The Thriving Christian Artist

When I wove my first basket, I literally went “by the book.” I used the same materials, the same weaving technique, and came out with the same basket as a result.  Since it was my first experience with weaving, that feeling that I’d done it properly was key to me creating my next basket, and my next.  And I’ve never stopped

NFTs. Bitcoin. Crypto. Blockchain. The Metaverse.  You can barely turn on the news or look at social media without running across one of these terms, and if you’re like me, you have more questions than answers.

It all started with a book called “Willow Basketry” that I got from the University of Georgia bookstore where I worked.In fact, I didn’t really think of myself as an artist then - I’d spent more time creating and performing music, not art.But something about that book caught my eye.  I’d never woven anything before, but I was willing to give it a try. And I had acres of kudzu vine behind my apartment. It was destiny! (Ah, the boldness of youth…).  Looking back, I’m thankful that I found that book…and that I was willing to take a risk on making baskets, even though I wasn’t very good at the beginning.  That decision (and that book) changed everything for me.But I see so many emerging artists who are so fearful of “doing it wrong” that they struggle to try something new, worried that their worth as an artist is tied to the outcome of their efforts.In this episode of 5-Minute Mentoring, we’re talking about how the constant need for permission can actually paralyze you and stunt your development as an artist…and

For kids, having fun is usually #1 on their daily agenda.  But as we become adults, “having fun” is often replaced with going to work, paying bills, dealing with the broken washing machine, and other boring “grown-up” stuff.But why?  It doesn’t have to be this way!  We adults deserve to have fun, too!And my friends Stephen and Tricia Preston are two adults who know how to have fun - and to create fun for everyone!The truth is, fun and creativity are a powerful way to build relationships, connect with others, experience joy, and heal our hearts.Stephen and Tricia are amazing artists, musicians, illustrators, painters, environment creators, YWAMers, pastors, and just really all-around incredible people who see creativity as not only a gift from the Lord but an opportunity to create with Him and spread His glory!So come have some fun with this episode of the Thriving Christian Artist podcast with my guests, Stephen and Tricia Preston!Learn more about the Prestons at the links below:Website: https://www.funtastic

Do you get excited about the promise and potential of the new year?  Does the smell of a new planner bring you joy?  Do you make your big goals, write them on your calendar, and dream of how amazing your life will be once you’ve accomplished those goals?I’m all about dreaming big…but I’m not all about idealizing or romanticizing a dream that is so big that it’s not actually attainable. That just sets you up for failure right out of the gate.  Remember the wise words of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry:  “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”Instead, I’m a big fan of setting 90-day goals with intention and with specific action steps.   It’s so much fun to see our Created to Thrive students go from feeling overwhelmed by what God’s vision is for them to feeling confident they have a solid plan, some milestone dates, and the support of our community to get it done!Plus, once you cross those first few steps off your to-do list, the snowball starts rolling down the hill and gaining momentum!  Look out, world - here you c

In our recent chat, Ray Hughes said something that struck me almost speechless:“Why does something have to ‘be’ something before it becomes something else?”Ray was speaking in particular about the words and impressions that he captures in his leather journal as he goes throughout his day, snapshots of a landscape, a stranger, a feeling he experiences.Maybe those words will turn into a song.  Maybe they’ll evolve into a poem.  Or maybe they’ll just be…without becoming something else.  But the important part is that they’re allowed to be in the first place.When you sit down to create, do you have the end in mind?  Do you think about the result you want to achieve, or do you let the paints, clay, words, or music become what they are meant to be?For this episode of the Thriving Christian Artist podcast, I’m back with the second half of my interview of the delightful, inspirational Ray Hughes! If you missed Part 1 of our discussion, catch it here!https://youtu.be/H-IwWzFGHHMLearn more about Ray and his work on his

I know sometimes that we creatives can be a little resistant to routines.  We’re free spirits!  We let inspiration guide us!  But over the years, I have realized that having a morning routine spending time with God gives me the time and focus I need to get ready for my day in a way that brings glory to Him.Now, there are lots of gurus who will tell you that they have found the perfect morning routine, that their way is the right way, the only way…but I don't believe that’s true.  There is no perfect morning routine for everyone…but with some trial-and-error, you can find the morning routine that’s perfect for you!In this episode of 5-Minute Mentoring, I’ll take you through my morning routine and tell you how I use that dedicated time to invite the Holy Spirit into my day so I can remain focused on Him throughout the day.   I hope it speaks to you and inspires you to bring the Lord into your own morning routine this year!I believe that having the right morning routine is key to thriving as a Christian art

