The Thriving Christian Artist

Matt Tommey: Artist, Best-Selling Author, Speaker, Entrepreneur and Artist Mentor

The official podcast of internationally recognized artist, speaker, author and mentor Matt Tommey. The Thriving Christian Artist Podcast is for artists who want to bust through roadblocks that have held them back for years, create the art they love and live the life the they know God created them to live as an artist in His Kingdom.

  • 8 minutes 50 seconds
    What Happens When You Say "Yes" To Your Creative Calling

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    What would change if you stopped playing it safe and said a full, unapologetic yes to your creative calling? We unpack the five shifts that begin the moment you surrender the hustle and create from identity: peace replaces pressure, favor opens doors, your art becomes an encounter, provision flows with integrity, and fresh ideas arrive on demand. Along the way, we share stories from the studio, practical steps to steward your gift, and scriptures that ground the journey without turning creativity into performance.

    We talk candidly about moving from striving to sonship—the difference between creating for approval and creating from love. You’ll hear how opportunities start aligning when you stop tweaking the algorithm and start honoring your gift, why collectors and collaborators respond to clarity, and how your work can carry presence without turning preachy. We dig into pricing with dignity, shedding guilt about profit, and building simple systems that support flow: daily rhythms, capture habits, and creative rest that multiplies output instead of draining it.

    There’s also a vital warning: pushback often shows up right when momentum builds. We name the common forms—doubt, distractions, tech glitches—and share tools to keep going. Then we point to the secret multiplier: community. When artists run with artists who share faith, craft, and courage, resilience rises and isolation loses its grip. If you’re ready to trade anxiety for alignment and let your studio become a place of peace, favor, and transformation, this conversation is your map.

    If this spoke to you, subscribe, share it with an artist friend, and leave a review to help others find the show. Ready to lay a solid foundation? Check out the foundations course and join a global community of artists on the same journey.

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

    Subscribe to The Thriving Christian Artist Weekly and receive powerful, faith-filled content every week—designed to encourage your heart, spark your creativity, and equip you to walk boldly in your God-given calling as an artist.

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

    10 February 2026, 5:00 pm
  • 40 minutes 58 seconds
    5 Biblical Principles To Transform Your Creative Life

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    Pressure isn’t a prerequisite for great art. We walk through five biblical principles that turn the studio into a sacred place of connection, courage, and craft: abiding in the vine, receiving creativity as a gift, offering your work back to God, marrying Spirit with skill, and rooting identity in Christ so risk becomes a runway instead of a cliff. These aren’t abstract ideas; they’re battle-tested rhythms that have reshaped decades of creative work and helped thousands of artists find freedom, focus, and fruit.

    We start with John 15 and the relief of creating as a connected branch rather than a lone tree. From there, we reframe the studio as a dwelling place, not just a workspace, where worship and work mingle and fruit flows naturally. Romans 12:1 guides us to see art as worship—whether your calling is personal devotion, ministry, or the marketplace—so results no longer determine value. Then we explore the “two wings” from Exodus 31: being filled with the Spirit and skilled in the craft. Excellence becomes love made visible, a carrier of presence that honors the message instead of competing with it.

    Identity changes everything. When worth is secured in Christ, exploration gets bolder and mistakes lose their sting. We talk through the mindset shifts that free you to try, iterate, and grow without fear of losing yourself. Finally, we anchor the journey in perseverance. Galatians 6 and James 1 promise harvest to those who keep showing up, even when progress feels slow. Consistency beats intensity, small wins compound, and God works in both process and product to form you for greater things.

    If these principles stirred something in you, subscribe, leave a review, and share this with a creative friend who needs fresh hope. Ready to build these rhythms with support? Join our Created to Thrive Foundations course—nine lessons, daily projects, and a community of Christian artists walking this path together.

    Find out more about The Created to Thrive Foundations Course 

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

    Subscribe to The Thriving Christian Artist Weekly and receive powerful, faith-filled content every week—designed to encourage your heart, spark your creativity, and equip you to walk boldly in your God-given calling as an artist.

