The Thriving Christian Artist

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286 - 5-Minute Mentoring: Are Your Dreams Dead? Sep 17, 2021

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“A dream without a plan is just a wish.” - Katherine Paterson, author

Do you ever feel like the dreams that you hold so dearly in your heart are just never, ever going to come to pass? That no matter how hard you work, things just aren’t panning out the way you want them to?
When this happens, it’s easy to give up, to downgrade our dream to just a wish - because we don’t have a plan, to use Katherine Paterson’s metaphor. But here’s the thing - God has a plan for ALL our dreams! He has architected our lives so carefully and beautifully… but on His schedule, not ours! We may not always understand God’s timing, but we must have faith in His promise - that He has a divine design for our lives and that He’s working all things together for our good!
The perspective shift that comes when you begin to respond to and encounter the Word of the Lord is exactly what led me to start the Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program. When God called me to raise up an army of artists to reveal His glory, I had no idea what His plan was for this dream - and I never could’ve dreamed on that night in 2009 that He would’ve taken me on this particular journey. He sure is full of surprises!
If you’re searching for a perspective shift, to more clearly understand God’s plan for your dreams and your art, I hope you’ll join us for the Artist Rise Up Masterclass + Art Challenge! The first of the 5 masterclass sessions starts on September 20th, but we’re already having a blast in the private Facebook group, where participants are sharing their stories and their art with folks from all over the world!
The Masterclass + Art Challenge is free, but you do need to register at the link below so we can send you all the details!
Artist Rise Up Masterclass + Art Challenge
https://www.artistriseup.com
Hope to see you there, and remember...you were Created to Thrive!
Connect with me online:
https://www.matttommeymentoring.com
https://www.instagram.com/thethrivingchristianartist
https://www.facebook.com/thethrivingchristianartist
https://www.youtube.com/mjtommey to watch the podcast on YouTube!

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285 - Walking Through Life's Seasons with Grace: A Conversation with Jan Lewis Sep 14, 2021

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Jesus said that it rains on the just and unjust alike, and our ability to walk through the seasons of life - with grace, with faith, and with a “yes” in our hearts - really defines how we experience life and how we're able to walk in the goodness of God.
One of the people who I've had the great privilege of the last 4+ years to watch do this very thing is Jan Thoreen Lewis, who has been part of our Created to Thrive Mentoring Program and is in our Mastery Program. Jan has walked through some pretty tough stuff in these last few years - health challenges with her husband, her business changing, moving - stuff that would make most of us throw up our hands.
And yet, in the middle of all that, Jan has continued to point her heart to Jesus, to renew her mind to the truth, and give God her “yes”, even when it's not been easy. I'm super excited to bring your story to you today because I know no matter where you are today - whether you're walking through an incredible season or through a challenging season - Jan's perspective on the journey that we all walk is really going to be a big encouragement to you.
You know what else makes these difficult seasons a little easier? Surrounding yourself with encouraging, supportive people who understand what you’re going through - and that’s what you’ll find in the Artist Rise Up Masterclass + Art Challenge! We’ll have live teachings and times of worship, a daily 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! The fun officially starts on September 20th, but join now and you’ll get early access to the private Facebook group!
Click the link below for all the details and to register!
Artist Rise Up Masterclass + Art Challenge
https://www.artistriseup.com
And be sure to connect with Jan Thoreen Lewis online:
https://www.janthoreenlewis.com/
https://www.instagram.com/janthoreenlewisfineart/
https://www.facebook.com/ThoreenStudio
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Have you checked out my new books on Amazon yet?
Prophetic Art: A Practical Guide for Creating with the Holy Spirit
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B098WHPBLS
Unlocking the Heart of the Artist: A Practical Guide to Fulfilling Your Creative Call as an Artist in the Kingdom
https://www.amazon.com/Unlocking-Heart-Artist-Practical-Fulfilling/dp/1460930258
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Connect with Matt online at matttommeymentoring.com or on Instagram and Facebook @thethrivingchristianartist
You can also watch this podcast on YouTube at youtube.com/mjtommey. Be sure to check it out!

Support the show

Fuel Your Creative Calling with Weekly Encouragement
Join thousands of Christian artists who are growing in faith, creativity, and purpose.

👉 Click here. It’s free. It’s faith-filled. And it’s just for you.

