The Thriving Christian Artist

We artists talk a lot about the vision we have for our art.  But what does it actually look like when God releases His vision into our lives?  Is it a lightning bolt from the sky? Does He appear in a dream?  I think it’s less about the vehicle and much more about us.  I believe the Lord releases His vision to us in two ways - and I’m sharing more about those two ways on today’s episode of 5-Minute Mentoring!If you’re looking for that design, for that vision that God has for your life, then I hope you’ll join us for one of our most anticipated events of the year, the Artist Rise Up Masterclass!  During the month of September, we’ll have live teachings, an art challenge, lots of prizes, and just a great time for fellowship, connection, and learning with artists of different media from all over the world!When you start to align with His purpose for your life, you are able to step clearly and quickly into the things that God has designed especially for you.  I hope you’ll join us for Artist Rise Up!Click the link

Even if you don’t know Don Potter by name, you have definitely heard his music.  For decades, he was a very successful musician and music producer in Nashville, contributing to over 100 best-selling albums of country music stars who are now household names, such as the Judds, Kenny Chesney, Reba McEntire, Hank Williams Jr., Trisha Yearwood, and Willie Nelson.But it wasn’t until the Lord changed the direction of his life in the late 90s that I came to know Don as an incredible worship leader and songwriter.  He completely changed the way that I understood the nature of worship - that it wasn’t a passive event but a powerful, transformative experience that manifests in all areas in our lives - whether we are lifting our hands in corporate worship or lifting our creative tools in the studio. Don is a spiritual father to creatives all over the world, and I’m so excited to have him on the podcast to share his perspective on the process of creating prophetic art, particularly as a musician!To learn more about and c

As we close out this month-long celebration of the 10th anniversary edition of my first book, “Unlocking the Heart of the Artist,” I want to end with the beginning - or, more specifically, the forward of the book, which was written by my good friend, mentor, and spiritual father, Ray Hughes.  Ray captures so perfectly the spirit of this book and how we, as artists, are not just blindly following some prescribed plan for our lives.  God actually created us to be creative, and by pursuing our art and fulfilling that creativity, we are truly revealing His Kingdom all over earth.It’s so easy to get caught up in the busy-ness of life - the sports practices, the meetings, the emails, the grocery lists.  But there we’re just in survival mode - just getting through the day.  This, my friends, is not what God wants for us! It’s not what He created us for!  He wants us to thrive - and He’s given us all the tools we need to do just that. So when you experience periods where you’re surviving but not thriving in your life

Marian Wright Edelman said, “You can’t be what you can’t see,” and in my experience, that statement is true on so many levels.  I’ve mentored thousands of Christian artists over the years, and I’ve noticed that many of them didn’t have a clear picture in their heads of what it actually looks like to be a Thriving Christian Artist - so they struggled to achieve that goal.  That’s actually one of my goals with this podcast - to introduce you to Christian artists around the world who are truly thriving as they seek to reveal God’s glory through their artistic pursuits.  And I’m thrilled to introduce you today to my friend Simon Bull!Simon hails from the U.K. but makes his home in California.  His bright, vibrant paintings echo natural systems while also surprising and delighting his audience with playful twists and quirks.He was the 2019 official artist for the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C., the official artist to boxing legend Muhammad Ali, and the official artist for the 2002 Winter Olymp

Take a look around you.  How strong is your community?  I don’t mean just people who live in your town - I mean a caring community that supports, encourages, and takes care of each other in good times and bad.  Maybe it’s your church, your Sunday school class, your book club, or your core group of high school friends.  Maybe it’s an online community of people you’ve never met in person but who are your biggest cheerleaders.We are not designed to walk through difficulty, healing, or fulfilling our callings alone. We are created for community, to connect with and support each other, to link arms and stand together.  God created Eve so Adam wouldn’t be alone, and He calls us to be spiritual fathers and mothers, nurturing and raising up the next generation of prophetic artists to step into their place in His Kingdom.In today’s episode of 5-Minute Mentoring, we’re talking about how essential community is to our own growth, success, and happiness.  Just as iron sharpens iron - we strengthen each other.If you’re loo

