The Thriving Christian Artist

“Matt, how do I know when it’s time to raise my prices?”  This is a great question - and one I get all the time.  After all, setting prices for your art involves a lot of different factors that can be hard to juggle - market comparisons, cost of living, your time and effort, and even your own sense of self-worth, to an extent.  To help you take the guesswork out of raising your prices, I’ve come up with three markers for artists to look out for, and I’m spelling them out in this episode of 5-Minute Mentoring.  Take a listen, and keep your eyes open for them to come into your life.  When you start to recognize these signposts, you’ll know just what to do.  And if you want a deeper dive into how and when to raise your prices, check out my book, “How To Price Your Art: Pricing with Confidence for Sales & Profit,” which is available on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/How-Price-Your-Art-Confidence/dp/B097XBP733 ====================When you’re ready to stop striving and start thriving, here are 4 other ways I ca

When some people follow their artistic dreams, they are in it for fame and fortune.  While this isn’t out of the realm of possibility, it’s not exactly something that manifests for every artist.  Julie Bagamary is intentionally living her life and directing her art at something that is attainable for everybody (and is way more important than fame and fortune).Legacy. The chance to be remembered.  The opportunity have an impact on people’s lives that goes beyond the span of your own days.  In Julie’s case, that means having her art on other people’s walls, having her books in their hands, and having her lessons and delightful presence in the memories of her children, grandchildren, and art students.  Give a listen to this episode and see how Julie is creating a legacy through art that can be passed down to the next generations, and on and on after that.  You may just want to do the same!  And while you’re at it, check out Julie’s art and books at the links below: https://www.instagram.com/juliebagamaryart/  ht

When you’re stressed, overwhelmed, or struggling to find the time for what God has called you to do, there’s one little word that can help you a lot: No.  Being able to say no to things that are adding to your overwhelm, or are stumbling blocks in the way of God’s plan for you, is a very powerful tool to have in your tool chest.  Unfortunately, it can be hard for many of us to actually pull out that tool and use it when the time comes. But if you can learn to say no to the things that are not bringing you closer to God's design and assignment for you in the Kingdom, you will be empowered and open to say yes to the things that are.  In this episode of 5-Minute Mentoring, I give you some ideas of things that you may need to say no to in order to move closer to the path God wants you on.  Check it out.  ====================When you’re ready to stop striving and start thriving, here are 4 other ways I can help: 1️⃣  Get my FREE Guide, “5 Biggest Misconceptions About Prophetic Art”Wondering how to create your

Author, speaker, and coach Allen Arnold, my guest on this episode of the Thriving Christian Artist, says that there are two worldviews we can live in as Christians.  One is what most folks, even most Christians, seem to experience - a worldview where God is an intangible presence whom we hope to please but who is ultimately detached from our daily lives.  The other worldview is the one shared by Adam and Even way back in the Garden of Eden - a worldview where God is walking with us and connected to us in a real, ever-present way.  Allen says the challenge Christians face is to move from that more detached worldview to what he calls The Eden Option.  It’s the option we were always meant to live in, the option that was lost with Adam and Eve’s failings in the face of temptation, but it’s something we can return to.  And as artists, that will mean going from trying to be creative for God to co-creating with God.  Allen and I talk about the four-fold framework of returning to the Eden Option, and you’ll be inspir

If you’ve ever felt the Lord calling you to move forward to a new thing He has for your life, then you’ve probably also felt the desire to stay put right where you are.  It’s perfectly normal and natural to want to stick with where you are and not take the risky path, especially if things are going pretty well for you.  A good job, a nice house, a comfortable rhythm to your life… those things aren’t easy to put aside in favor of the unknown future. As a working artist, or a budding artist considering going pro, you’re bound to feel this tension when determining what God wants for your life.  But if you’re truly hearing God’s call, you can trust that He has your best interest in His heart.  He has your provision all taken care of.  He would never steer you wrong. In this episode of 5-Minute Mentoring, I talk about that tension between trusting the Lord and holding on to the status quo, and I give you my two cents on how to work through it.  Take a listen.  ====================When you’re ready to stop striving

