The Transforming Power of Artist Mentoring: A Christian Perspective
Art has always been an integral part of human expression and has the ability to touch hearts, evoke emotions, and ignite imagination. For Christian artists, creating art is not merely a form of self-expression; it becomes an avenue to connect with God and fulfill their God-given purpose. In this article, we explore the profound benefits of mentoring for artists, specifically from a uniquely Christian perspective. We delve into how mentoring can impact an artist’s art, business, and spiritual life, highlighting the importance of community, self-discovery, and aligning one’s creative process with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We also encourage readers to consider joining the Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program, led by Matt Tommey, as a proven program specifically designed for Christian artists.
How Do I Find an Art Mentor?
The best way to find an art mentor is to determine what you’re looking for and then find someone excelling in that area. Is it a specific art technique, style or medium? Or are you wanting to learn the business and marketing side of growing your art business. For many artists, the spiritual component of their work and life is primary. Therefore, it’s really important to find an art mentor who you align with from a spiritual perspective. For artists looking for mentoring in art, business and life from a unqiuely Christian perspective, Created to Thrive Artist Mentorship Program continues to be the gold-standard around the world for artists in almost every creative medium. Also, consider relationship and personality connection. No matter how good someone is at what they do, unless there’s a connection, the artist mentoring relationship will not flourish long term.
What is the Purpose of Mentoring?Mentorship, in its essence, is a guiding relationship – a journey shared between someone who has walked the path before and someone who is navigating their way through it. In the context of Christian art, this relationship transcends the traditional boundaries of teaching technical skills or marketing strategies. It delves deeper into the heart of what it means to be both a creator and a believer.
- Spiritual and Artistic Alignment: The primary purpose of mentoring in this realm is to align one’s artistic journey with their spiritual walk. A mentor helps bridge the gap between faith and art, encouraging artists to see their work as a form of worship and a reflection of God’s creativity.
- Cultivating Growth: Beyond skill enhancement, a mentor nurtures growth – both personal and professional. This includes fostering confidence, developing a distinct artistic voice, and encouraging a deepening of faith as it intertwines with art.
What does an Art Mentor do?What then, does an art mentor do, particularly in the Christian art business space? The role is multifaceted, encompassing various aspects:
- Guiding Creative Expression: An art mentor guides artists in exploring and refining their creative expression. This involves not just technique and style, but also helping artists infuse their work with their spiritual insights and convictions.
- Business Acumen: In the art business, a mentor imparts knowledge on navigating the market, from pricing and selling art to leveraging online platforms and building a brand that resonates with one’s faith and artistic vision.
- Emotional and Spiritual Support: Perhaps the most crucial aspect is providing emotional and spiritual support. Artistic journeys can be laden with challenges – rejection, self-doubt, and creative blocks. A Christian art mentor offers a listening ear, prayerful support, and guidance rooted in faith.
- Community Building: Art mentors often foster community, connecting artists with peers who share similar values and visions. This sense of community is vital for encouragement, inspiration, and collective growth.
Increased Income through Mentoring
While artistic passion may drive Christian artists, financial stability is crucial for pursuing their craft without distractions. Mentoring offers invaluable guidance in developing a sustainable business mindset. In fact, the Small Business Administration (SBA) states that small businesses (including art business) who recieve mentoring or coaching have a 70% higher chance of surviving the critical first five years compared to those without mentoring support. That’s huge! By learning effective marketing strategies, pricing artwork appropriately, and honing negotiation skills, artists can enhance their income potential. The Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program provides insights into the business side of art, empowering artists to thrive financially and continue pursuing their creative calling.
Enhanced Spiritual Connection with God
For Christian artists, creating art is a spiritual journey where they seek to collaborate with the Divine Creator. Mentoring can deepen this connection by fostering an understanding of the Holy Spirit’s role in the artistic process. Through mentoring, artists can learn to discern and follow God’s voice, inviting the Holy Spirit to guide their creativity. This partnership enables artists to tap into a wellspring of inspiration and bring forth work that resonates on a spiritual level. By embracing the spiritual aspect of their art, Christian artists can experience a profound sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Community with Other Artists
The journey of an artist can sometimes be isolating, filled with self-doubt and uncertainty. Mentoring programs provide a supportive community of like-minded artists who understand the challenges and triumphs of the creative process. This sense of community fosters collaboration, encouragement, and shared wisdom, creating a fertile ground for personal and artistic growth. Christian artists, in particular, can find solace and inspiration in connecting with others who share their faith, strengthening their resolve to fulfill their God-given calling.