I’ve heard it said that it’s one thing to be a tourist - but it’s another to be a traveler. A few years ago, I had the chance to spend a month “Down Under” in the beautiful country of Australia, meeting incredible artists, teaching workshops, and speaking and sharing about prophetic art with the amazing people I met there.During the week in which I was teaching a basketry class, I got to put on my traveler hat and experience life as the Australians do, thanks to Grace Bailey and her husband!  They not only hosted me in their home in Ballarat, Victoria, but they also fed me, showed me all the sights (including the ones that the tourists never see!), and gave me the celebrity treatment.  It was truly an honor and a privilege to be invited into the Baileys’ life and home during my week in Ballarat.In this podcast, I’m thrilled to introduce you to Grace and for you to hear what God is doing through her and her art.  Her stories of God’s provision, blessing, and even miracles are a testament to the power and the p

When you were a kid, did adults tell you to “stop dreaming and get your head out of the clouds?”  What those adults didn’t understand is that dreaming is essential for creating art - and even more so for creating prophetic art. God releases the dreamer inside all of us, opening our eyes to possibilities that we’d never dare to imagine without him.  As Christian artists, dreaming is in our very DNA, and it is through dreams that God reveals the secrets of His Kingdom.In today’s podcast, I’m sharing an excerpt from a chapter in the brand-new 10th anniversary edition of my first book, “Unlocking the Heart of the Artist.”  It was through learning to dream with Him that God revealed His purpose for me - to raise up an army of artists to reveal His glory all over the earth.  And that revelation completely changed my life.  Dreaming allows us to access the bigger picture, to see where we fit in the glorious puzzle that God has created.  Want to hear more about the role of dreaming in our lives as artists in the King

I’ve been involved in music my whole life. My mother was a music and choral teacher, and she had me singing in church and community groups as soon as they had a robe that would fit me. And I’ve always been grateful for that foundation in music because it’s also been such a big part of my relationship with the Lord.  Nothing allows me to get into God’s presence and feel His pleasure and love for me as worship music.  That’s why it’s such a pleasure to introduce you to Caleb Culver on the podcast today.  Caleb is a singer, songwriter, musician, and carrier of God’s presence and His Kingdom.  He is the co-writer of the Grammy-nominated song “Reckless Love” from a few years ago, and he is truly a vessel for prophetic creativity, or how we engage with the Holy Spirit in the creative process.  On today’s episode, we’re talking all about the gifts and challenges of prophetic creativity, how we see prophetic creativity produce results in our lives, and some of the things that we have to steward in that process to be

Exciting announcement time, Thriving Christian Artists!I’m thrilled to announce that we’ve just released a 10th anniversary edition of my first book, “Unlocking the Heart of the Artist!”   I have so enjoyed revisiting the book and revising the book with new stories, new revelations, and new updates from the last ten years of stepping into my own calling from the Lord and raising up this army of artists to go out and reveal His glory to the world!  Revising the book after 10 years has truly been a joy, and I’m excited for you to experience it!  We’re also releasing it on audiobook and ebook so you have lots of options!In today’s episode of 5-Minute Mentoring, I’m reading an excerpt from Chapter 5 of the book, where we’re talking about discovering the Father’s heart for you through the story of the Prodigal Son, which is one of my favorites.  Tune in and listen - I hope these words resonate with you and are a blessing along your own journey to discovering the Father’s heart for you!And make sure to visit me ove

Artists have been using the power of art to bring people together, to express complicated emotions, and to communicate across languages and cultures for millennia.  As Thriving Christian Artists, we seek to release God’s transforming power through our own art in many different media.That’s why I am so excited about to introduce you to Jason Leith, Arts Director and Pastor at Saddleback Church in Orange County, California to share with us about Sacred Streets, a ministry that is transforming the lives of people who are often marginalized by using art to help us see what is otherwise unseen, to expose the humanity of the disenfranchised. As we say here in the Southern U.S., Jason is “our people,” and I can’t wait for you to hear his story and receive encouragement and inspiration from him, wherever you are on your journey.  I believe this podcast will heighten your awareness, expectation, and even faith for what God can begin to do in your life as you invite Him into your creative process.To learn more about Ja

