Matt Tommey: Artist, Best-Selling Author, Speaker, Entrepreneur and Artist Mentor
531 episodes
1 day ago
Send us a text What if the creative breakthrough you've been searching for isn't found in more techniques or strategies, but in learning to be still? In this soul-stirring episode, we explore how sacred stillness unlocks divine creativity in ways that constant striving never can. The tension between worldly pressure and spiritual flow creates a fascinating paradox for Christian artists. While culture pushes us to create faster, stay visible, and constantly perform, God whispers an invitation...
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Send us a text What if the creative breakthrough you've been searching for isn't found in more techniques or strategies, but in learning to be still? In this soul-stirring episode, we explore how sacred stillness unlocks divine creativity in ways that constant striving never can. The tension between worldly pressure and spiritual flow creates a fascinating paradox for Christian artists. While culture pushes us to create faster, stay visible, and constantly perform, God whispers an invitation...
Send us a text What if the creative breakthrough you've been searching for isn't found in more techniques or strategies, but in learning to be still? In this soul-stirring episode, we explore how sacred stillness unlocks divine creativity in ways that constant striving never can. The tension between worldly pressure and spiritual flow creates a fascinating paradox for Christian artists. While culture pushes us to create faster, stay visible, and constantly perform, God whispers an invitation...
Send us a text What if the creative ruts you keep experiencing aren't just "part of the process" but actually fear-based barriers preventing you from fulfilling your God-given purpose as an artist? Fear whispers that you're not talented enough, that it's too late, that your work doesn't matter—but these whispers aren't coming from your Creator. God has empowered you with a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind, not a spirit of fear. When you understand this truth, everything about yo...
Send us a text Have you ever sensed something greater than yourself flowing through your creative process? That feeling isn't just your imagination—it's an invitation to recognize and collaborate with the Holy Spirit as you create. For Christian artists, creativity isn't merely self-expression but a sacred conversation with our Creator. This divine partnership transforms not only what we make but who we are becoming. When we understand that our artistic impulses are often spiritual nudges, w...
Send us a text The still, small voice of God exists even in our chaotic, noisy world—but are you positioned to hear it? In this transformative episode, we tackle one of the most fundamental aspects of walking with God: learning to recognize and respond to His voice in everyday life. Many believers struggle with the concept that God wants to speak directly to them. Perhaps you've been taught that God only speaks through Scripture, or maybe past disappointments have left you skeptical. The tru...
Send us a text Creative breakthrough isn't just about what happens in your studio—it's about who surrounds you on the journey. For artists conditioned to figure everything out alone, this revelation can transform both your creative practice and your business. The most profound artistic growth emerges when we recognize that God designed us for connection. As Ecclesiastes reminds us, "Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor." This ancient wisdom applies powerful...
Send us a text Have you ever wondered what truly sets apart artists who thrive in both their creative practice and business? It's not extraordinary talent, prolific output, or insider connections. The real differentiator is their ability to create intentional invitations – opportunities for meaningful connection through their art, process, story, and values. When artists begin creating with connection deliberately in mind, a beautiful transformation occurs. This isn't just clever marketing; ...
Send us a text Gone are the days when artists could simply post pretty pictures and wait for sales to flow in. As we navigate 2025's social media landscape, one truth stands above all: authentic connection trumps content every time. The secret to transforming casual followers into passionate collectors lies not in algorithm hacks or perfect photos, but in genuine, heart-level connection. Today's art buyers crave more than beautiful creations – they want to know the person behind the art, to ...
Send us a text The moment your art leaves your studio, something remarkable happens. Beyond metrics and transactions, a supernatural exchange takes place—one that transforms atmospheres, touches hearts, and creates ripples in the spiritual realm. As we explore Matthew 5:14-16, we discover Jesus wasn't speaking metaphorically when He called us "the light of the world." For kingdom artists, this becomes a powerful commissioning: your creative expression isn't meant to be hidden away but strate...
Send us a text Ever felt guilty for "just playing around" in your studio when there are commissions to complete and deadlines to meet? What if those moments of joyful experimentation are actually essential to your artistic growth and spiritual journey? Drawing from my own artistic evolution, I share how seemingly random creative play—from fiddling with natural materials found while gardening to trying encaustic wax techniques—has repeatedly transformed my work in unexpected ways. These weren...
Send us a text The frustrating wall of creative emptiness hits every artist at some point - that moment when you walk into your studio excited to create, only to find nothing comes. But what if these creative blocks aren't random? What if they're signaling something deeper happening within you? Drawing from over three decades of artistic experience and mentoring countless creatives, Matt Tommey unpacks the three primary sources of creative blocks: spiritual issues, internal mental clutter, a...
