To be an Artist Warrior is to be a consistent creator, supporter and protector — a warrior for creating beauty. Art is a ministry of love.
Do not take up this challenge lightly.
Artists are conduits of creation. To bring ideas and emotions into form you must release the comfort of routine, the 5 o’clock bell to end work. You will skip meals, forget to flush the toilet, and enter the realm of a humbled, Spirit-led life.
Friendships may end, people will mock, doubt will pull you to stop and give it up. Yet…
Hope remains, while the heart is true. True to what, true to Whom? That brings us to the question that will save you in the end:
Why do you want to create?
For the love of money or glamour? If so, thank you for reading this far and go have a nice day. We are all too aware now for that shallow thinking.
Dig in…deep. Behind mind and heart and soul — to your spirit.
Fair warning, I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came to earth as a man to die for our sins and that walking and living in His gift of the Holy Spirit, is the only way to live and create anything. Through Him we have the promise of eternal life. Without Him, we are nothing and destined for destruction.
Art is one of the fastest ways to shine God’s light, joy and wonder to the world. Good art bypasses the mind and goes straight to the heart — where beauty can be felt and experienced. Art that is loved and lived with, becomes a part of our conversation to encourage hearts to change.
If you’re on the fence about God, or don’t think you’re creating with His help, where do you think your gift comes from then?
I learned the hard way and wasted lots of time, so here’s your truth shortcut: If you have a gift and desire to create, you’ll experience true success in all areas of your life and art when you admit that it’s not all you and surrender it all to Jesus Christ. Give Him all of it, the mess and the stuff you think is good.
Art ministers to the human spirit.
Art ministers to the human spirit. Like breathing, it brings life into what you do with your time and your hands. A creative dinner plate makes the food look and taste better, and even a new coat of paint on your car makes you feel better when you get behind the wheel. Art inspires hope that others can see and leads to the faith behind the hope, that our invisible Father in heaven sees us and loves us. He creates beauty with us and through us.
In the darkest spaces, art creates light.
Now more than ever, art has the ability to cross boundaries in language, religion and culture.
The power to touch to grief, anger and shame and in their place invite wonder, joy, hope and love.
When you create under the torchlight of God’s power and grace, you’ll blaze an unstoppable path of creativity and transformation.
Stop wasting time.
It doesn’t matter if the glass is half full or half empty – drink it and get on with it!
Got the wrong brush to paint with, get out the scissors and trim it or use your hands.
No paint? Use pencil, clay, beet juice, use your voice, your smile!
Be Uncomfortable.
Toss the couch cushions and the remote.
Record your poem where it isn’t perfect – while you commute.
Sketch while you wait – for anything.
Take your art seriously and train like a warrior!
To explode your voice through creativity all over the world – you’ve got to be ready.
To support and ignite the creative spark in others, you have to be consistent.
Find your deeper reason.
Make your art be an answer to the children who are shooed away by bored adults who tell them, “It’s just picture’s honey, let’s go.”
Show those who feel helpless and paralyzed by circumstances or experiences, those whose gifts are frozen, their dreams in danger of crumbling like dust – show them it’s possible.
Show them your art, the tiniest spark of beauty, that inspires hope that lights the pilot light in their heart, like the flower coming up through the crack in the pavement – your art will make a difference – if only to plant the seed.
Release yourself from the outcome.
Do your work, share and move on. You cannot make someone see or believe or buy.
Share your best work, understanding that everything communicates and do it again the next day.
When you do your art, it makes an impact, whether you see it or not.
It might start small like the butterfly wing and it may first be only felt in your own heart.
Continue with it and your impact will deepen into a dent, your dent – and like a golf ball – the world needs lots of dents to fly far.
Start like an athlete
Start with the word of God daily and align your mind with Jesus. Eat healthy, drink clean water, get sleep, take care of your temple (your body), walk in faith and be diligent in your habits to support your best work for His glory.
Dig your toe in at the starting line and GO!
Keep moving.
A painting is paint on a brush that kept moving. Discouragement, self-sabotage, resistance and all related entities are the enemy. “Submit (humble) yourself before God and the enemy will flee.” James 4:7 — Deny them like sugar on a diet and pursue your mission.
Remember why you began.
Continually renew your commitment to sharing your gift. Before you can create well, feed your faith in your Creator by reading the word, praying and walking it out. Your purpose through art is to share the path to eternal life. The good news is that He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
It all comes down to free will and our daily choices.
What’s next?
Love art, but not sure about God? Jesus is coming sooner than we think, so I hope you’ll consider choosing His path. You’re welcome here!
Ready to claim your place as an artist and not sure how, grab your free mini-course