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

    6 February 2026, 4:00 pm
  • 8 minutes 20 seconds
    The Gap Between Your Creative Calling & Confidence

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    What if the reason your art feels heavy isn’t skill, time, or tools—but the story you believe about your worth? We explore how a subtle “orphan mindset” drives perfectionism and fear, and how a renewed mind frees you to create from love rather than grinding for approval. The goal isn’t hype or hustle. It’s a grounded identity that makes room for joy, risk, and real growth in the studio.

    We start by naming the gap: many artists trust that God is Creator and giver of gifts, yet sit down to paint or write and feel pressure instead of peace. That mismatch reveals an inner script—if the art fails, I’m a failure—that sabotages confidence. We unpack Romans 12:2 as a practical roadmap to change the script, moving from working for love to working from love. From there, we show how identity reshapes craft: you take bolder risks, experiment with curiosity, and price your work with clarity because you’re offering a gift, not begging for validation.

    You’ll learn a simple alignment check to use the moment pressure rises: step back, breathe, ask God what He says about you and your piece, and speak that truth aloud. This small practice breaks perfectionism in real time and restores focus. We also map a larger reset—think of it like upgrading your creative operating system—so your defaults become peace, presence, and freedom rather than anxiety and comparison. Along the way, we share personal lessons, practical reframes, and a gentle invitation to a nine-week foundations course designed to help you renew your mind, dismantle lies, and build a thriving artist identity.

    If this resonates, hit play, try the alignment check, and share your experience. For a deeper reset, follow the link to the foundations course and start building on bedrock. Subscribe, leave a review, and pass this to an artist who needs a lighter, freer way to create.

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

    Subscribe to The Thriving Christian Artist Weekly and receive powerful, faith-filled content every week—designed to encourage your heart, spark your creativity, and equip you to walk boldly in your God-given calling as an artist.

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

    3 February 2026, 5:00 pm
  • 25 minutes 26 seconds
    Seven Proven Ways Artists Are Earning More Now

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    Feeling buried under shifting algorithms and scattershot advice? We’re pulling back the curtain on seven strategies that actually generated income for artists this year—backed by hundreds of survey responses from our mentoring community. The theme is clear: simple systems, strong relationships, and consistent action beat hacks every time.

    We start with teaching as a reliable income engine that builds trust and turns students into collectors—through weekly classes, small workshops, retreats, and Zoom. From there, we explore strategic partnerships that put your work in front of buyers without constant hustling: galleries, juried shows, exhibitions, and public art commissions with real budgets. You’ll hear why commissions remain a powerhouse when you lead with clarity—tiered pricing, letters of understanding, timelines—and how a healthy waitlist can raise your perceived value and stabilize cash flow.

    The backbone of it all is referral-driven selling. Visibility tools help, but people close deals. We outline how to cultivate designers, builders, gallery owners, and peers so you’re the obvious recommendation when art is needed. Along the way, we unpack a counterintuitive win: small, high-touch experiences outperformed big events for profit and joy. Fewer seats, deeper connection, premium pricing—less burnout, better outcomes. We also make a case for the slow power of consistency over raw talent and show how deliberate skill development—critiques, classes, mentorship—translates directly into higher-value sales and a stronger portfolio.

    If you’re ready to simplify, focus, and sell with integrity, this conversation gives you a practical roadmap you can start today. Pick two or three strategies, stack them with intention, and let relationships, structure, and steady practice compound your results. Subscribe for more artist business training, share this with a friend who needs clarity, and leave a review to tell us which strategy you’ll try next.

    Learn more about the Created to Thrive Essentials Course at https://www.matttommeymentoring.com/essentials

    Find out more about The Created to Thrive Foundations Course 

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

    Subscribe to The Thriving Christian Artist Weekly and receive powerful, faith-filled content every week—designed to encourage your heart, spark your creativity, and equip you to walk boldly in your God-given calling as an artist.

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

    27 January 2026, 8:00 pm
  • 12 minutes 40 seconds
    The Humility Trap

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    Ever felt that promoting your art might steal glory from God? We tackle that honest tension head-on and show how scripture frames visibility as faithful stewardship, not self-promotion. Starting with a student’s heartfelt question about signing her cards, we trace the quiet slide from obedience into paralysis and uncover the fear hiding beneath “humble” language.

