• Discovering Your Artistic Strengths

    ISSUE #026

    One of the greatest joys of being an artist is discovering the unique ways God has wired you to see, interpret, and create. Romans 12:6 reminds us that “In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well.” That includes the gift of creativity. You don’t have to be like anyone else, and you don’t have to compare your journey with another’s. The way you create, the materials you love, and the stories you tell through your art are all intentional expressions of His design in you.

    When you begin to embrace the strengths He’s placed inside of you, your creativity becomes more than just self-expression—it becomes Kingdom expression. My encouragement for you this week is to lean into the beauty of what makes your art distinct. Explore, experiment, and trust that the Holy Spirit is guiding you not only in your spiritual walk but also in your creative journey.

    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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    Meet Muriel Luedeman…

    In our Featured Artist section this week, meet a former Hallmark artist who opened her studio at 72 and discovered a second voice in Holy-Spirit-led abstracts. Her realism makes you linger; her abstracts make you worship. Come see how daily faithfulness turned into JOY and FREEDOM in the studio.

    CONNECT

    Scripture: “In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well.” — Romans 12:6 (NLT)

    God has uniquely gifted you as an artist. Your strengths aren’t random—they’re fingerprints of His creative DNA in your life. As you grow in intimacy with Him, He’ll reveal not only what you can do but also why it matters.

    Prayer:
    Father, thank You for the unique creative strengths You’ve placed in me. Help me stop comparing myself to others and instead walk boldly in the gifts You’ve entrusted to me. Teach me to use my art as a reflection of Your grace and beauty in the world. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

    Action Step: Write down three artistic strengths you recognize in yourself this week, and thank God for each one.


    CLARIFY

    Sometimes the hardest part of moving forward is simply recognizing where your strengths lie. When you focus on the gifts God has placed inside you, clarity begins to emerge about where to invest your time and energy. Ask the Lord: “What part of my creativity do You want me to lean into this week?”

    Action Step: Take 15 minutes to prayerfully list out your top three creative goals for this season. Circle the one that most aligns with your strengths, and commit to pursuing it intentionally this week.


    CREATE

    When you know your strengths, you can create with freedom instead of striving. For example, if you excel at color, lean into bold palettes. If your strength is storytelling, craft collections that weave a narrative. Whatever your gift, celebrate it in the studio this week.

    Action Step: Set aside one hour this week to create a piece of art that highlights one of your strongest artistic abilities. Don’t overthink it—just create as an act of worship and gratitude.


    CULTIVATE

    Your artistic strengths are not just for you—they’re a gift to others. When you share your work from a place of confidence in what God has given you, people are drawn to the authenticity and joy that radiates through your art. That’s how connection grows, both spiritually and in business.

    Action Step: Share one piece of art on social media this week with a short caption explaining the specific strength God has given you that shines through in that piece. Watch how it resonates with your audience.

    Are you loving this Core4 rhythm every week? Get the Core4 Focus Planner and let it help you create a daily rhythm of living and creating with God.

    This issue SPONSORED BY

    Discover your unique artistic voice and grow in faith, business, and community through the Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program—your step-by-step path to thriving as the artist God made you to be.
    👉 Learn More Here

    WATCH & LISTEN

    In this episode of the Thriving Christian Artist Podcast, Matt Tommey unpacks how to:

    ✅ Recognize the whisper of your creative soul

    ✅ Decode your unique artistic DNA

    ✅ Cultivate your God-given gifts over time

    ✅ Share your art to create a ripple effect of impact

    Whether you’re just starting out or have been creating for years, this message will help you uncover your artistic superpower—not in a single moment, but through a faithful, ongoing journey with God.

    LISTEN ON APPLEPODCAST

    LISTEN ON SPOTIFY

    And in this powerful episode of The Thriving Christian Artist Podcast, I sit down with long-time friends Stephen and Tricia Preston, a creative couple whose lives are a beautiful example of artistry, ministry, and Kingdom impact working hand-in-hand. From running multiple creative ventures to hosting a thriving conference for artists in their church community, the Prestons have spent decades inspiring and equipping others to step boldly into their God-given creativity.


    TECH TIP FOR THRIVING

    Pinterest isn’t just a place for recipes and DIY projects—it’s a powerful visual platform where creative buyers and collectors are already looking for inspiration. By creating curated boards, you can collect ideas that spark your creativity and showcase your own work in a visual way that builds trust with potential buyers.

