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.
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.
LISTEN / WATCH
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.
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.