    We walk through Exodus 31 to meet Bezalel—named, filled with the Spirit, and publicly entrusted with skill, wisdom, and understanding. Then we look at Asaph, a creative whose authorship gathers generations, and we hear Jesus say plainly: a city on a hill cannot be hidden. If lamps belong on stands, your art belongs in the light. That doesn’t mean striving or chasing applause; it means aligning with your calling so others can see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

    You’ll learn a clear test to spot fear dressed as spirituality and a practical step to break it: sign one piece boldly and share the story behind it. We pray for freedom from false humility and invite you to renew your mind as an artist who creates from identity, purity, presence, and praise. If you’ve been shrinking back to “protect” God’s glory, this conversation reorients your heart toward agreement—where confidence grows, creativity flows, and impact multiplies.

    If this resonates, subscribe, share with a creative friend, and tell us the one piece you’ll sign and post this week. And if you want to go deeper into biblical identity and creative freedom, join our Foundations course linked below. Your light was made to be seen—what will you share today?

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

    Subscribe to The Thriving Christian Artist Weekly and receive powerful, faith-filled content every week—designed to encourage your heart, spark your creativity, and equip you to walk boldly in your God-given calling as an artist.

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

    21 January 2026, 3:00 pm
  • 13 minutes 10 seconds
    5 Steps to Rewire Your Brain for Creativity

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    What if mind renewal wasn’t abstract advice but a concrete, daily rhythm that rewires your creative life? We dig into Romans 12:2 and show how a Spirit-led process can transform the inner story you believe, so your art flows from peace instead of pressure and from calling instead of comparison. This isn’t motivational fluff. It’s a practical blueprint for partnering with the Holy Spirit to change how you think, decide, and create.

    We walk through the Five R’s—Recognize, Repent, Replace, Reinforce, Rejoice—and explain why each step matters for artists who face resistance, self-doubt, and perfectionism. You’ll learn how to catch limiting thoughts, align your agreements with Scripture, and install a new “operating system” using passages like Ephesians 2:10 and 2 Corinthians 3:5. As you repeat truth and practice daily gratitude, you signal safety to your nervous system, which quiets fear and opens space for curiosity and creative flow. We connect this spiritual rhythm to brain science: when the amygdala calms, risk becomes possible and imagination wakes up.

    By the end, you’ll have a simple daily assignment to begin renewing your mind and reshaping your creative process. Expect practical outcomes: pricing work without panic, sharing without chasing approval, and meeting resistance as a growth cue. Same hands, same skill, new inner narrative—leading to bolder choices and richer art rooted in identity, not insecurity.

    If this sparked something in you, subscribe for more teaching on faith, creativity, and mindset. Share this with an artist who needs a hopeful reset, and leave a review to tell us which of the Five R’s you’ll practice first.

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

    Subscribe to The Thriving Christian Artist Weekly and receive powerful, faith-filled content every week—designed to encourage your heart, spark your creativity, and equip you to walk boldly in your God-given calling as an artist.

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

    13 January 2026, 10:00 am
  • 12 minutes 44 seconds
    5 Biblical Declarations To Break Shame And Build Unshakable Identity In Christ

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    What if your creative breakthrough isn’t about striving harder, but about believing what’s already true about you? We explore five bold declarations from Scripture that dismantle shame, silence the inner critic, and help you create from a place of freedom, not fear. From the prodigal’s robe to the authority of being seated with Christ, you’ll hear a clear path to rebuild identity and align your art with God’s heart.

    We start with restoration—full, generous, immediate—not a probationary return. Then we dig into adoption and delight, the difference between being barely forgiven and being joyfully welcomed into a family. You’ll hear how new creation identity and the Spirit’s equipping end the cycle of waiting for permission or perfect conditions. Resistance still comes, but we reframe the battle: not fighting for victory, but creating from victory, with stamina and peace. Finally, we talk about carrying light—how your presence and practice shift atmospheres, open hearts, and invite hope without forcing a message.

    You’ll get a powerful daily affirmation to speak over your life and a free 31-day guide to renew your mind with Scripture-driven declarations: https://thrive.matttommeymentoring.com/31-biblical-affirmations 

    If you’re a Christian artist longing for clarity, courage, and creative flow, this conversation will help you stand firm in who you are and why you’re here—so your work can reflect heaven with honesty and excellence. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs encouragement, and leave a comment with the declaration you’ll start practicing today.

