• Recognizing God’s Voice in Your Art

    Recognizing God’s Voice in Your Art

    ,

    ISSUE #018

    You ever have one of those moments in the studio where something just clicks—where your hands are moving, the paint is flowing, and suddenly you realize you’re not just making art… you’re being led? That still small voice isn’t just for prayer closets or quiet time. It shows up right there in the swirl of color, the rhythm of your process, and the ideas that come out of nowhere yet land with eternal purpose. This week, we’re diving into what it means to recognize God’s voice in the midst of your creativity—and how to cultivate a life that’s tuned in and ready to respond.

    Isaiah 30:21 reminds us, “Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, ‘This is the way you should go,’ whether to the right or to the left.” When you embrace that truth as an artist, everything changes. You stop striving, start listening, and find a flow that’s not just beautiful—it’s sacred. Whether you’re picking up the brush for the first time in a while or you’re in the thick of creating something new, I hope this issue encourages you to lean in and let God lead the way.

    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

    “Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, ‘This is the way you should go.’” – Isaiah 30:21 (NLT)

    God doesn’t just speak to pastors and prophets—He speaks to artists, too. And more often than not, He speaks in the process. That moment when you’re deciding on a color palette or composition and a sudden clarity washes over you? That can be Him. Learning to recognize God’s voice in your creative flow starts by expecting that He wants to speak.

    Prayer
    Lord, I want to hear Your voice clearly as I create. Quiet the noise, calm my fears, and tune my heart to Yours. Help me recognize Your guidance in every brushstroke, sketch line, and moment of inspiration. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

    Spiritual Action Step: Before your next creative session, pause and ask the Holy Spirit, “What do You want to express through me today?” Write it down. Trust it. Create from it.

    CLARIFY

    If God really is speaking, the question becomes: are you making space to listen? The creative life is full of motion—ideas, deadlines, distractions—but clarity comes when we slow down enough to ask, “Lord, what are You saying to me this week about my art, my goals, and my calling?” The more you practice that alignment, the more confident you’ll become in your direction.

    Whether you’re planning a new collection or wondering which opportunities to pursue, don’t just look at the numbers or what’s popular—ask God. He loves to partner with you.

    Reflection Prompt: Where in your creative life do you need clearer direction this week?

    Action Step: Write down 3 current goals. Next to each, ask: “Did God lead me here, or am I just filling space?” Then, revise your priorities to reflect what feels truly Spirit-led.

    CREATE

    You don’t need to wait for a booming voice from heaven to know that God’s in your studio. Often, His presence shows up in peace. In joy. In the little nudges that whisper, “Try this.” Maybe it’s layering in a new texture, experimenting with color, or revisiting an old sketch with new eyes. That’s where creativity becomes collaboration.

    And here’s the thing—when you trust that flow, you don’t just make better art… you make art with a message. Whether it’s subtle or bold, your creative offering becomes a seed that the Holy Spirit can breathe on.

    Studio Action Step: Choose one piece of art in progress. Ask God what message or emotion He wants to convey through it. Then finish it, not from pressure, but from presence.

    CULTIVATE

    Recognizing God’s voice doesn’t stop in the studio—it moves through your audience as well. When your art speaks to someone’s heart, you’re witnessing a divine echo. That’s why sharing your work matters. You never know who’s been waiting for what only your voice can release.

    Ana Quintana’s journey is proof that showing up daily, building community, and staying aligned with God can open unexpected doors—like magazine features and gallery opportunities that started with a simple “yes.” Be bold in showing your work. Be faithful in connecting.

    Outreach Action Step: Choose one recent piece that carries a story. Share that story in a social media post or email this week, highlighting how God led you in the process. Ask your audience how it speaks to them.

    TECH TIP FOR THRIVING

    Meta Business Suite is your one-stop command center for managing Instagram and Facebook. You can schedule content, reply to messages, and most importantly—analyze what’s actually working.

    Click on the Insights tab this week and take note of your top 3 performing posts from the last month. Were they personal? Process-driven? Studio shots? Use that insight to shape your future posts and align more deeply with your audience.

    Use Meta Business Suite

    Action Step: Jot down your top 3 posts. What themes or visuals stood out? What responses did you get? Ask yourself, “What felt authentic and aligned with my message?”

    INSPIRE

    Trashing Trash – Turning Sea Debris into Art That Educates

    This week’s story comes from a beautiful partnership between artists and National Parks educators. Instead of tossing collected marine litter like water bottles and fishing nets, artists turned it into sculptures that now grace coastal trails. The installations don’t just spark curiosity—they inspire action.

