ISSUE #016
One of the most incredible truths we can embrace as artists is that we were never designed to walk this journey alone. From the very beginning, God created us for connection—not just with Him, but with each other. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 reminds us, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” When we step into divine collaboration, we find strength, encouragement, and fresh vision we could never find in isolation.
This week, we’re diving deep into what it means to build meaningful connections and collaborations as artists. Whether it’s partnering on a project, joining a critique group, or simply sharing your heart with a fellow creative friend, these relationships are often the key to breakthrough. My prayer is that you’ll open your heart to the relationships God is bringing into your life—and that you’ll see how He wants to use them to multiply your impact and joy.
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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CONNECT
Scripture: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.” — Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NIV)
Have you ever noticed how much easier it is to keep going when someone is walking beside you? The Kingdom of God is all about community, and our creative lives are no exception. We are called to build each other up, encourage one another, and celebrate each other’s wins. As artists, we need people who will remind us of our identity in Christ and our creative calling when we lose sight of it.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for the gift of community. Help me to open my heart to the relationships You have prepared for me. Give me discernment to see the people You’ve placed in my life to help me grow creatively and spiritually. Teach me to encourage and lift others up as well. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Spiritual Action Step:
Take 10 minutes this week to pray specifically for the artists and creative friends in your life. Ask God to show you how you can encourage or support them in a tangible way.
CLARIFY
God’s plans for us often involve people—divine appointments that help clarify our vision and keep us moving forward. This week, consider how your relationships align with where God is leading you. Are there people you need to reach out to, collaborations you’ve been hesitant to start, or conversations you’ve been avoiding?
Reflect on how these partnerships could help you gain new perspective, push past creative roadblocks, and step into greater freedom. When we align our goals with God’s heart for connection, we move from striving alone to thriving together.
Reflection Prompt:
Which relationships in your life feel life-giving and aligned with your creative vision? Which ones need prayer, boundaries, or a renewed approach?
Action Step:
Make a list of 2–3 artists or creative friends you want to connect with this month. Reach out to set up a coffee, call, or creative hangout.
CREATE
Isolation can often make our art feel stagnant. Collaboration, however, can infuse new life into our creative practice. Whether it’s inviting another artist into your studio, sharing unfinished work for feedback, or even collaborating on a joint piece, these experiences stretch us and grow us in ways solo work never can.
Remember, God didn’t just call us to create; He called us to create in community. Just as iron sharpens iron, one artist can sharpen another. When you open yourself to this, you’ll find unexpected inspiration, encouragement, and practical insights that can propel your work forward.
Studio Action Step:
Invite a trusted artist friend to visit your studio (or do a virtual studio tour) this month. Share a piece you’re working on and ask for honest, grace-filled feedback.
CULTIVATE
Building a thriving art business isn’t just about sales—it’s about relationships. Every collector, gallery owner, or fellow artist is a potential partner in the story God is telling through your work. When you invest in authentic connections, you build trust and open doors to opportunities you may have never imagined.
This week, think about how you can move beyond surface-level interactions to deeper connections. Share more of your story online, comment meaningfully on a fellow artist’s post, or reach out to a past collector to thank them. Every genuine interaction plants seeds for future growth and impact.
Outreach Action Step:
Pick one person—an art collector, a gallery owner, or a supporter—and write them a heartfelt note or email expressing your gratitude and sharing an update on your creative journey.
TECH TIP FOR THRIVING
Platform: Canva
Canva is a fantastic tool that empowers you to create professional, branded designs without needing a graphic designer. From social media posts to price lists, Canva helps you present your work beautifully and consistently.
Tip:
This week, design a simple art price list in Canva. Include your name, contact information, and high-quality photos of your artwork. Save it as a PDF so you can easily share it with galleries, collectors, or post it online.
INSPIRE
Over in Beaumont, Texas, The Art Studio, Inc. (TASI) just wrapped up its Fourth Annual Gumbo Clayfest, and it’s seriously the kind of heartwarming story that reminds us why art matters. Despite tighter budgets from some usual sponsors, TASI brought together local and returning ceramicists—think Tom Belden, Chris Leonard, and Gary “Greeny” Greenberg—to celebrate clay. Dozens of potters led free public workshops, demoed wheel-throwing, and shared techniques. Kids, retirees, and everyone in between shaped bowls and mugs, learning that a lump of clay can become a vessel of connection.
What stands out is how this festival isn’t just about selling work—it’s about nurturing new talent and reinforcing community bonds. TASI’s director, Greg Busceme, stressed that art in gatherings like this gives people a safe space to express, process emotions, and find belonging. For us as Kingdom creatives, it’s a blueprint: hosting a simple, low-cost event can spark relationships, break down barriers, and invite folks into the joy of making.