284 - 5-Minute Mentoring: The Divine Tension Sep 10, 2021

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We typically think of tension as a negative thing, right? Tension is where our fears are magnified, where our past mistakes replay in our mind, where the imposter syndrome kicks in. We’re usually trying to release tension in our lives, not create more of it!
But tension can also create beautiful things. Think about the violin and other stringed instruments. The reason that sound is produced from the instrument is due to the tension that’s created between the wood and the strings. Without that tension, the bow would make a sound resembling a dying duck! That tension is what allows musicians to create beautiful music that moves people to tears!
But if tension or its friends - fear, imposter syndrome, and doubt - are preventing you from creating beauty, that’s the time to step in and make a change. That’s why I hope you’ll join us for one of our most anticipated events of the year, the Artist Rise Up Masterclass + Art Challenge!
During the month of September, we’ll have live teachings and times of worship, 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, the tension that is created can be a thing of beauty as it helps you step into the divine design that God has designed especially for you. I hope you’ll join us for the Artist Rise Up Masterclass + Art Challenge!
Click the link below for all the details!
Artist Rise Up Masterclass + Art Challenge
https://www.artistriseup.com
Connect with me online:
https://www.matttommeymentoring.com
https://www.instagram.com/thethrivingchristianartist
https://www.facebook.com/thethrivingchristianartist
https://www.youtube.com/mjtommey to watch the podcast on YouTube!

Support the show

Fuel Your Creative Calling with Weekly Encouragement
Join thousands of Christian artists who are growing in faith, creativity, and purpose.

👉 Click here. It’s free. It’s faith-filled. And it’s just for you.

283 - Moving Across the Bridge: A Conversation with Gena Kearn Sep 07, 2021

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Have you ever stood in the middle of a suspension bridge when the wind kicked up? Talk about a bumpy ride! And even though you know logically that you’re safe, it doesn’t necessarily feel that way! Sometimes our journey to what God has called us to do can feel like that suspension bridge. Even when we trust in His plan, it can still make our knees a little weak!
I’m excited to introduce you to my friend Gena Kearn, who is in our Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program and is at a place in her journey that we call “crossing the bridge” - that is, moving from her current career as an art teacher and hobbyist into a full-time career as an artist! I know that you’ll enjoy hearing Gena’s story!
And be sure to connect with Gena at https://www.instagram.com/genakearnart/ or at https://genakearn.com/.
I also wanted to invite you to our upcoming Artist Rise Up Masterclass + Art Challenge, which starts on September 20th. If you’re ready to discover how to thrive spiritually, artistically, and in business as an artist in God's Kingdom, then you need to be here!
The masterclass series includes 5 live training sessions with me, a fun art challenge, a Facebook group where you can connect with other Christian artists, and some really cool prizes! It’s one of my favorite events that we hold, and I hope to see you there! Click the link below for more details and to register.
Artist Rise Up Masterclass + Art Challenge
https://www.artistriseup.com
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Connect with me online:
https://www.matttommeymentoring.com
https://www.instagram.com/thethrivingchristianartist
https://www.facebook.com/thethrivingchristianartist
https://www.youtube.com/mjtommey to watch the podcast on YouTube!

Support the show

Fuel Your Creative Calling with Weekly Encouragement
Join thousands of Christian artists who are growing in faith, creativity, and purpose.

👉 Click here. It’s free. It’s faith-filled. And it’s just for you.

282 - 5-Minute Mentoring: How God Releases Vision Sep 03, 2021

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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 below for all the details!
Artist Rise Up Masterclass
https://www.artistriseup.com

Connect with me online:

https://www.matttommeymentoring.com

https://www.instagram.com/thethrivingchristianartist

https://www.facebook.com/thethrivingchristianartist

https://www.youtube.com/mjtommey to watch the podcast on YouTube!

Support the show

Fuel Your Creative Calling with Weekly Encouragement
Join thousands of Christian artists who are growing in faith, creativity, and purpose.

👉 Click here. It’s free. It’s faith-filled. And it’s just for you.

281 - In the Spirit: A Conversation with Don Potter Aug 31, 2021

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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 connect with Don online, visit https://www.potterschoolhaus.com!
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Have you checked out my new books on Amazon yet?
Prophetic Art: A Practical Guide for Creating with the Holy Spirit
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B098WHPBLS
Unlocking the Heart of the Artist: A Practical Guide to Fulfilling Your Creative Call as an Artist in the Kingdom
https://www.amazon.com/Unlocking-Heart-Artist-Practical-Fulfilling/dp/1460930258
===========
Connect with Matt online at matttommeymentoring.com or on Instagram and Facebook @thethrivingchristianartist
You can also watch this podcast on YouTube at youtube.com/mjtommey. Be sure to check it out!