Send us a text Daydreaming gets a bad rap, especially among creatives striving for focus and productivity. But what if that wandering mind could actually become your greatest creative asset? Science reveals our minds naturally wander nearly half our waking hours. For artists, this can feel like a frustrating distraction—yet there's a profound difference between harmful mind-wandering and intentional, holy imagination. This episode explores how shifting your daydreaming from anxious ruminatio...
Send us a text Have you ever wondered why singing worship songs or praying aloud makes you feel physically better? There's a fascinating neurological reason behind it, and it's all part of God's incredible design for your well-being. The vagus nerve—running from your brainstem through your face, vocal cords, heart, lungs, and digestive system—is your body's built-in peace activator. Research shows that singing and praying aloud are two of the most powerful ways to stimulate this nerve, relea...
Send us a text Ever felt that creative spark and wondered where it truly comes from? Your studio isn't just a workspace—it's potentially sacred ground where divine partnership happens. The concept of sacred creative spaces has deep biblical roots. In Exodus, we see artisans Bezalel and Oholiab filled with God's Spirit to create objects that would transmit His presence throughout their community. Like them, you've been gifted with creativity that flows directly from the Creator Himself. Wheth...
Send us a text Are you an ENT artist—creating Every Now and Then whenever inspiration strikes? You're not alone. After mentoring artists for over 16 years, I've discovered the critical difference between those who merely dabble and those who truly thrive isn't talent—it's consistent, intentional habits. The Core4 Focus Framework™ has transformed thousands of artists' lives, and today I'm breaking it down for you. First, Connect with God daily—not as a spiritual checkbox, but as the wellsprin...
Send us a text Your story matters—every bit of it. Not just the polished highlight reels we share on social media, but the beautiful parts, the broken moments, the victories, and even the chapters we'd rather erase. God intentionally crafted you as His masterpiece, designed with purpose and a unique story He delights in. When David wrote "I am fearfully and wonderfully made" in Psalm 139, he wasn't simply acknowledging basic human design. He was expressing awe at how intimately and intricate...
Send us a text The paralyzing fear of sharing your artwork might be the very thing keeping you from walking in your divine calling. Whether you've felt that rush of pride when completing a piece only to immediately want to hide it away, or you've struggled with thoughts like "I'm not ready yet" or "It's not perfect," you're experiencing what countless artists battle. But what if this fear isn't actually wisdom at all? Fear often wears the disguise of prudence, whispering seemingly reasonable...
Send us a text Comparison is perhaps the most pervasive challenge facing artists today, silently eroding confidence and stealing joy from the creative process. This episode tackles this universal struggle head-on, offering both spiritual wisdom and practical strategies to break free from the comparison trap. Drawing from Galatians 6:4-5, we explore the biblical perspective on comparison and discover a powerful truth: God has custom-designed your artistic journey unlike anyone else's. When we...
Send us a text Ever wonder if your artistic struggles mean you've missed God's calling? When marketing feels overwhelming, business challenges mount, and self-doubt creeps in, it's easy to question everything. I've walked this path myself—the last two years brought some of my biggest professional challenges as shifting markets and changing landscapes left me wondering if my trajectory had changed. These tactical troubles—marketing confusion, business overwhelm, inconsistent studio time, pric...
Send us a text The creative process isn't just something artists do on the side—it's the fundamental mechanism through which the kingdom of God operates. In this profound exploration of prophetic creativity, Matt Tommey shares revelatory insights from his 30+ years as both a professional artist and worship leader. Matt unpacks a transformative understanding of creativity as "seeing and agreeing"—perceiving what God is doing through the Holy Spirit and aligning our hearts with that movement. ...
Send us a text Fear can paralyze Christian artists, trapping them in a destructive pendulum swing between two extremes: the fear that God won't provide financially on one side, and the fear that success will breed pride and damage their relationship with God on the other. This powerful episode tackles this common struggle head-on, offering liberating truth for creatives caught in this cycle. Drawing from a thoughtful question submitted by a Foundations Course participant, Matt reveals how th...
Send us a text What if the creative breakthrough you've been searching for isn't found in more techniques or strategies, but in learning to be still? In this soul-stirring episode, we explore how sacred stillness unlocks divine creativity in ways that constant striving never can. The tension between worldly pressure and spiritual flow creates a fascinating paradox for Christian artists. While culture pushes us to create faster, stay visible, and constantly perform, God whispers an invitation...