Uncovering Your Unique God-Given Artistic Voice
One of the most significant challenges for artists is finding their distinctive artistic voice, the expression of their unique God-given talents and perspective. Mentoring offers guidance and encouragement in this journey of self-discovery. By receiving feedback, exploring different techniques, and experimenting with various mediums, artists can unlock their artistic potential and develop a style that is true to themselves and resonates with others. Mentors provide invaluable insights and perspective, helping artists navigate their creative journey with confidence and authenticity.
Fulfilling God’s Design as Artists
Artists often grapple with feelings of inadequacy and the fear of not living up to their potential. Mentoring can help dispel these doubts and empower artists to embrace their calling with conviction. Through a Christian mentoring program like Created to Thrive, artists are encouraged to align their creative process with their faith, recognizing that their art has a purpose in God’s greater plan. This alignment fosters a sense of fulfillment, allowing artists to overcome self-imposed limitations and embrace their role as conduits of God’s creativity.
Healing the Hearts of Artists
Another crucial aspect of mentoring for Christian artists is the opportunity to heal the wounds of the past and cultivate a healthy Christ-centered mindset. Artists, like anyone else, can carry emotional baggage from past experiences, which can hinder their creative expression and overall well-being. The Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program recognizes the importance of addressing these wounds and offers a safe space for artists to embark on a healing journey.
Through the mentoring program, artists are encouraged to explore and confront past traumas, disappointments, and negative beliefs that may have hindered their artistic growth. With the guidance of experienced mentors, artists can navigate the path of emotional healing, using their art as a vehicle for restoration and transformation. The program provides tools and resources to help artists overcome self-doubt, fear, and limiting beliefs, enabling them to embrace a healthy Christ-centered mindset.
By addressing the wounds of the past and adopting a Christ-centered mindset, artists can experience a profound freedom and release from the burdens that may have held them back. They can tap into their creativity with renewed passion and authenticity, unencumbered by the weight of past hurts. Moreover, the mentoring program provides a supportive community where artists can find encouragement, understanding, and accountability as they walk this healing journey.
In the Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program, Christian artists are not only equipped with practical tools and strategies but also guided towards a holistic transformation of their heart, mind, and spirit. The program fosters an environment of grace, compassion, and love, where artists can experience healing, growth, and restoration through their artistic journey.
Ultimately, by addressing the wounds of the past and cultivating a healthy Christ-centered mindset, artists can walk in a newfound freedom, joy, and confidence. They can fully embrace their identity as artists created in the image of God, knowing that their artistic expression is a powerful tool for both personal healing and inspiring others. The Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program serves as a catalyst for this transformative process, offering guidance, support, and a Christ-centered framework that nurtures the artist’s journey toward wholeness and purpose.
Conclusion
Artist mentoring holds immeasurable benefits for artists, and when viewed through a Christian lens, the transformative power becomes even more profound. Through mentoring, artists can enhance their income, deepen their spiritual connection with God, find solace in a supportive community, uncover their unique artistic voice, finding healing for their heart and embrace their God-given purpose. The Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program, led by Matt Tommey, stands as a proven platform since 2017 for Christian artists seeking holistic growth and development. By joining this program, artists can embark on a journey of discovery, realizing their artistic potential while staying rooted in their faith and fulfilling their God-given design as artists.
What Artists Are Saying About Created to Thrive…
“I just have to say it is the BEST investment I’ve made in my career as an artist! He covers all the bases; business, mindset+spiritual, and creativity.
If you are ready to stop making excuses and get to work on stepping fully into the artist God created you to be, you need to go sign up! ?” Paulette Insall, Artist
“I had no clue joining Created to Thrive required tearing down invisible walls I thought were torn down already. I read “Unlocking the Heart of The Artist” 1 1/2 yrs. ago & taught a
prophetic painting class who also read it… When I joined this group, I had been sick for almost 2 mos. I felt God’s healing river flowing & began to feel improved – now I’m well. I do believe God’s healing river through your ministry will also bring increased wholeness. Appropriating what I know He’s already done…” Mary Edwards, artist
“Being a part of the Created to Thrive group has enabled me to gain wisdom and insight about the process of making and selling art that I’ve been unable to access on my own because of my limited experience.
