ISSUE #033
Have you ever noticed the very first thing God chose to reveal about Himself in Scripture? Before Redeemer, before King, before Shepherd—He’s Creator. “In the beginning, God created…” (Genesis 1:1). The moment you start to see Him that way—as the ultimate Artist—everything shifts. Suddenly, your art, your story, your process, even your struggles, take on sacred meaning. You’re not just trying to make something beautiful—you’re participating in the divine rhythm of creation itself.
This week, I want to help you rediscover your art as an invitation to walk with the Artist Himself. You are the clay in His hands, His masterpiece in progress, and His chosen co-creator on the earth. When you create with Him, not just for Him, you start to live from a place of rest, partnership, and divine inspiration. And friend, that’s where everything begins to thrive.
In His love and creativity,
Matt Tommey
PS – Don’t miss all the great artist mentoring resources we have available for you. Click here to find out more.
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Painting God’s Glory
This week, meet Texas artist Phil Bob Borman, whose luminous skies and joyful spirit capture the wonder of God’s creation. From cowboy roots to Kingdom vision, Phil Bob paints as an act of worship—each cloud and color declaring the glory of the Creator. READ MORE
CONNECT
Scripture: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” — Genesis 1:1 (NIV)
Before anything else, God reveals Himself as an Artist. Every sunrise, every snowflake, every person is the overflow of His creative heart. And when you see Him that way, you begin to recognize that creativity isn’t optional—it’s the essence of His Kingdom. He still loves to create through you.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for showing Yourself as the ultimate Artist. Open my eyes to see Your fingerprints in my life and through my hands. Teach me to co-create with You—shaping beauty, revealing truth, and reflecting Your glory in the earth. Amen.
Action Step:
Before you begin your next creative session, pause and simply say, “Holy Spirit, let’s create together.” Then wait—listen—and let Him lead.
CLARIFY
You’re not random. You’re a divinely designed masterpiece in progress. The Potter is still shaping you, adding layers of color and texture through every season—joys, challenges, delays, and breakthroughs alike.
Take a few moments this week to reflect: What “layer” is God painting in your life right now? Is He refining patience, stirring courage, or inviting new freedom? Naming it helps you cooperate with His brushstrokes.
Action Step:
Write down one area where you sense God is currently forming something in you. Ask Him, “How can I agree with what You’re creating in me this week?”
CREATE
You were never meant to create for God in isolation, but with God in collaboration. As Ephesians 2:10 reminds us, you are His workmanship—literally His poem. Every time you paint, sculpt, stitch, compose, or build, you’re echoing the creative voice of Heaven.
Don’t overcomplicate it—simply start by inviting Him in. When you yield your process to His presence, your art becomes infused with eternal purpose.
Studio Action Step:
Before you pick up your brush or tool, ask the Lord, “What are You saying today through what I create?” Then create from that flow—not performance, but partnership.
CULTIVATE
Performance says, “I need to earn God’s approval.” Partnership says, “I’m already loved, so I can freely create.” The difference is everything. When you operate from God’s love, perfectionism loses its grip, and peace takes its place.
In the marketplace, this posture shows up as confidence and authenticity. Collectors, followers, and patrons are drawn to peace-filled artists who create with joy rather than striving.
Outreach Action Step:
This week, share one of your artworks on social media with a short reflection about how creating with God changes the way you work. Use your story to invite others into His love.
The Core4 Focus Planner™
A 90-Day Undated Planner to Help You Stay Focused, Grow Spiritually, and Make Measurable Progress in Your Art
“This planner is my “tool of intentionality” and sits next to my Bible and journal. It’s also the perfect size to hang on to as a way to go back and celebrate the work that I’ve done. Thanks so much!” – Debby
WATCH & LISTEN
In this week’s episode, I unpack what happens when you start seeing God as an Artist first—and how that revelation changes everything about your art, your story, and your relationship with Him. You’ll learn:
- Why Genesis 1:1 is the foundation for your creative calling
- How to recognize your life as God’s masterpiece in progress
- What it means to co-create with Him rather than perform for Him
- How to create from love, not striving
Listen now and rediscover the beauty of creating with the Creator Himself.