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

    Subscribe to The Thriving Christian Artist Weekly and receive powerful, faith-filled content every week—designed to encourage your heart, spark your creativity, and equip you to walk boldly in your God-given calling as an artist.

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

    7 January 2026, 4:00 pm
  • 12 minutes 11 seconds
    Why Your Art Makes God Smile Every Time

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    Get Your 31 Biblical Affirmations for Christian Artists: https://thrive.matttommeymentoring.com/31-biblical-affirmations 

    What if your studio time is the place God loves to meet you most? We explore a life-giving shift for creatives of faith: your art brings God joy not because it’s perfect, but because it reflects His image, welcomes His presence, and flows from desires He planted in you.

    We start with identity. You’re made in the image of a Creator who imagines and forms—so when you create, you mirror His heart. A tender story about a father and son in the studio reframes God’s posture toward your work: delight over measurement, presence over performance. That lens begins to heal the pressure many of us carry from teachers, leaders, or inner critics, and it restores the simple joy of showing up to make.

    From there we dig into process. God cares more about being with you than the product you produce. Scriptures like James 1:17 and Zephaniah’s song over us replace the voice of a taskmaster with a Father who rejoices. The studio becomes a sacred meeting place, not a factory. We talk about creative flow as grace in motion—joining what God is already doing so your work feels lighter, freer, and more aligned with how you’re designed.

    Finally, we tackle desire and trust. Psalm 37:4 and the promise of a new heart in Christ invite you to believe that your creative passions aren’t random or suspect. Double-mindedness breeds paralysis, but trusting Spirit-shaped desires brings clarity and courage. You’ll hear practical encouragement to drop striving, step into your practice with faith, and watch joy return as you create from overflow.

    If this speaks to you, share it with an artist who needs freedom today, subscribe for more encouragement, and leave a review to help others find the show. Then tell us: where do you most sense God’s pleasure when you create?

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

    Subscribe to The Thriving Christian Artist Weekly and receive powerful, faith-filled content every week—designed to encourage your heart, spark your creativity, and equip you to walk boldly in your God-given calling as an artist.

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

    30 December 2025, 11:00 am
  • 40 minutes 22 seconds
    5 Encouraging Bible Verses Every Christian Artist Needs

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    Get Your 31 Biblical Affirmations for Christian Artists: https://thrive.matttommeymentoring.com/31-biblical-affirmations 

    What if the pressure to prove yourself isn’t part of God’s plan for your creative life? We walk through a simple, Scriptural process to leave perfectionism, comparison, and anxiety behind and step into a new kingdom way of creating—one rooted in mind renewal, daily partnership with the Holy Spirit, and bold, faithful action.

    We start with the anchor: Romans 12:2 and the daily practice of renewing your mind. From there, we unpack five core Scriptures every Christian artist can memorize and declare. Colossians 1:13 reframes your identity—you’ve been transferred out of darkness, so your art no longer has to live under scarcity or performance. John 10:27 promises guidance—“My sheep know my voice”—so decisions in the studio and business can flow from listening instead of guessing. 2 Timothy 1:7 breaks the fear loop with power, love, and a sound mind, giving you courage to choose and move. Philippians 4:13 restores confidence that you can do what God actually calls you to do because His strength meets you in the work. And 2 Peter 1:3–4 shatters the starving-artist myth: through knowing Him and embracing His promises, you already have everything needed for life and godliness.

    Along the way, we share practical ways to live this out: simple pre‑studio prayers, daily declarations that rewire your inner narrative, and a “next faithful step” approach to projects, pricing, and promotion. Expect an honest look at common mental traps—feeling behind, chasing trends, or stalling for perfect clarity—and clear tools to replace them with peace, listening, and steady momentum.

    If you’re ready to shift from frantic hustle to fruitful flow, this conversation will help you align your heart with truth, hear God’s voice, and create from love instead of for love. Subscribe for more episodes that blend spiritual formation with practical creative strategy, and share this with a friend who needs the reminder: you’re not behind—you’re being led.

    Find out more about The Created to Thrive Foundations Course 

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

    Subscribe to The Thriving Christian Artist Weekly and receive powerful, faith-filled content every week—designed to encourage your heart, spark your creativity, and equip you to walk boldly in your God-given calling as an artist.