Matt acknowledges that success is different for each person and doesn’t force a one-dimensional agenda. He’s also very generous with practical information and I’m learning that my spiritual and artistic growth are completely connected and should develop accordingly to experience true peace in my process.” Jill Williams, artist
“Created to Thrive is already exceeding my expectations in terms of the amount of mentoring Matt Tommey is providing! There is a wealth of information available to us.
His approach is for the artist as a whole. The community offers varied talent, experience and support . I’m extremely blessed to be a part of it.” Yvonne Palmer, artist
“Thanks to the Created to Thrive Mentoring group I’m prioritizing time with God and am intentional about painting in my studio every day! Because of Matt’s weekly mentoring, I’m gaining a new mindset about my identity and God’s plans for me to succeed.
It’s a place where I feel at home- belonging to a community of new creative friends that shares honestly and supports one another on our journeys.” Beth McCash, artist
“After releasing three albums independently, I hit a dark valley of depression with my music that didn’t lift for four years. Nothing seemed to help. I tried self-motivation, goal setting,
counseling and even deliverance sessions. Since I have joined Matt Tommey’s mentoring group, I have seen marked change in a matter of weeks. The Truth that Matt speaks is setting me free — Jesus is setting me free.” Gabe Gibitz, musician
“Matt Tommey is a successful artist whose love of the Lord is deep and intimate. That relationship informs every part of his life. He is sharing what he’s learned on his spiritual
journey, as it pertains to thriving and prospering as an artist. I highly recommend that any Christian who has been called to the arts, and desires to flourish in them, work with Matt and see the difference it will make in their lives.” Judy Goddard, artist
“Created to Thrive Mentoring group has been solid, spirit-led teaching about thriving as a Christian artist. Matt’s commitment and support to this group has been inspiring and very encouraging.
There are artists at all levels of their journey and situation and he has adapted the content to this broad group by asking for feedback and questions that he can cover after his main teaching for that week. I highly recommend this group.” Wendy Marett, Artist and Teacher
“Being a part of the Created to Thrive group has been a huge benefit to me in my art practice and business. Matt’s mentoring has encouraged me to be confident in doing the work I am called to do. I have also been able to
really narrow my focus and begin to to formulate and work a plan to take my art business to the next level. I am taking myself and my art so much more seriously now. I know my work is good, I know what I am capable of and I am going for it. Thanks Matt for your clear direction that has helped make this possible!” Amy Kane Smith, Artist
“This group is a blessing on so many levels. Matt shares his business savvy and insight on creating with The Creator, while we are growing into a community
of artists encouraging one another to strive for excellence. I’m so glad to be a part of it!” Robin Popp, artist
“I highly recommend the “Created to Thrive” mentoring group. It helps you to stay connected to other artists who also desire to be skilled and filled. Matt Tommey jam packs the group with vital information to help you truly
thrive in your creative bend. You will learn goal setting, how to sell, and you are also challenged to hear how God created you to flow in your giftings. You will be encouraged to get rid of old patterns and embrace the new.” Marilee Gazelka, artist & teacher
“The Created to Thrive Experience has opened up a whole world of possibilities I didn’t see before in my craft. I have gained a wealth of information about myself, the Father, and the art world from
being part of this community. I would recommend it to anyone.” Jennifer Spangler, artist
“My first Mastermind group call was this past Thursday… it was amazing! God was showing me the vital importance and blessing of community. Your mentoring group is the first real community I’ve
experienced Matt. I’m deeply humbled by it and realize the incredible amount of love and work you put into it.” Toni Wesner, Artist
“I am thrilled to have found your program. I’m in a marketing group already which has been helpful. But listening to your integration of faith, art practice and art business is EXACTLY what I’ve experienced and have been journaling about for the last year by myself. I love the idea of support and the teaching in that context.“
Mandy, Created to Thrive Member
This Could Be Your Breakthough Year…
NOTE: The author generated this text in part with GPT-3, OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model. Upon generating draft language, the author reviewed, edited, and revised the language to their own liking and takes ultimate responsibility for the content of this publication. This information is to be used at your own risk and in conjunction with good business practices and professional help as needed.