TECH TIP FOR THRIVING
If you’ve ever wished you could sit down with me and ask for specific mentoring—anytime, anywhere—that’s exactly why I created UncleMatt.ai.
Think of it as your personal creative companion that helps you integrate faith, art, and business all in one place. Whether you’re struggling to price your work, get clarity on your next step, or find spiritual encouragement, UncleMatt offers biblically grounded wisdom and practical guidance—instantly.
Pro Tip:
Try asking, “How can I invite the Holy Spirit into my creative process?” or “What does God’s Word say about creativity and calling?” You’ll be amazed how specific the insight can be.
👉 Visit UncleMatt.ai and start co-creating with confidence.
WORSHIP
This week’s worship song, “Canvas and Clay,” captures the essence of Genesis 1:1 and Isaiah 64:8—God as the ultimate Artist, and us as His masterpiece in progress. Every lyric echoes the truth that we are shaped, molded, and refined by His creative hand. When Pat Barrett sings, “You’re the artist and the potter, I’m the canvas and the clay,” it’s a reminder that nothing in our journey is wasted. The brushstrokes of joy, the colors of struggle, even the messy middle—all are part of the beauty He’s forming. As you listen, let this song draw you back to rest in His artistry and trust that the Creator who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.
FEATURED ARTIST: Phil Bob Borman
Painting Heaven’s Glory, One Cloud at a Time
For celebrated Western artist Phil Bob Borman, every brushstroke is a prayer, every canvas a conversation with the Creator. Known for his luminous cloudscapes and sweeping Texas vistas, Phil Bob’s work captures the vastness of heaven and the nearness of God—inviting viewers to look up, pause, and worship.
“I paint the glory of God,” he says with a grin. “When people see my skies, I want them to look beyond the canvas—to look toward Him.”
A native of north central Texas, Phil Bob knew he was born to create the moment he stayed up all night drawing at age fourteen. He went on to study at Sul Ross University in Alpine, Texas, graduating in 1986, and began his professional art career as both a painter and sculptor. Supporting himself as a cowboy on West Texas ranches, he learned early on that the land itself tells stories—stories he now shares through color, texture, and light.
A lifelong admirer of Will Rogers, Phil Bob describes art as “a visual language—like storytelling.”
“The content of the story is simply where you start,” he explains. “It’s how you tell it that brings the smile, creates the mood, and evokes emotion. When I look at a landscape, I want to communicate the spectacular vistas I see. In God’s creation, there is nothing mundane.”
In 1993, Phil Bob felt called into ministry and set art aside—until one day, he heard a still, small voice: “Start painting.”
“I said, ‘Okay,’” he laughs. “And that was that.”
Since then, he’s become one of the most respected artists in contemporary Western art, known for his signature skies that seem to radiate light from within. His work is both masterfully technical and profoundly spiritual—an intersection of craftsmanship and faith that reflects his life’s mission: to tell the story of what God has created through fine art, one piece at a time.
“The Holy Spirit is the best art director in the world,” he says. “When I paint, I ask Him to show me what He wants to say through color, light, and composition. Sometimes that means starting over. Sometimes it means stopping early. But when I’m obedient, there’s always life on the canvas.”
Whether painting in the studio or plein air on the open range, Phil Bob’s passion is clouds—those ever-changing expressions of God’s majesty across the sky.
“I’ve been painting clouds for twenty years,” he says, “and I haven’t even scratched the surface. Painting clouds is a passion—a way to illustrate the glory of God’s creation in every sky.”
Today, Phil Bob lives in Texas with his wife, Deanna, his beloved Aussie studio dog, Penni Pearl, and “ranch security,” a Texas Heeler named Gabriel Zane. True to his easygoing spirit, he sums up both his life and art with contagious joy:
“I’m a man who loves the Lord, people, and the arts. I smile more than some folks breathe.”
Listen to Phil Bob’s interview on The Thriving Christian Artist Podcast.
Apply to Be a Featured Artist
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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.