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

    23 December 2025, 11:00 am
  • 14 minutes 48 seconds
    Why the Great Masters Never Worried If Their Art Was 'Christian Enough' (And Why You Shouldn't Either)

    Send us a text

    Foundations Course just $27: https://www.matttommeymentoring.com/foundations

    Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program: https://www.matttommeymentoring.com/artmentor

    Books for Christian Artists: https://www.matttommeymentoring.com/resources

    UncleMatt AI: https://www.unclematt.ai 

    Thriving Christian Artist Newsletter: https://thrive.matttommeymentoring.com/tca-weekly-yt 

    5 Simple Steps to Create Art with the Holy Spirit
    https://youtu.be/27AyW_sVSeE

    Are you carrying the burden of making your art "Christian enough"? Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Bach, and Vermeer never worried about this—and in this video, I'll show you why you shouldn't either.

    Most Christian artists today carry two crushing yokes: the pressure to make their art evangelistic and the pressure to make it financially successful. These burdens steal your joy, block the Holy Spirit, and distort the very purpose of creativity.

    Jesus said, "Take my yoke upon you... For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30). The great masters understood this deeply—they created from intimacy with God, not from striving or performance.

    Drawing on Scripture and the profound teachings of theologian H.R. Rookmaaker, I'll help you discover how art becomes sacred not because of its message, but because of Who you create it with.

    ✨ THE TRUTH: Your art carries God's presence because YOU carry God's presence. When you create with the Holy Spirit, everything you make becomes an act of worship—whether it "looks Christian" or not.

    "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31)

    Ready to experience true creative freedom in Christ? Join our thriving community of Christian artists at [your community link]

    📖 RESOURCES MENTIONED:
    - H.R. Rookmaaker's "Art Needs No Justification"
    - Matthew 11:28-30 (The Easy Yoke)
    - 1 Corinthians 10:31 (All for God's Glory)

    #ChristianArtist #FaithAndCreativity #CreatingWithGod #ChristianCreativity #ArtAndFaith

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

    Subscribe to The Thriving Christian Artist Weekly and receive powerful, faith-filled content every week—designed to encourage your heart, spark your creativity, and equip you to walk boldly in your God-given calling as an artist.

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

    16 December 2025, 11:00 am
  • 15 minutes 51 seconds
    5 Steps to Create Art With The Holy Spirit (My Exact Process)

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    What if your most inspired work begins the moment you stop trying to force it? We explore a simple, relational process for creating with the Holy Spirit—one that replaces pressure with presence, anxiety with trust, and burnout with sustainable, joyful flow.

    We start by naming the trap many creative believers fall into: overcomplicating the process and second-guessing every nudge. From there, we share a practical framework built on five pillars. First, create by faith, not by feelings—show up before inspiration arrives and let trust unlock momentum. Next, prepare your heart by assuming connection; God’s already with you, so the studio becomes a sacred space rather than a performance stage. Then, let worship set the atmosphere. Music, gratitude, and prayer soften the heart and increase awareness so you can hear and respond with freedom.

    The turning point comes with learning to notice what God highlights. Instead of waiting for step-by-step instructions, pay attention to textures, colors, materials, and ideas that feel alive. The Holy Spirit often leads by attraction and peace, not only directives. Finally, follow the peace. Keep going when the flow is alive, and pause when it lifts. That pause isn’t quitting; it’s wisdom that protects joy and keeps your creativity from becoming grind. We close with a brief prayer and a simple daily practice: offer your work back to God like loaves and fishes, trusting Him to bless and multiply as He sees fit.

    If you’ve been craving clarity, confidence, and creative freedom in Christ, these steps will reshape your studio time and your art. Listen, take notes, and try the process this week—then tell us which step you’re leaning into. If this encouraged you, subscribe, share with a creative friend, and leave a review to help more artists find their way into a life-giving, Spirit-led creative flow.

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

    Subscribe to The Thriving Christian Artist Weekly and receive powerful, faith-filled content every week—designed to encourage your heart, spark your creativity, and equip you to walk boldly in your God-given calling as an artist.

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

    9 December 2025, 11:00 am
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