtful pace, you invite your community into something refreshing. Grace-paced creativity doesn’t just bless you—it blesses those who experience your art.
Outreach Action Step: Post one thoughtful reflection this week about what slowing down has done for your art. Invite your followers to comment on how they’re seeking rest in their own lives.
TECH TIP FOR THRIVING
Platform: CapCut
CapCut empowers artists to create professional-quality videos without needing a big learning curve. It’s perfect for showcasing your process in a way that feels polished but personal.
Pro Tip: Record a simple 30-second video of your hands creating or prepping your artwork. Use CapCut to trim, add soft background music, and overlay a caption like “Grace-Paced Creativity.” Share it on Instagram Reels or Facebook to connect with your audience in a meaningful way.
INSPIRE
Old Chapel, New Life: Lincoln’s “Art Chapel” Opens Its Doors
Hey creative friends! Here’s a beautiful picture of art breathing life into a neighborhood. In Lincoln, Nebraska, students from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln teamed up with F Street Neighborhood Church to transform a 150-year-old chapel into a flexible community arts center. They designed the space with smart, simple features—custom tables with outlets, discreet storage, and even a sliding wall that opens the studio to the deck so the public can watch creativity in motion. (Read More)
The results are already rippling: weekly open studios, First Friday shows, family art camps, knitting groups, and expanded art sessions with an addiction-recovery partner. It’s a gorgeous reminder for us as Kingdom creatives: sometimes the most powerful “art piece” is the environment we create for others to discover their God-given creativity.
Faith takeaway: Consider how your studio or church could become an invitation—host an open table, curate a mini-showcase, or make one small change that makes creating together easier. Little changes can create a big impact.
Why not consider starting a small group this Fall using some of our incredible resources for Kingdom artists including the new Foundations Course Book? You just might be the door opener someone needs to start stepping into their creative call.
LISTEN & WATCH
Episode: Grace-Paced Creativity
Have you been caught in an endless cycle of hustle and disappointment? This week’s podcast invites you to step off that treadmill and embrace Jesus’ invitation to “learn the unforced rhythms of grace.”
Instead of striving to meet cultural standards of success, you’ll learn how to operate from the inside out—grounded in God’s truth and led by His Spirit. Through the Core4 Focus framework and a recognition of creative seasons, you’ll discover that slowing down is not the end of productivity—it’s the start of fruitfulness.
Key Takeaway: True success as an artist isn’t about working harder; it’s about walking at God’s pace and creating from a place of rest.
WORSHIP
“Be Still and Know” – Housefires (Live)
This beautiful worship song captures the heart of Matthew 11:28-30, reminding us that rest and trust in God are the foundation of a thriving creative life. As you listen, let the simple refrain wash over you and become a rhythm in your studio time this week: be still, and know that He is God.
FEATURED ARTIST: Elizabeth Van Tassel
📍 Website | 📸 Instagram | 📘 Facebook
For Created to Thrive member Elizabeth Van Tassel, art has always been a part of her life, but in this new season, God has transformed her creative calling into a source of ministry and community. A painter of watercolor gouache landscapes and a graduate gemologist, Elizabeth is launching Elizabeth Van Tassel Studios alongside her husband as they enter their empty-nester years. What began as a hobby has grown into a flourishing business with juried art and craft fairs, private showcases, and a line of jewelry in development.
Elizabeth is quick to credit the role of the Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program in this transition:
“Matt’s mentoring program gave me the courage and tools to move from painting as a hobby into a business. The advice on everything from websites to mindset has been invaluable.”
She goes on to say, “ALL of your advice has been invaluable in setting up the website, learning the how-to’s step by step, not feeling alone in moving from painting since my teens to using it as a hobby for so long, to launching my business this year as we are empty nesters.”
Her process is prayer-infused from start to finish: “The perspective while creating art to not only spend time and seek the Lord in the process of painting—but KEY THING—pray for those who see the artwork and eventually purchase it for their lives to be touched with what the Holy Spirit wants to infuse it with. This has been flat AMAZING to see women and even men come to tears in our booth this summer.”
That commitment has led to powerful God-moments. At one festival, a little girl named Lilly was captivated by a painting of a lily pad at sunset, later returning with her missionary family. Another day, a woman in a wheelchair rolled up to Elizabeth’s booth, spotted her hidden crosses woven into the artwork, and left encouraged and prayed for. These divine encounters remind Elizabeth of her role as a vessel of God’s presence.
Her journey hasn’t been without challenges—wildfire evacuations, unexpected expenses, and logistical hurdles. But even in these moments, she’s learning to walk in trust:
“God’s unexpected provision—the quest is to SHOW UP where He points us and the provision will be there, but it may be packaged unexpectedly.”
Through it all, Elizabeth holds fast to the dream God placed in her heart: building a creative business that doesn’t just sell art but creates a community of faith, beauty, and encouragement.
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.
