• Breaking Through Creative Roadblocks

    Breaking Through Creative Roadblocks

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    ISSUE #011

    We’ve all hit that invisible wall—the one where you show up to the studio with high hopes and leave discouraged, wondering where your spark went. This week, I want to speak directly into that moment. The truth is, creative blocks are not signs of failure—they’re invitations. They’re signposts that something deeper might be going on beneath the surface, something God wants to address, heal, or renew.

    Philippians 4:13 reminds us that we can do all things—including push through creative resistance—through Christ who strengthens us. So if you’re facing a block right now, take heart. There is grace available. There’s clarity waiting on the other side of confusion. And there’s a river of creativity that flows when we lean into God’s presence instead of our performance.

    May this week be filled with supernatural insight, released pressure, and a fresh awareness of God’s power flowing through your creativity.

    In His love and creativity,
    Matt Tommey

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    Scripture: Philippians 4:13

    Creative blocks don’t just appear out of nowhere—they often point to areas where we’ve believed lies, absorbed fear, or tried to operate in our own strength. Paul’s words in Philippians 4:13 aren’t about hustle. They’re about surrender. When we abide in Christ and depend on His strength, we’re not just empowered to create—we’re liberated to be fully ourselves.

    Prayer:
    Jesus, I lay down every fear, every mental block, and every bit of pressure I’ve been carrying. I believe You’ve called me, and You will strengthen me. Speak into the dry places and reignite my heart with Your beauty. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

    Spiritual Action Step:
    Identify one lie or pressure you’ve been carrying about your art, and write a biblical truth to replace it. Declare it aloud every time resistance surfaces.

    CLARIFY

    Sometimes the biggest block isn’t artistic—it’s mental clutter. Clarity often comes when we pause long enough to discern what’s draining us. Are you overcommitted? Overstimulated? Have you been comparing your work to others or working for validation instead of overflow?

    God’s strength doesn’t rush—it flows. Take a moment to ask Him where your creative energy is getting stuck.

    Reflection Prompt:
    What’s been clouding my focus or draining my passion this week?

    Practical Action Step:
    Write out three clear, doable creative priorities for the week that align with peace and purpose—not pressure.

    CREATE

    Creative blocks are real, but they’re not permanent. Often, the best way to break through is not by waiting on inspiration—but by creating anyway. Give yourself permission to make without perfection. Just like priming a pump, consistent motion awakens momentum.

    And remember, Jesus is with you in the process. Even your ‘messy’ art time can be a sacred offering.

    Studio Action Step:
    Choose one medium and set a timer for 20 minutes. Create without judgment. No editing. No erasing. Just flow. Notice what God stirs as you move freely.

    CULTIVATE

    Creative blocks can isolate us, but connection re-energizes us. Sharing what you’re navigating—even if it feels vulnerable—creates bridges. When you show up in honesty, your audience leans in. They don’t want perfect—they want real.

    Marketing Insight:
    This week, tell your audience about a creative block you’ve faced and how you’re pressing through it with God. This not only builds trust—it invites others into transformation too.

    Outreach Action Step:
    Post a short reflection, a before/after, or a simple question: ‘What helps you break through creative blocks?’

    TECH TIP FOR THRIVING

    Platform: Artrooms

    Artrooms is a powerful app that lets you visualize your artwork in realistic interior settings—making your online presentation stronger and more engaging. Collectors want to imagine your art in their space. Artrooms helps them do just that.

    Creative Tip:
    Upload three of your pieces to Artrooms and explore how they look in various room mockups. Choose one and share it on Instagram to boost engagement and professional polish.

    Link: https://artroomsapp.com

    INSPIRE

    Murals That Mend: Art, Faith & Social Justice

    In Millvale, Pennsylvania, a striking story of faith-driven art conservation is unfolding around the 80-year-old murals painted inside St. Nicholas Croatian Catholic Church by Maksimilijan ‘Maxo’ Vanka. These vivid murals, blending traditional religious imagery with bold social commentary, depict the struggles of immigrant mothers, war, and economic injustice—earning them the nickname ‘The Sistine Chapel of Pittsburgh.’

    Thanks to the Society to Preserve the Millvale Murals, sections of the artwork were restored in May 2025, now shining as they did 80 years ago. Supported by grants and community outreach, this project reminds us that art can be a spiritual declaration and a tool for justice.

    Takeaway:
    Think beyond the canvas. Could your next project preserve legacy, restore truth, or build community through beauty?

    Find out more about this inspiring story

    LISTEN

    Episode Title: Breaking Through Creative Roadblocks

    In this episode, I share the three major causes of creative blocks: spiritual warfare, internal clutter, and inspiration gaps. You’ll learn how to confront fear-based thoughts with biblical truth, partner with the Holy Spirit in the midst of resistance, and apply practical tools to get the creative flow going again. If you’re feeling stuck, this one’s for you.

    Listen Now

    WATCH

    Song: ‘Break Every Chain’ – Jesus Culture

    This week’s worship pick is all about spiritual breakthrough. As you listen, let the declarations of freedom soak into your spirit and push back against creative resistance. You are not stuck—you are being strengthened.

    FEATURED ARTIST: Mark Lee

    Redemption, Reinvention, and Art with a Second Chance
    📍 Website | 📱 Instagram

    For Mark Lee, creating art isn’t just about crafting something beautiful—it’s about telling a story of redemption, second chances, and the God who makes all things new.

    Mark is the creative force behind One of a Kind NZ, where he repurposes vintage objects into functional, one-of-a-kind works of art. From clocks and lighting fixtures to Bluetooth stereos and sculptural pieces, his designs breathe new life into forgotten items. “I transform vintage objects that have outlived their original purpose,” he explains. “In many ways, my work mirrors my own journey—infused with themes of redemption and second chances.”

    That personal journey has been shaped and strengthened by his connection to the Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program.

    “When I was just getting started, CTT’s teaching, fellowship, and encouragement were invaluable. To realize there are so many others gifted and called to the creative arts—and to journey with them toward success and fulfillment—is amazing.”

    Mark describes that unmistakable moment of creative joy when you’re completely aligned with your calling: “You’re working on a piece and you just know—you were 100% created for this.”

    As he’s grown in his calling, Mark has found that the foundation for all he does is rooted in identity:
    🎯 “It all starts with understanding how God sees me. Once we understand His love for us, it’s much easier to understand His purpose for us.”

    That clarity has opened the door for many powerful God-moments—especially in the sale of his work. “What others may call coincidence or karma, I call God doing what He does,” he says. Mark regularly experiences divine timing and unexpected provision through his business. Whether it’s a high-end piece or a $7 card, he always stops to give thanks. “Every time I sell something, I thank God immediately. I recognize His hand in it all.”

    In addition to being a skilled artist and craftsman, Mark also brings years of experience as a graphic designer, which shines through in his polished branding. Everything from his signage to his social media is a reflection of the excellence and thoughtfulness he puts into his creative business. It’s no surprise that other artists often ask him for guidance and advice.

    Mark Lee’s work is a testament to what’s possible when artistry, identity, and purpose come together. Through every piece he creates, he’s not just restoring objects—he’s releasing hope, excellence, and the unmistakable touch of the Creator.

    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