    As Kingdom creatives, this is our reminder: your art can make change. You can reflect beauty and purpose even from broken pieces.

    Read the Full Story

    LISTEN / WATCH

    LISTEN NOW

    Have you ever wondered if the inspiration you feel while creating could actually be God speaking to you? What if your art isn’t just a product of your imagination but a divine invitation into deeper relationship and purpose?

    In this episode of the Thriving Christian Artist podcast, How to Hear God’s Voice When You Create, we explore practical and spiritual ways to recognize and respond to God’s whispers during your creative process.

    Drawing from Isaiah 30:21, we talk about:

    • How to cultivate a quiet, sacred space to hear God clearly
    • Journaling, sketching, and reflection practices to amplify your spiritual sensitivity
    • Overcoming fear and stepping out in faith to release your work boldly
    • Trusting that God will use your art to speak to others in ways you could never imagine

    Whether you’re a painter, writer, musician, or any kind of maker, this episode will inspire you to embrace your creativity as a sacred dialogue with the Lord.

    FEATURED ARTIST: Ana Quintana

    Fluid Art, Divine Flow, and a Bold Leap into Calling
    📍 Website | 📱 Instagram

    For Ana Quintana, art is more than a creative pursuit—it’s a bold surrender to God’s timing, movement, and unexpected surprises. After a thriving career in the tech industry and a lifetime of appreciation for beauty, Ana followed a divine nudge to fully embrace her calling as an artist—and she hasn’t looked back.

    Ana is a fluid acrylic artist who creates expressive works using her hands, intuition, and a willingness to let go of control.

    “I don’t use brushes—just my hands and a desire to let the paint speak,” she says. “Each painting is a dance between intention and surrender, like life itself.”

    She draws inspiration from the natural world, spiritual themes, and the vibrant landscapes of the American Southwest and Mountain West. Her pieces feature rich pigments, shimmering mica, and mesmerizing textures that pull the viewer into a visual and emotional journey.

    “Color is my creative language,” Ana shares. “Each painting is a one-of-a-kind experience that blends chemistry, passion, and divine influence.”

    Ana’s spiritual and artistic breakthrough came through the Foundations Course.

    “Week 7 was a game-changer. I realized I had been defining success by sales, but God showed me that true success is obedience, joy, and purpose. That shift freed me.”

    And God has been opening doors. One of Ana’s church elders introduced her to a local publisher, which led to a magazine cover feature and a commission from a new collector. “None of that would’ve happened without being planted in my church community,” she reflects. Another divine connection came through a friend’s request for a Northern Lights-inspired series—a project that challenged Ana’s approach but led to stunning results and a reconnection in faith and friendship.

    Ana’s creative process is steeped in daily inspiration and spiritual sensitivity. She fills her studio with printed quotes, Scriptures, and podcast insights from The Thriving Christian Artist, and seeks the Holy Spirit’s guidance before beginning each series.

    “I’m always wondering, ‘What will He inspire me to create next?’”

    Her advice to fellow creatives is rooted in faith and diligence:
    🎨 “Be patient and stay encouraged. Network, take opportunities seriously, and do something every day to move forward in your calling. God blesses what you put your hands to—so make space for Him to move.”

    Today, Ana’s work is featured in galleries in Denver and Santa Fe, and she’s expanding her reach through juried exhibitions via platforms like CaFE.org. Her steady faith, vibrant voice, and daily obedience are turning her creative calling into a growing movement of color, energy, and worship.

    Ana Quintana is living proof that when you embrace the process, trust the timing, and surrender the outcome, God will do more than you ever imagined—one fluid masterpiece at a time.

    Ana Quintana_Fluid Art_Ice & Snow – No. 1 – 24 x 24
    Ana Quintana_Southwest Splendor_24 x 24
    Ana Quintana_Planetary Windstorm_24 x 24

    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.

  • Why Your Art Matters More Than You Think

    Why Your Art Matters More Than You Think

    ,

    ISSUE #014

    Have you ever wondered if your art really matters? If it’s just a hobby, something fun to do on the side—or if it actually has eternal significance?

    This week, I want to remind you that your art isn’t just a personal pastime; it’s a divine invitation. God planted creativity deep inside you as a reflection of His own heart, and when you create, you’re partnering with Him to release beauty, hope, and transformation into the world.