Some people seem to have been given more than 24 hours in their days, and my guest on this episode of the Thriving Christian Artist is one of those people.  She’s Rebecca Friedlander, and I’m super-excited to welcome her back to the show.  Rebecca is a full-time minister, a creative artist, a musician, a film producer, an author, a speaker, and is even in the process of renovating a cabin.  But the thing she does best is help people hear God’s voice and feel His presence in their lives.  As she says, she loves all three persons of the Trinity, and in our conversation for this episode she talks about how each of their aspects can be manifested in each of our lives.  It’s a great discussion, and I think you’ll really get a lot out of it.  Be sure to check out Rebecca’s website for a look at ALL the things she’s been up to, including her movies, books, music, teaching material, devotionals, and even an opportunity to book a few nights at her Prayer Cabin.  So cool. https://www.rebeccafriedlander.com/ ===========

What does it mean to advance the Kingdom of God?  We all more-or-less have an idea of the Kingdom of God as a goal to strive for and a guiding principle for living.  But it can be tough to define the specifics of how we can achieve that goal and what we can do as individuals to tilt the world in that direction. In this episode of 5-Minute Mentoring, I want to dive into this tricky subject and provide you with  an easy, five-part framework you can use in your life.  I call it God's I-D-E-A-L, and it will help you understand your identity in Christ, embrace your unique design, and expand in that identity and design to advance the Kingdom.Want to know what IDEAL stands for?  You'll have to check out the episode!  ====================When you’re ready to stop striving and start thriving, here are 4 other 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 yo

Lisa Kozel Mangione has always been drawn to all things aquatic.  The beach, the ocean, and sea creatures have been a big part of Lisa’s life since she was a kid, so it was only natural that they became a big focus of Lisa’s art, as well.  Lisa felt the tug of a Kingdom-led calling to be an artist, but she didn’t have a roadmap to make the transition from hobbyist to working artist, at least not until she found my Artist Rise Up masterclass on Facebook.  When she took the masterclass, a fire was lit in her that’s burning bright still today. Discover how God opened doors and created the divine appointments that allowed Lisa to shift to a new season of life focused on her success as a painter.  And don’t forget to check out Lisa’s nautical marine art on her website, Facebook, and Instagram! https://www.saltyroserenderings.com/ https://www.facebook.com/SaltyRoseRenderings https://www.instagram.com/saltyroserenderings/ ====================When you’re ready to stop striving and start thriving, here are 4 other way

What do you think is the number one barrier that most artists face?Is it a lack of time to work on their art?  Technology changes?  Access to supplies or studio space?I’ll give you a hint - it starts with an “m” and rhymes with Winnie the Pooh’s favorite food.  (Oh, bother.)Yeah, it’s money.  That probably doesn’t surprise you.But what might surprise you is that I’m going to share with you some things you should do right now to set yourself up for consistent cashflow in 2023.I’m also going to tell you about our upcoming Artist Cashflow Bootcamp, where we’ll take your cash flow to the next level so you can do what God has called you to do with your art without having to worry about money.Give the video a look, and be sure to join us for the Artist Cashflow Bootcamp!  https://www.artistcashflowbootcamp.com/ ====================When you’re ready to stop striving and start thriving, here are 4 other ways I can help: 1️⃣ Create Cashflow With Us! - Join us for an exclusive 5-day workshop where you’ll learn how to c

In this episode of the Thriving Christian Artist podcast, I talk with my new friend Mary Malini about her incredible journey of overcoming obstacles and following the call of God in her life. Starting out in a small town in India, Mary’s education took her to a 12-year career in mass communication and television production - but her love of dance and art never left her heart.  In time, she felt the insistent pull of the Lord leading her to a whole new season in her life of pursuing her art. By faithfully surrendering to God’s will, she was empowered to turn her talents at painting and driftwood sculpture into a successful art business. In our talk, Mary shares how some divine appointments (and a couple of my books!) led her to discover her unique design and how that led her to pursue her passion for art full-time.  If you’re struggling to navigate through transitions, find your identity and purpose, or gather the courage to take hold of opportunities that come along, Mary’s story is going to really resonate w