“Your prices are too low!”  they say.  “You need to raise them!”  But that’s easier said than done!  In today’s episode of 5-Minute Mentoring, I’m sharing some clues you can look for to know when - and how - to raise your prices to ensure that you’re building in profit so you can sustain and grow your art business.Are you an artist struggling to price your art in a way that feels authentic to you but still returns a profit?  Check out my new book and resources below for help!How to Price Your Art: Pricing with Confidence for Sales & Profit (Book Just Released!)https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097XBP733How To Price Your Art:  The 2021 Definitive Guide to Pricing Your Art for Visual Artistshttps://www.matttommeymentoring.com/how-to-price-your-art.htmlConnect with me online: https://www.matttommeymentoring.comInstagram and Facebook: @thethrivingchristianartistWatch this podcast on YouTube!  https://www.youtube.com/mjtommey 

As we’ve talked about in the last few episodes of the podcast, pricing your artwork can be a real pain in the derriere.  It’s a common frustration I hear from followers and students alike, and one I experienced as I developed my art business, too…...until I finally discovered the formula and strategy that allowed me to price my work easily and competently with profit in mind.

Selling your art on commission, consignment, or wholesale can be a great way to expose new potential customers to your art and grow your client base and revenue. However, when you first start selling your art, all the terminology can be overwhelming.  Never fear!  In this episode of the Thriving Christian Artist podcast, I’m breaking down exactly what it means to create and sell art on commission, consignment, or wholesale. The key to all of this, of course, is to make sure you’re pricing your art appropriately so you can make money, create a business you love, and do the thing that God has called you to do! Be sure to check out the link below for everything you need to know about pricing your art, including my new book and the Art Pricing Workshop!How to Price Your Art: Pricing with Confidence for Sales & Profit (Book Just Released!)https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097XBP733How To Price Your Art:  The 2021 Definitive Guide to Pricing Your Art for Visual Artistshttps://www.matttommeymentoring.com/how-to-price-y

One of the things that’s closest to the Lord’s heart is generational impact, that the work of our hearts and hands doesn't end with us - that it will continue to the next generation.  That’s why I’m so excited to introduce you to Mary, Christine, and Caitlin, three talented artists who have created a multigenerational art business that has blessed customers, clients, and other artists for 30 years now.It’s amazing all the powerful things you can do when you co-labor with the Lord and when you simply say “Yes” to Him.  As you’ll hear, Mary said Yes to the Lord’s prompting when she started her studio 30 years ago, and that step of faith has created a legacy of creativity, support, and connection within their family and beyond.I so enjoyed my conversation with these talented artists, and I know you will, too!Learn more about Mary, Christine, and Caitlin on their website at creativebrush.com or on Facebook and Instagram @creativebrush.Connect with Matt online at matttommeymentoring.com or on Instagram and Fa

Some people just love to haggle.  They enjoy the thrill of the hunt for a great deal.  They LOVE getting a discount.  They’ll ask for discounts on everything - just in case the answer is yes!A lot of artists think that they have to offer a discount to get someone to buy their art - but it’s not true, and it’s not good for your business!  Remember, a discount takes money right out of your pocket - and that makes your job as a business owner even harder!If you’ve been tempted to discount your work in order to sell it, it’s time to change your mindset on discounts!  I’ll tell you how in this episode of the Thriving Christian Artist podcast!How to Price Your Art: Pricing with Confidence for Sales & Profit (Book Just Released!)https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097XBP733How To Price Your Art:  The 2021 Definitive Guide to Pricing Your Art for Visual Artistshttps://www.matttommeymentoring.com/how-to-price-your-art.htmlConnect with me online:https://www.matttommeymentoring.comInstagram and Facebook: @thethrivingchristia