    In my new YouTube video, “Why Your Art Matters More Than You Think,” I explore this truth in depth. I believe it’s going to awaken something inside you and help you see your art through God’s eyes—full of purpose, power, and potential. May this week be filled with intentional reflection, creative breakthroughs, and meaningful connection with the Creator who put that beautiful imagination inside you.

    I’m cheering you on always!
    Matt Tommey

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    Scripture: Genesis 1:27 (NLT) — “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

    Devotional Thought:
    You were created in the image of a Creator. That’s not a coincidence; it’s a calling. Your creativity is a mirror reflecting His beauty and goodness to a world desperate for authentic hope. Whether you paint, sculpt, weave, or write—each brushstroke or word is an invitation for someone to encounter the heart of God.

    Prayer:
    Lord, thank You for making me in Your image and entrusting me with creative gifts. Help me to see my art as a holy calling and to use it to bring Your love and light into the world. Give me courage to share it boldly and faithfully. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

    Action Step:
    Take 10 minutes today to journal about how your art reflects God’s image and ask Him to reveal fresh ways to use it to bless others.

    CLARIFY

    This week, let’s get super clear: Your art is not an afterthought—it’s an assignment. If God has given you this gift, it deserves your time, focus, and energy. Think of your creative practice as a ministry to both your own soul and to others who will experience it.

    Reflect on what it would look like to honor your art as a divine calling. What small changes could you make this week to treat it with the importance it deserves? Maybe it’s scheduling studio time, investing in new materials, or simply sharing a piece online.

    Action Step:
    Write down one concrete way you’ll prioritize your art this week—and put it on your calendar today.

    CREATE

    When we step into the studio, we’re not just making “things.” We’re participating in God’s ongoing act of creation. Every moment you spend creating is an opportunity to cultivate intimacy with Him and let His Spirit flow through you.

    Colossians 3:23 reminds us, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” When you create, do it wholeheartedly, knowing you’re offering it as worship.

    Action Step:
    Set aside a focused block of time this week (even just an hour!) to create purely for the joy of it, inviting God into every brushstroke, stitch, or note.

    CULTIVATE

    Your audience isn’t just potential customers—they’re people who long to encounter hope and beauty. When you share your art, you’re opening a door for God to move in unexpected ways.

    Think about how you can invite people into your creative story this week. Maybe it’s a behind-the-scenes video, a personal post about what inspired your latest piece, or an in-person conversation at your church or local art fair.

    Action Step:
    Choose one piece of art and write a short story about its meaning or process. Share it on social media and invite your audience to respond.

    TECH TIP FOR THRIVING

    🎯 Pinterest: Your Visual Testimony Board
    Pinterest isn’t just a platform for recipes and home décor—it’s a powerful tool for artists! Create boards that share your creative journey, finished pieces, and process shots. Each pin becomes an opportunity for someone to discover your work and connect with the message behind it.

    Check out Pinterest for artists: https://business.pinterest.com

    INSPIRE

    At Waunakee High School in Wisconsin, many students thought 18-year-old Molly Schafer was a loner. But instead of withdrawing completely, Molly chose a surprising way to reconnect: she painted 44 stunning portraits of her classmates — spending over 600 hours in her garage loft to bring them to life.

    Her courageous gesture left her peers deeply moved and reflecting on the power of connection. Molly’s story reminds us that art can be a bridge to healing and unexpected friendship — if we’re willing to take the first step.

    Read the Full Story or watch below

    LISTEN

    Podcast Episode: Authentically Connecting on Social Media

    Gone are the days of just posting pretty pictures and waiting for sales. In 2025, it’s all about building authentic, heart-level connection. This week on the podcast, I’m sharing exactly what turns casual followers into passionate collectors — and spoiler alert: it’s not about algorithm hacks or perfect photos.

    We’ll unpack how to tell your story in a way that invites people into your world, use each social platform strategically (yes, even TikTok!), and make real invitations instead of surface-level announcements. Whether you’re on Facebook, Instagram, or anywhere else, this episode gives you practical steps to build a true community that loves your art and wants to support your journey.

    Key takeaway: When you lead with authenticity and connection, you don’t just gain followers — you build a family of collectors who believe in you.

    Listen Now

    WATCH

    “Canvas and Clay” by Pat Barrett
    This beautiful worship song captures the heart of being God’s artwork—shaped, molded, and refined by the Master Artist. Let it remind you that you are a masterpiece in progress and that your art can reflect His goodness no matter where you are on the journey.