Takeaway: Could you host a mini studio open-house or clay-play date? Even something as casual as a “mud and mingle” afternoon can open doors for conversations about your art, your faith, and the stories we shape together.
WORSHIP
This powerful worship song invites us to surrender and say “yes” to Jesus in every area of our lives. As you listen, let it be a personal moment of consecration and a reminder that your creative journey begins and thrives in His presence.
LISTEN
Podcast Episode: Unlocking Creative Partnerships
Creative breakthrough isn’t just about what happens in your studio—it’s about the people who surround you on the journey. In this week’s episode, we explore the power of creative partnerships and why stepping out of isolation can be the key to unlocking your next level of growth.
You’ll hear practical strategies and personal stories of artists who have stepped into collaborations and seen their work—and their spiritual lives—transform. If you’ve been trying to do it all alone, this episode is your invitation to embrace the gift of community and discover what God can do when you join forces with others.
Key Takeaway:
Breakthrough often comes not from grinding harder alone but from opening your life to the creative connections God has prepared for you.
WATCH
Sometimes as artists, we overthink everything—analyzing, striving, and trying to control every detail. But what if the breakthrough you’ve been longing for is on the other side of a simple, wholehearted “yes” to God’s creative plan?
In this video, I share my personal story of moving from shame and striving to radical surrender, which opened the door to supernatural provision and influence far beyond what I could have imagined.
What God did for me, He wants to do for you—and even greater. It starts with your yes. Be sure to watch and leave me a comment!
FEATURED ARTIST: Amber Ratliff
Whimsy, Color, and Co-Creating with the Holy Spirit
📍 Website | 📱 Instagram
For Amber Ratliff, painting is so much more than mixing colors—it’s a sacred partnership with the Holy Spirit. Her vibrant, whimsical acrylic works overflow with joyful color, layered patterns, and hidden words of Scripture woven throughout, both visible and unseen. Each piece is an atmosphere-shifting invitation to encounter God’s heart.
Amber’s artistic journey took a transformative turn after attending the Gathering of Artisans in 2022.
“I had no idea what to expect,” she recalls. “But I was blown away by the Holy Spirit’s presence, the excellence, and the depth of connection with other artists. My art has never been the same since I learned to invite the Holy Spirit into the process.”
Workshops with mentors like Aeron & Tracy Brown, Amy Smith, and Sandy Hall taught her to ask God what He wants to release in each piece, embrace mystery and imperfection, and create as an act of worship rather than striving.
“Before GOA, I didn’t really consult God unless it was to ask Him to bless the piece. Now, it feels like a true partnership—obedience, worship, and a joy-filled connection,” she shares.
A powerful testimony of this transformation came when Amber was working at a local gallery with her painting “Secret Place”. A guest came in, overwhelmed, and was drawn directly to her piece by the Holy Spirit. He shared how deeply it ministered to him, even falling to his knees in the gallery to weep and pray. In a moment that could only be orchestrated by God, he asked Amber to pray for him, affirming that her art was not just decoration—it was ministry.
“I felt God remind me loudly, ‘It’s not about you!’ That encounter changed everything,” Amber recalls. “Selling the piece wasn’t the point—God was using it to accomplish His purposes.”
As a full-time homeschool mom and co-op teacher, Amber’s creative time is precious and limited. She commits each window of time to God, asking Him to multiply it and to guide every detail.
“It’s all about inviting Him in and remembering: it’s not about me. The pressure is off.”
Her encouragement to other artists?
🎨 “Take time to invite the Holy Spirit into every session—it’s a game changer! And remember: it’s not about you. Just be obedient and trust Him.”
Amber’s art is now shown regularly in a local gallery, and she connects monthly with a group of local Christian artists for prayer, critique, and fellowship—a lifeline of community and growth.
Through every playful shape, vibrant layer, and hidden Scripture, Amber Ratliff’s work radiates the joy and freedom of co-creating with God—an open invitation to encounter His love and creativity in living color.
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
This Issue Sponsored By The Created to Thrive Foundations Course
Are you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of how to step fully into your creative calling? Maybe you’ve been waiting for the “perfect moment” to start—but let me tell you, there’s no better time than right now to take that first step.
The Created to Thrive Foundations Course is your roadmap to transformation—spiritually, creatively, and professionally. Through powerful teachings, practical strategies, and faith-filled encouragement, you’ll learn how to overcome fear, break free from limiting mindsets, and align your creative life with God’s divine design for you.
I’ve seen hundreds of artists move from confusion and frustration to clarity and freedom by diving into these foundational truths—and I know you can too.
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.