Support the show

Fuel Your Creative Calling with Weekly Encouragement
Join thousands of Christian artists who are growing in faith, creativity, and purpose.

👉 Click here. It’s free. It’s faith-filled. And it’s just for you.

280 - 5-Minute Mentoring:Created by the Creator to be Creative Aug 27, 2021

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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, know that God has equipped you with the tools and skills you need to thrive, to go out and live the life that He designed for you in the Kingdom…because you were created to thrive!
Unlocking the Heart of the Artist: 10th Anniversary Edition on Amazon (Just Released!)
https://www.amazon.com/Unlocking-Heart-Artist-Practical-Fulfilling/dp/1460930258
Connect with me online:
https://www.matttommeymentoring.com
https://www.instagram.com/thethrivingchristianartist
https://www.facebook.com/thethrivingchristianartist
https://www.youtube.com/mjtommey to watch the podcast on YouTube!
_______________________

Support the show

Fuel Your Creative Calling with Weekly Encouragement
Join thousands of Christian artists who are growing in faith, creativity, and purpose.

👉 Click here. It’s free. It’s faith-filled. And it’s just for you.

279 - Creativity, Anointing & Influence: A Conversation with Simon Bull Aug 24, 2021

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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 Olympics. His work is highly sought after and hangs in galleries and homes all over the world.
Connect with Simon on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/simonbullart/ and visit his website at https://bullart.com/ for more about him and his work!
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Have you checked out my new books on Amazon yet?
Prophetic Art: A Practical Guide for Creating with the Holy Spirit
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B098WHPBLS
Unlocking the Heart of the Artist: A Practical Guide to Fulfilling Your Creative Call as an Artist in the Kingdom
https://www.amazon.com/Unlocking-Heart-Artist-Practical-Fulfilling/dp/1460930258
===========
Connect with Matt online at matttommeymentoring.com or on Instagram and Facebook @thethrivingchristianartist
You can also watch this podcast on YouTube at youtube.com/mjtommey. Be sure to check it out!
_______________________

Support the show

Fuel Your Creative Calling with Weekly Encouragement
Join thousands of Christian artists who are growing in faith, creativity, and purpose.

👉 Click here. It’s free. It’s faith-filled. And it’s just for you.

278 - 5-Minute Mentoring: Embrace Community Aug 20, 2021

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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 looking to connect with other Christian artists, keep an eye out in the next few weeks as we share info on our Artists Rise Up Challenge, the Created to Thrive Mentoring Program, and more!
Unlocking the Heart of the Artist: 10th Anniversary Edition on Amazon (Just Released!)
https://www.amazon.com/Unlocking-Heart-Artist-Practical-Fulfilling/dp/1460930258

Connect with me online:
https://www.matttommeymentoring.com
https://www.instagram.com/thethrivingchristianartist
https://www.facebook.com/thethrivingchristianartist
https://www.youtube.com/mjtommey to watch the podcast on YouTube!

Support the show

Fuel Your Creative Calling with Weekly Encouragement
Join thousands of Christian artists who are growing in faith, creativity, and purpose.

👉 Click here. It’s free. It’s faith-filled. And it’s just for you.

277 - Creating Prophetic Art: A Conversation with Grace Bailey Aug 17, 2021

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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 promise of prophetic art.
Want to connect with Grace online? Visit her website at https://gracebailey.net/ or follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/gracebailey.net/.
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Have you checked out my new books on Amazon yet?
Prophetic Art: A Practical Guide for Creating with the Holy Spirit
https://www.amazon.com/Prophetic-Art-Practical-Creating-Spirit/dp/B098WHPBLS
Unlocking the Heart of the Artist: A Practical Guide to Fulfilling Your Creative Call as an Artist in the Kingdom
https://www.amazon.com/Unlocking-Heart-Artist-Practical-Fulfilling/dp/1460930258
===========
Connect with Matt online at matttommeymentoring.com or on Instagram and Facebook @thethrivingchristianartist

Support the show

Fuel Your Creative Calling with Weekly Encouragement
Join thousands of Christian artists who are growing in faith, creativity, and purpose.

👉 Click here. It’s free. It’s faith-filled. And it’s just for you.

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