    Pro Tip: Start a board called “Art Inspiration” and pin 10 images that reflect your style or inspire you. Then, add at least 3 of your own pieces to that board. This helps position you not just as an artist but as a curator of beauty.

    👉 Explore Pinterest here: https://pinterest.com


    WORSHIP

    This week, as we focus on Discovering Your Artistic Strengths (Romans 12:6), Pat Barrett’s powerful worship song Canvas and Clay reminds us that we are God’s masterpiece, shaped by His hands and designed with intention. Just like a potter molds clay or an artist paints on canvas, the Lord has given each of us unique gifts for His glory.

    Let this song encourage you to rest in the truth that He never makes mistakes. Every stroke of His brush and every detail of your design carries purpose. As artists and creatives, we can find fresh confidence in knowing our identity and strengths are formed by the Creator Himself.

    👉 Listen, worship, and be reminded: You are beautifully and wonderfully made in Christ.



    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.

  • When Heaven Meets Earth: The Hidden Power of Your Art

    Issue #013

    What if I told you that your art—yes, the piece sitting half-finished on your studio table—was never meant to stay confined to your space?

    What if, when it leaves your hands, something eternal begins to unfold? That’s the kind of power we’re talking about this week. In Matthew 5:14–16, Jesus reminds us that we’re not just artists—we’re light-bearers. And when our creativity is rooted in connection with Him, it becomes a spiritual force that shifts atmospheres and opens hearts.

    You see, when heaven meets earth through your art, it’s not just about sales or social likes. It’s about obedience, presence, and impact. Your artwork, created in intimacy with the Holy Spirit, carries something eternal. You may never see all the lives your brushstrokes touch, but God does—and He uses every act of faith-filled creativity to plant seeds of truth, beauty, and restoration in the hearts of those who need it most.

    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

    Click the button to subscribe for free to The Weekly and get an email reminder every Wednesday so you never miss an issue. 


    CONNECT

    You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
    — Matthew 5:14,16 (NLT)

    As artists, our instinct can sometimes be to retreat, to keep our creative expressions private or hidden. But Jesus calls us to something greater—to shine for His glory. Your art is not only a gift to you but a vessel through you for others to experience beauty, truth, and hope. When you share authentically from your heart, you’re revealing His nature.

    Prayer:
    Father, thank You for the creativity You’ve placed inside me. Help me not to hide my light but to share what You’ve given with boldness and joy. Let my art reflect Your love and goodness to the world around me. Teach me to trust You with every stroke and step.
    In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

    Spiritual Step:
    Ask the Holy Spirit to highlight one person this week who needs to see your art. Then share it with them as an intentional act of encouragement.


    CLARIFY

    This week, let’s get really clear: your art isn’t just for you—it’s a message, a ministry, and a mirror of God’s glory in your life. But if you’re not sharing it, it can’t do the work it was meant to do. Sometimes we get stuck thinking it has to be perfect or profound, but what really moves people is honesty and heart. Are you sharing from that space?

    Reflection Prompt:
    What’s one story behind your art that someone else needs to hear this week?

    Action Step:
    Choose one piece of your art and write a short description about its meaning. Post it online, email it to a friend, or print it out with a note. Let your work speak from your heart.


    CREATE

    Great art flows from deep connection. When your heart is full and your focus is clear, the creative process becomes not just productive—but prophetic. Sharing from the heart requires that we stay present in the studio, not distracted by trends or chasing perfection, but tuned in to what God is doing in and through us.

    Studio Action Step:
    Set aside one studio session this week to create without any agenda—no sales, no shows, no pressure. Just you, God, and the canvas. Let your spirit lead and see what pours out.


    CULTIVATE

    Marketing can feel impersonal when we forget the “why” behind it. But sharing your art from the heart is the most authentic marketing you can do. People connect with your story far more than just a product. When you let them in on the meaning behind the work, you invite them into a relationship—not just a transaction.

    Outreach Idea:
    Write a short behind-the-scenes story about one piece of your art and post it on your social media with a clear invitation: “If this speaks to you, I’d love to hear your story too.”


    TECH TIP FOR THRIVING

    Platform: Pinterest
    Visit Pinterest →

    Pinterest is a powerful tool for visually-inclined buyers and collectors—and it’s not just for recipes and mood boards! As a visual artist, you can use Pinterest as a living portfolio that attracts people who are searching for exactly what you create.

    Try This:
    Create a board titled “My Art” and begin pinning images of your work. Include your process, finished pieces, and even inspiration boards. Use keywords in your pin titles and descriptions to help collectors find you more easily.