    FEATURED ARTIST: Shana Grugan

    Layers of Beauty, Shadows of His Presence
    Website | Instagram

    For Shana Grugan, art isn’t just about what we see on the surface—it’s about uncovering the deep, unseen processes that reflect God’s presence and promises.

    Shana is an acrylic painter working on canvas, panel, and paper, inspired by the natural world, especially botanicals. But it’s not just the flowers and plants themselves that capture her imagination—it’s the story behind them. The seed buried underground, the rooting before sprouting, the play of light and shadows—all of it mirrors God’s ways in our lives.

    “My hope is that the final image of beauty beckons the viewer to lean closer to ponder the process beneath it,” she says.

    Her current body of work focuses on shadow shapes, each unique and fleeting—like a whispered promise from God that is here today and never the same again. This revelation began during a season of exhaustion when she noticed the dancing tree shadows on the pavement while taking her new puppy outside. Psalm 91:1 came alive: “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” It was a moment of profound rest and covering that forever marked her creative path.

    Through the Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program, Shana went from wrestling with doubt and the question, “Am I good enough?” to becoming fully persuaded by God’s promises over her life.

    “I now have a God-given vision as my roadmap for my life, creative work, and business,” she shares. “I’ve learned to apply ‘faithful with little, ruler of much,’ and as I take steps of faith, God shows up!”

    One beautiful example of this was a recent divine connection with an author of a Christian mini-book series. Years after praying with her at church, Shana was invited to create art for the book’s cover—a commission she would have previously shied away from. She stepped out in faith and was blessed to see God use her art to encourage and inspire others through the book’s message.

    At the heart of Shana’s life and practice is journaling the voice of God. This is not compartmentalized—it’s foundational to every part of her creative and spiritual life. She writes, listens, and co-creates with the Lord, uncovering layers of His goodness along the way.

    Her encouragement to fellow artists?
    “Remember God’s vision for your life. Make it real by imagining it, regularly. Then take the one step He shows you and say yes to the invitation. Be faithful and joyful in the journey.”

    Currently in a season of “simplifying” and “fertilizing,” Shana is focusing deeply on her most fruitful gallery relationships, intentional learning, and meeting consistently with an artist friend for encouragement and accountability.

    Through every layer, texture, and shadow, Shana Grugan invites us to look deeper—beyond the surface—to see the hidden beauty of God at work in every season.

    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.

  • Finding Your Unique Artistic Voice: The Essential Design Elements That Define Your Creative Identity

    Finding Your Unique Artistic Voice: The Essential Design Elements That Define Your Creative Identity

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    In a world saturated with creative content, developing a distinctive artistic voice isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. But here’s the thing: your unique voice isn’t some mystical quality that either strikes like lightning or remains forever elusive. It’s built through intentional design choices that become your creative DNA.

    Beyond the “Squishy and Ethereal”: Making Voice Tangible

    Too often, we talk about artistic voice in vague terms—”balance,” “harmony,” “style.” But these concepts only become powerful when we can identify the specific, replicable elements that create them. When you can look at ten pieces of your work lined up and see not only consistency within each piece but also consistency between pieces, that’s when you know you’re developing a true artistic voice.

    The Five Pillars of Distinctive Design

    1. Intentional Repetition: Your Visual Vocabulary

    Repetition isn’t about being boring—it’s about creating a visual language that speaks fluently about who you are as an artist. This means:

    • Consistent use of specific elements (textures, shapes, forms)
    • Repeated compositional approaches that feel natural to you
    • Signature techniques that appear across multiple works

    The key is making these repetitions feel organic, not forced. When elements naturally echo throughout your work, viewers begin to recognize your “handwriting” before they even see your signature.

    2. Cohesive Color Relationships: Your Emotional Palette

    Many distinctive artists work within deliberately limited color palettes. This isn’t a restriction—it’s a superpower. A cohesive color approach:

    • Creates immediate visual unity across your body of work
    • Allows you to master subtle variations within familiar territory
    • Builds emotional consistency that viewers can connect with
    • Makes your work instantly recognizable in any setting

    Consider how your color choices reflect your personality, your environment, or your emotional response to the world.