If you've ever experienced “creative block” - and I can guarantee almost everybody has - then you know how hard it can be to overcome.  You feel like you may never be able to regain your creativity.  You feel like a fraud for claiming to be an artist in the first place.  You feel helpless and hopeless, and you would give anything to get your spark back.  Creative block may seem like an impossible mountain to climb sometimes, but it can be done - and I’ll tell you how!So grab your climbing harness, put on those spiky shoes, and let’s conquer that mountain together in this episode of 5-Minute Mentoring!By the way, have you registered for the upcoming Artist Cashflow Bootcamp?  If you’re ready to learn how to create consistent, faithful income for your art business, be sure to join us LIVE beginning January 20th!  Check out all the details here!  https://www.artistcashflowbootcamp.com====================When you’re ready to stop striving and start thriving, here are 4 other ways I can help: 1️⃣ Create Cashf

My friend Ying McLane grew up in China loving art, painting, and writing, but she never thought it could be a career for her, much less one that she could thrive while doing (sound familiar?).But when she came to the United States, she met her future husband, she met Jesus, and she saw the beautiful possibilities that God had in store for her and her art.Now she is a thriving Christian artist, a blogger, and the author of a new coffee table book, “Colors of Grace,” that brings her art, writing, and Christianity together in an exciting new way.  Her experiences of learning about the Lord and herself, and finding ways to help others through her work, are inspiring and engaging.  I hope you’ll take a minute to listen to her story in this episode.  You can find Ying’s art and more on Instagram and at her website:  https://www.instagram.com/yingmclane/ www.yingmclane.com And if you’re ready to learn how to create consistent, faithful income for your art business, be sure to join us LIVE starting January 20th for t

I use the word "thrive" so much that I sometimes forget to take a step back and clarify what I mean by it.  Thriving is all about flourishing in what God has called you to and experiencing the abundance, joy, and fulfillment God created us for.    So how does one go about thriving in the Kingdom of God?   In this episode of 5-Minute Mentoring, I tell you about God's I-D-E-A-L - an easy, five-part framework for you to begin to put into your life that will lead you to a place of thriving in the Kingdom.  Want to know what IDEAL stands for?  You'll have to listen to the episode!  ====================When you’re ready to stop striving and start thriving, here are 4 other 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 of these misconceptions about prophetic art!  Download here ➡️ https://thrive.matttommeymentoring.com/5-b

My guest on this episode of the Thriving Christian Artist podcast is Jeff Brewer, a product launch expert to other online experts.  Jeff helps people launch and scale their businesses online.So what does he have to do with art, you may ask?  Well, think about this.  When you create a piece for your art business, you want it to sell, right?  You want to get it in front of the right people who will want to buy it, and maybe drive more sales when their friends see your amazing piece hanging on their wall, right?  Every time you put a new piece out there, you are technically launching a product.  Sorry if that doesn't sound as artsy or romantic as you might want, but it's true.  And if you want to have the most successful launch possible for your art, you should take some lessons from what Jeff has to say.  His product launch tips and strategies are just as effective for sculptures and paintings as they are for personal development courses or anything else you could launch.  So get ready to take some no

If we’re called by God to be creative, doesn’t that mean we should never have trouble creating?  There are times when the art is flowing out of us, the paint is leaping oto the canvas, the clay is taking shape at our slightest whims, and we can feel the Holy Spirit co-creating with us. But sometimes it doesn’t feel like that.  Sometimes we enter the studio and all we can do is stare at the emptiness, with no inspiration for how to fill it.  Does that mean God has abandoned us to our creative anxiety?  Well, fear not, my friends.  Creative anxiety, writer’s block, imposter syndrome, and all of those issues that creative people face are perfectly normal.  You haven’t done anything wrong.  The Lord is still with you, as He always is.  In this episode of 5-Minute Mentoring, I go over some of the things I’ve found help artists to overcome whenever creative anxiety rears its ugly head.  Give it a listen and get back to being the artist God has called you to be!  ====================When you’re ready to stop strivin