Do you want to have impact…or do you want to have influence?I spent some time recently with one of my spiritual fathers, Ray Hughes, as we recorded this two-part podcast for you (Part 2 is coming next week!)I’m still personally processing the deep things from that rich conversation, but two words stick out to me… impact vs influence. Ray talked about these two words like musical forces: impact is percussive and in the moment like a rock dropped in the water, while influence is fluid and like a river that flows over a rock for 500 years, it shapes and forms all within its path. Life is full of moments of impact. And that’s great - I want to have an impact in my generation. But more and more, I pray for a life of influence… a legacy that lasts. A legacy in the Spirit that points people to the goodness of God and all that’s possible in Him. “And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands.” Psalm 90:17Keep an ear out for Part 2 o

I come from a long line of fishermen.  As a kid, I spent hours out on the lake with a fishing pole in my hand, learning life’s lessons (and how to tell a great “fish tale!”).When you’re fishing with just one pole, you can only catch one fish at a time, right?  If you want more fish, you have to use a different tool - like a trotline, a fish trap, or even a fish wheel.  The tool you use has a direct impact on the results you get.Building your art business is a lot like fishing.  Maybe you only need one fish at a time - then a cane pole may suit you just fine.  And that’s great!  But if you want to grow, you need the right tools and systems in place to support you so you can create and serve without working yourself into exhaustion. In this episode of 5-Minute Mentoring, I’m sharing a training that I did for the members of the Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program in which I talk about how establishing the right systems can give you the freedom to spend your time creating and doing what you love most.Want

They say that loose lips sink ships…and so does my guest and new friend Fred Koehler!(Okay, so he’s only sunk one ship - his brother’s boat - but wait until you hear the story!

Have you ever walked into an unfamiliar room and felt like everyone was talking about you?Ugh…so uncomfortable, right?But what if, instead of assuming they were saying bad things about you, you assumed they were singing your praises?Would that change the way you carried yourself, how you walked, and how you interacted with those people?The same applies for the idea of inviting the Holy Spirit into your creative process.  Scripture tells us that He’s with us and within us always…yet the act of consciously “inviting” Him in suggests that we’re assuming that He wasn’t there in the first place!In this episode of 5-Minute Mentoring, we’re talking about how assuming the Lord’s presence can change everything for us and our art!And when you’re ready to stop striving and start thriving, here are 4 ways I can help:  1️⃣ Get my FREE Guide, “5 Biggest Misconceptions About Prophetic Art”Wondering how to create your art with God or what prophetic art is all about?  Grab my free guide and make sure you’re not stuck in any o

“What kind of tree are you?”  This was the question that Tina Honerkamp’s husband, Nick, asked her when she told him that she had received a prophetic download from the Lord that she was “a tree bearing both fruit and flower.”This was also the question that started Tina on a journey of faith, self-discovery, and healing.   At the time, Tina was searching for her own identity in the Lord outside of her role as a mom and pastor’s wife…for her own special calling that He had just for her.  As she began to lean into the Lord’s plan for her, Tina captured the world around her - the wildlife and botanicals found in her native Western North Carolina.  And when she did, the Lord opened exactly the doors she needed to grow in her art and her business - and to share the beauty of His creation with the world through her art.Tina is one of my all-time favorite artists, and I’m excited to introduce you to her and her story on this episode of the Thriving Christian Artist Podcast!You can follow Tina and learn more about he

Do you ever get stuck in analysis paralysis?It’s so easy to be overwhelmed with possibilities and options that we creatives tend to overthink the answers to the swarm of questions buzzing in your head.When it comes right down to it, though, I've found that there are really two kinds of questions:  purpose questions and process questions.  Recognizing the difference between the two can reframe the situation and create clarity and breakthrough in your art career.On this week’s episode of 5-Minute Mentoring, we're talking about how to distinguish between purpose questions and process questions.  We're also breaking down how to get past analysis paralysis when you're feeling stuck on a difficult question.Finding clarity around your purpose and your process is essential to thriving as a Christian artist.  If you’re struggling to find that clarity, check out my new free guide!  Download it by clicking the link below!The 3 Biggest Misconceptions to Thriving as a Christian Artisthttps://thrive.mat

Whether you’re at church, a party, or on an airplane, small talk often starts with the simple question, “So what do you do?”  If you struggle to answer this question with, “I’m an artist,” just know that the struggle is real.  Between the reality of repeated rejection and the tenuous track of securing a spot in tenured teaching, a full-time art career has a reputation as a really risky business.Around here we don’t shy away from the realities of a career as a thriving Christian artist - so get ready for real talk on what it really takes to make a real living in the fine arts with Luke Allsbrook.In this episode, Luke and I discuss why finding peace in your art is so vital to the creative process - and how a lack of peace takes a toll on your art and your well-being. Luke shares about how to cultivate a place of peace and intimacy in the creative process.Luke is a contemporary realist painter.  In over 25 years as a professional fine artist, he’s produced a prolific volume of work for display in galleries, muse