    INSPIRE

    Colors of Community: Silver City’s 62-Foot Mural Unveiling
    A heartwarming mural in Silver City, Nevada, reminds us that art has the power to connect across generations and backgrounds. Led by Tridentata Arts, this 62-foot collaborative piece brought together over 35 community members to paint their town’s story—from historic landmarks to family picnics and riverside memories. Local churches donated supplies, students mixed paint, and elders shared tales that shaped the design.

    As Christian artists, let’s remember that our work doesn’t just live in frames—it lives in hearts. Maybe this week is the perfect time to co-create something in your studio with a friend, neighbor, or even a stranger who could use a little hope.

    Read the full story


    LISTEN

    Podcast Title: When Heaven Meets Earth: The Hidden Power of Your Art

    The moment your art leaves your studio, something more than marketing happens—it becomes a vessel of light in a world that desperately needs it. In this week’s episode, we explore Matthew 5:14–16 and the powerful truth that Jesus wasn’t speaking metaphorically when He called us “the light of the world.” Your creativity, when offered in obedience and connection with the Holy Spirit, becomes a supernatural force for transformation.

    This isn’t about algorithms or aesthetics—it’s about presence. I’m sharing powerful stories of how spirit-led artists have witnessed their work become bridges to healing, hope, and revelation. When you create from a place of intimacy with God, your art naturally carries His presence—and that presence shifts things in the spiritual realm, often in ways you’ll never fully see on this side of eternity.

    Key Takeaway:
    Your art isn’t just a gift—it’s a calling. When you create and share from the heart, God uses it to create sacred intersections where heaven touches earth.

    Listen Now


    WATCH

    This modern worship anthem invites us to open the doors of our hearts and “let the light in.” It’s a beautiful reminder that what God shines into us, we’re meant to shine out into the world. Let it inspire you to be bold, transparent, and joyful as you create this week.


    FEATURED ARTIST: Beth Affolter

    Letting Go, Leaning In, and CoCreating with God
    📍 Website | 📱 Instagram

    For Beth Affolter, creating art isn’t just an activity—it’s a sacred collaboration. As a painter, teacher, and mentor, Beth has dedicated her life to helping others experience the joy of CoCreating with God—and she’s living proof that the creative journey can be one of both transformation and triumph.

    Beth works primarily in acrylic and oils, with a thriving business that includes live wedding paintings, art instruction, and spiritual mentoring. Her heart is to awaken creativity in others and help them recognize that artistic expression isn’t just a gift—it’s part of our divine DNA. “I believe creativity is in us all,” she says. “It’s inherited and deeply woven into who we are.”

    Her life changed dramatically after joining the Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program.

    “CTT completely lifted and changed my life. I let go of so many lies I’d been fostering and came into deeper intimacy with Christ. Now, I’m creating a beautiful business with God at the center—and it’s exactly where I’m supposed to be.”

    Beth spent years striving on her own, trying to make it all work through sheer effort. “I felt completely empty,” she admits. “But when I entered CTT, everything clicked. I realized it’s not about performance—it’s about the process, and glorifying Him through it.”

    That surrender has led to powerful moments, including one unforgettable piece she painted during a Bible study. Prompted by the Holy Spirit, she began adding textures and colors to worship music, not knowing where it would lead. The result? A piece that won first place in a state art show, brought light into a spiritually dark environment, and eventually brought a young woman to tears—leading her boyfriend to purchase it for her. “God showed up big time,” Beth says. “That piece was saturated with His presence.”

    Beth’s spiritual and creative rhythm is rooted in worship music, which she uses to enter into God’s presence before she paints. “I get lost in the music, then the worship, and then I am really connected to the work.”

    Her encouragement to fellow artists is heartfelt and hard-won:
    🎨 “Don’t give up—lean in closer to God. Not every piece will be a masterpiece, and that’s OK. It’s about the journey.”

    Now part of the Created to Thrive Mastery Program, Beth is learning to balance discipline with grace with personal one-on-one and small group artist mentoring led by Matt & Tanya Tommey. She’s spending more time in the studio, renewing her mind daily, and—perhaps most importantly—letting go of the need to prove herself. “I’m also looking at my numbers more intentionally and adjusting where needed. God is in the details, too.”

    Beth’s journey is a radiant example of what happens when we stop striving and start partnering—with the Holy Spirit, with the creative process, and with the purpose God has placed in us all.


    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.