Have you ever stopped to think about how much of an impact an act of stepping out in faith can have on people?  I don’t just mean for that person, either.  God can use acts of faith to affect and bolster the lives of countless people in a cascade of blessings from that one initial act.   But it has to start with an act of faith.  Of obedience to God’s will.  Of taking courage in God’s promises to us.  My guest on this episode of the Thriving Christian Artist podcast, Kim Keys, is a perfect example of this.  Kim is a colored pencil artist (with a background in oil painting), and she’s a fellow Texan, so she’s okay in my book!  And speaking of “my book,” you’ve got to hear Kim’s story about how she stepped out in faith and led a study group on my book, “Unlocking the Heart of the Artist” at a church she was still brand new to because she felt God was calling her to do so.  That act of faith has led to more book studies, a new-found appreciation for art in her church, and new outreach opportunities that are touc

As of the time of this video, the Powerball lottery is up to something like $1.9 BILLION dollars.  Billion.  With a B.  Can you even fathom how much money that is?  It is such a staggering amount of money for a person to have for themselves that it might as well be called a “gazillion” or a “bajillion.”  It’s no wonder so many people are buying a ticket or two in the infinitesimal hope that maybe they’ll be the one to take it home (or at least what’s left after taxes).  And when I hear people talking about what they would do with that kind of money (or even a tenth, or a hundredth of that amount) it’s amazing to hear how people feel their lives would change.  All the great things that they could do in their lives, if only they had the money.  As fun as it can be to buy a ticket and dream, we need to realize that if we are good and faithful stewards, God has already given us everything we need to accomplish what He has in store for our lives.  Want to know more?  Listen to this episode of 5-Minute Mentoring! 

When you look at the world around you, it’s hard not to be discouraged by the seemingly endless contention between people.  Politics have never been more divisive.  The comments on practically any social media posts so often devolve into bickering, bullying, and worse.  Even some hateful ideologies that seemed to have been stamped out decades ago are rearing their ugly heads again.  And a core element of all of this conflict is a lack of empathy.  My guest on this episode of The Thriving Chrisitan Artist podcast, Mary McCampbell, has made a study of empathy and how the Arts can affect its growth in people from all walks of life.  She has written and lectured on the topic in academic settings, and I’m super-pleased to have her join me to talk about it on this podcast.  So tune in and hear Mary’s eye-opening thoughts on how a shared experience of art can help us break down preconceived notions of people we might think are different from us, and recognize that all people are complex, feeling, worthy creations in

Stop doing things for God. “Matt, why would you say that?  Aren’t we supposed to spend our lives doing things for God?Aren't we supposed to spend our whole lives doing things for God?  Shouldn't we be doing all we can to advance the Kingdom and try to repay God for saving us?  Why would you tell us to stop, Matt?”Don’t worry - I can explain!  On this episode of 5-Minute Mentoring, I'll let you know exactly what I have in mind when I say that we should stop doing things for God.  When you’re ready to stop striving and start thriving, here are 4 other 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 of these misconceptions about prophetic art!   Download here ➡️ https://thrive.matttommeymentoring.com/5-biggest-misconceptions-about-prophetic-art2️⃣ Learn a New Framework for Living: Watch this free 60-minute, on-demand workshop

Never underestimate God's ability to find a place for you in advancing His Kingdom.  When my friend Veronica Anzorena heard God calling her to missions, she wasn’t sure if her artistic skills and talents could be put to use.  She thought being a painter, print-maker, graphic designer, and so on, might not be as useful to a community in need as, say, a doctor, a teacher, or people with other skill sets like that.  Where was God going to place her in missions as an artist?   Turns out she didn’t have to linger on that question very long because God led her to a mission recruiter who was looking for artists to go to China!  God always has a plan.  Veronica’s love for mission work and her art have taken her so many places and allowed her so many experiences.  And now she has developed HopeCo. Global, a platform for artists and artisans who are experiencing poverty, exploitation, and other hardships to sell their handcrafted work to a worldwide audience and create sustainable income.  Listen to her story here