“Comparison is the thief of joy.” - Theodore RooseveltIn the age of Instagram, it’s hard not to get caught in the comparison trap...to see someone else having success and to lament that you're not experiencing the same.Success looks different at each stage of your business - the keyword there being “your.”  You can't compare your vision of success to anyone else's vision of success - especially when they're in a different season.Inside our mentoring program, I get to walk with so many different artists in different stages of life.  I also get to help those artists define what success looks like for each of them in their own season of life and business.There are so many different variables that determine your own personal path to success, including: ✔️ Time that you may or may not have available✔️ Funds that you have to invest in your craft✔️ Skills that you've developed over time✔️ Willingness to travel for shows✔️ Desire to learn the latest technology✔️ Financial rewards you're

“…Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar — the LORD Almighty is His name.”  Jeremiah 31:35If ever there were a perfect metaphor for the mystery of creativity—for trying to understand the beauty, life, and order of the universe—it may just be ocean waves.Waves can be beautiful.  Waves can be rough.  Waves can move you gently or knock you off your feet.My friend Allen Arnold's latest book, Waves of Creativity, is dedicated to creatives who are trying our best to figure out how to step into the deep and do this thing we love with God.As a third-time guest, Allen is a bonafide sage of the Thriving Christian Artist podcast.  He invites us to let these waves of creativity wash over us. The invitation is not just to imagine but to experience creativity with no ego attached.  The pressure is off.  The joy is back.  There's a feeling of freedom where you and the Creator of the universe are in agreement, “Let's do this together.”Allen’s big but bite-sized ideas will motivate and encourage you as you

Remember Blockbuster, Beanie Babies, Backstreet Boys? All popular with audiences in the late 90s to early 2000s, probably not coming back.  In contrast, QR code marketing, once in decline, has become more popular than ever.It seems like everywhere you look, QR codes (those little black-and-white square barcodes) are appearing on everything - tickets, restaurant menus, product packaging, and more.  Since 2020, with the need for touch-free solutions, they're becoming a go-to staple for sales and marketing.How can a simple scan of a square graphic help create a connection with your audience? ✔️ Send people to your website or social profiles✔️ Share a video of your process✔️ Provide details about your work✔️ Track inventory of individual pieces✔️ Sell from your online shopping cartThe possibilities are endless!Using a QR code is a super-easy way to make technology work for you… even if you have no tech know-how.  They can become a creative way to connect you with your audience.If you're not already usin

Everyone likes to talk about “work-life balance,” but when your passion for creating, your business, your livelihood, and your faith overlap, striking that balance becomes even more challenging!As I help artists connect artistic, business, and spiritual life together in a holistic way, the question comes up over and over:  How do you blend that balance to express your unique voice as an artist?  One of the best keys is to develop the discipline of repeated practices.On today’s episode of the Thriving Christian Artist podcast, I’m talking with Gina Morgano.  She expresses her unique voice, quite literally, as a vocalist and voice teacher, as well as host of The Practice Parlour podcast, and creator of The Practice Planner.She's an inspiration for ways to include practices that shape the life, work, and faith of a Christian artist.  She also shares how God can use your creative career to open doors for relationships where introductions with religious labels never could.Keep up with Gina Morgano on Instagra

When I was a kid, I remember my parents warning me that if I hung around with the “bad kids,” I’d be painted with the same brush, and people would think I was a bad kid, too.  It wasn’t that they expected me to be a perfect angel - but they understood that as humans, we are susceptible to the influences around us, so controlling our environment was key to following God’s commandments and avoiding the temptation to sin.  Your environment will always overcome your willpower.  If your desire is to stay warm, then you can layer on warm clothing or light a warm fire.  BUT in the long run, your best bet to stay warm is moving out of the meat freezer.  The truth is, humans sin.  It’s in our nature.  Jesus was the only perfect being to ever walk the earth, and God doesn’t expect that of us - but He does expect us to do our best.  We can’t control what others do, but we can control our exposure to those people.  Sin always sells the promise of comfort - but it's never able to deliver.  Overcoming the false promis

I'm fascinated by God's “glory stories"—amazing testimonies of the grace and goodness of God.  Artists who step out in faith and invite the Holy Spirit into their creativity are full of those stories.God's original glory story begins with creativity.  In the beginning God created.  Mankind was made in the image of our Creator; every single one of us is called to create. It's our collective calling… even when we're unaware of our creativity… even if we attempt to bury our creativity out of reach.Our guest Latimer Bowen thought she'd put away her creativity for good.  For forty years, she protected herself from producing any art.  Finally, in 2009, she said yes to creating an image with God…and the results are nothing short of miraculous. Since then, God has empowered her creativity in equipping others to go into all the world to preach the gospel.  Today Latimer leads a prophetic art enterprise called Project 7 Billion with a mandate to reach the nations with anointed art eva