When I received my commission from the Lord back in 2009 to raise up an army of artists all over the world, one of the things that He told me I would be doing was bringing the master artists and emerging artists together to learn from and walk with each other.  That’s why I’m delighted to introduce you to my friend Scott Stearman, a master sculptor, consummate encourager, and passionate storyteller who loves to use his creative gifting to release the Light and Love of Jesus wherever he goes.Everybody talks about the power of story, but sometimes we get caught up in the idea that “story” is limited to words...when in fact, story is imbued in every piece we create.  “I want to make sure that when someone looks at my work in the future, the meaning that I intended will be clear, that I’ve told a good story.” - Scott StearmanWe are all storytellers, and our art tells a story.  What story is your art telling?   It’s definitely something to think about as you enjoy this episode!Learn more about Scott on his website

When I first started my art business, I was in “hustle mode.”  I was working 6-7 days a week, burning the midnight oil, and creating art that was selling - but that wasn’t bringing me any joy.  It wasn’t until I realized that I needed to make my business work for me - and not the other way around - that I finally discovered the life God meant for me to live.On this episode of 5-Minute Mentoring, we’re talking about how to avoid letting your business run the show, and I’ll share the two things you need to design the business and the life that works for you...and for God’s Kingdom. Want to learn more about how to price your art? How to Price Your Art: Pricing with Confidence for Sales & Profit (Book Just Released!)https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097XBP733How To Price Your Art:  The 2021 Definitive Guide to Pricing Your Art for Visual Artistshttps://www.matttommeymentoring.com/how-to-price-your-art.htmlConnect with me online: https://www.matttommeymentoring.comInstagram and Facebook: @thethrivingchristianartistWa

Ever heard that saying, “It is what it is?”  It’s often said in the context of something that we can’t change, something that feels too big for us to tackle.  My guest this week, Justin McRoberts, is determined to change this sentiment from “It is what it is” to “It is what you make of it.”  In this episode of The Thriving Christian Artist podcast, Justin and I talk about how when we’re tempted to throw up our hands and say “It is what it is,” what we really need to do is to throw up our hands to the Lord and say, “I feel powerless.  I need help.”  The truth is, God doesn’t care what we accomplish - He cares about who we are becoming in the process, in the shift to “It is what you make it.”  It’s the process, not the product, that really matters to Him.Be sure to check out Justin’s book, It Is What You Make Of It,” on Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/What-You-Make-Creating-Something/dp/0785239804/And connect with Justin at http://justinmcroberts.com/Connect with Matt online at https://www.matttommeymentoring.com

Do you grapple with the tension of being creatively authentic and actually making a living from your art?  Can creative authenticity and profit actually live together in harmony?  They absolutely can - and they should!  Profit is one of the most powerful things you can build and grow in your art business today.That’s why on today’s episode of 5-Minute Mentoring, we’re talking about the three benefits that profit brings to your business - so don’t miss it!   Want to learn more about how to price your art? How to Price Your Art: Pricing with Confidence for Sales & Profit (Book Just Released!) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097XBP733How To Price Your Art:  The 2021 Definitive Guide to Pricing Your Art for Visual Artistshttps://www.matttommeymentoring.com/how-to-price-your-art.htmlConnect with me online: https://www.matttommeymentoring.comInstagram and Facebook: @thethrivingchristianartistWatch this podcast on YouTube!  https://www.youtube.com/mjtommey 

One of the biggest misconceptions that a lot of artists carry is the idea that creativity is outside the realm of God’s Kingdom, that it’s “extra” or ancillary.  But here’s the thing:  creativity is what manifests God’s Kingdom - not the other way around.  It’s how we connect with the abundant life that Jesus designed for us, and it’s how we see the transformative power of God begin to flow in and through our lives.In today’s episode, I’m bringing this message from a recent sermon I preached at my church, New Covenant Church in western North Carolina, to help you understand how this process of prophetic creativity works!  Connect with Matt online at https://www.matttommeymentoring.com or on Instagram and Facebook @thethrivingchristianartistYou can also watch this podcast on YouTube!  Head on over to youtube.com/mjtommey to check it out!