    3. Strategic Contrast: The Art of Visual Hierarchy

    Effective contrast isn’t just about light versus dark—it’s about creating intentional focal points that guide the viewer’s eye exactly where you want it to go. This includes:

    • Value contrast (light against dark)
    • Textural contrast (smooth against rough)
    • Scale contrast (large elements supporting smaller details)
    • Conceptual contrast (simple backgrounds supporting complex focal points)

    The magic happens when your contrast choices become predictable in the best way—viewers learn to trust that you’ll take them on a visual journey.

    4. Compositional Flow: Your Unique Movement Language

    Every artist develops a particular way of moving the eye through their work. This might be:

    • Circular movements that bring viewers back to center
    • Linear progressions that create narrative flow
    • Radial patterns that explode outward from focal points
    • Layered depths that invite extended exploration

    Your compositional preferences reveal how you see and experience the world—and become part of your artistic signature.

    5. Textural Consistency: The Physical Language of Your Materials

    Whether you work in paint, clay, fiber, or mixed media, you likely have instinctive preferences for:

    • Surface qualities (smooth, rough, layered, weathered)
    • Tool marks and application methods
    • Levels of detail versus simplicity
    • Ways of building up or carving away

    These physical choices become as distinctive as handwriting, creating tactile recognition even in photographs of your work.

    The Development Process: From Intuition to Intention

    Here’s what many artists don’t realize: you probably already have the beginnings of a unique voice—you just haven’t recognized and refined it yet. The development process involves:

    Step 1: Recognition Look at your last 10-20 pieces. What elements keep showing up? What color combinations do you gravitate toward? What compositional approaches feel most natural?

    Step 2: Intentional Repetition Once you identify your natural tendencies, begin using them more deliberately. If you naturally create circular compositions, explore that fully rather than fighting it.

    Step 3: Systematic Refinement Treat each new piece as an opportunity to refine your visual vocabulary. Ask: “How can this piece strengthen the consistent elements that make my work recognizable?”

    Beyond Copying: The Difference Between Influence and Imitation

    Developing your voice doesn’t mean working in isolation. The goal isn’t to create something never seen before—it’s to filter everything through your unique perspective and preferences. When you see work that resonates with you, ask:

    • What specific design elements create that effect?
    • How could I achieve something similar using my own visual vocabulary?
    • What would this approach look like filtered through my color preferences, my compositional style, my material choices?

    The Long Game: Building Recognition Over Time

    A distinctive artistic voice isn’t built overnight. It emerges through:

    • Consistent practice within your chosen parameters
    • Gradual refinement of your signature elements
    • Confident commitment to your natural preferences
    • Thoughtful evolution rather than constant reinvention

    Your Voice as Your Competitive Advantage

    In our connected world, technical skill alone isn’t enough. Viewers are drawn to work that feels authentic, consistent, and emotionally resonant. When your artistic voice is strong and clear:

    • Collectors know what to expect from you
    • Your work becomes more memorable and shareable
    • You can command higher prices for your unique perspective
    • You build genuine connection with your ideal audience

    The Permission to Be Yourself

    Perhaps the most important element of developing your artistic voice is giving yourself permission to embrace what comes naturally. Your voice isn’t hiding somewhere “out there”—it’s already emerging in the choices you make instinctively.

    The question isn’t “What should my artistic voice be?” It’s “What is my artistic voice trying to become, and how can I support that development?”

    Your artistic voice is your creative fingerprint—unique, valuable, and entirely yours. By paying attention to the specific design elements that feel most authentic to you and developing them with intention, you create work that doesn’t just look good—it looks unmistakably like you.

    Ready to Develop Your Voice AND Build a Thriving Art Business?

    Finding your artistic voice is just the beginning. What if you could also learn how to:

    • Turn your unique creative gifts into sustainable income
    • Build genuine relationships with collectors who love your work
    • Develop the business systems that support your art (without compromising your creativity)
    • Connect with other Kingdom artists who are serious about their calling
    • Get practical, proven strategies for commissions, galleries, and online sales

    The Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program provides the complete roadmap for artists who want to flourish both creatively and financially. You’ll get access to:

    • Step-by-step business training specifically designed for artists
    • A supportive community of like-minded creatives
    • Regular coaching calls and expert guidance
    • Proven systems for everything from pricing to client relationships
    • Resources for growing in your creative calling as an artist in the Kingdom

    This isn’t just about making money from your art—it’s about stewarding your gifts well and building the life and business that allows your creativity to thrive.

    Ready to take the next step in your artistic journey?

    Join the Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program and discover how to develop both your unique voice and a business that supports your creative calling.

    Your artistic voice is already emerging. Now let’s help you build a thriving art business around it.