The Thriving Christian Artist
The Thriving Christian Artist
The Top 4 Myths Holding Back Artists
Unlock the key to artistic success beyond mere talent as we shatter myths holding artists back with insights from my own 30-year journey. What if your mindset and heart are the true determinants of your creative success, not your skill alone? Join me, Matt Tommey, as I guide you through a transformative episode of the Thriving Christian Artist Podcast. We'll break down myths, such as the belief that extraordinary talent is essential for success, and replace them with truths about the power of consistent effort, learning, and growth. By embracing personal development and seeking feedback, you can conquer imposter syndrome and fully unleash your artistic potential, as inspired by biblical insights and practical experiences.
Then, discover the profound impact of partnering with God in your creative journey and the balance between divine trust and practical action. We'll explore how setting clear goals, making plans, and taking consistent steps can align with God's guidance to propel your art forward. You'll learn the importance of embracing your unique journey, recognizing your divinely crafted purpose, and thriving within a supportive community. Together, we'll journey towards breaking free from myths and embracing the destiny God has for your art. Connect with our community for ongoing inspiration and remember—you are created to thrive as an artist in His kingdom.
Join us inside the Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program at http://www.matttommeymentoring.com/artmentor
Welcome to the Thriving Christian Artist, the podcast, where we hope you connect with God to bust through the roadblocks that have held you back for years, create the work you love and really live the life you know. God created you to live as an artist in His kingdom. I'm Matt Tommey, your host. Let's get started. Well, hey, my friends, so glad you're back with me on the Thriving Christian Artist Podcast. I'm Matt Tommy, your host, and super glad that you're here.
Speaker 1:You know, in my own life as an artist over 30 years and also mentoring thousands of artists since 2009, both through books and my mentoring program and all that sort of thing, I've realized that really success as an artist has very little to do with how good your art is and really has everything to do with what's going on internally in your mindset, in your heart and mind. You know the Bible says a man thinks in his heart. As a person thinks in their heart, so is he in their hearts, so is he. That is, whatever is on the outside of your life is simply the fruit of what's going on on the inside and so much of what makes artists successful and also what makes artists really get stuck and stay roadblocked in their life and unable to really step into the things God has for them, is not anything to do with their talent or their abilities artistically. It is absolutely what's going on inside. Because, again, what you're seeing and what I'm seeing in our lives externally is the fruit of what's going on internally. And I learned a long time ago in my life and listen, I don't do this perfectly, but it's something that I'm striving toward every day with the Lord. I learned that if I want to change my life externally, even in the practical things the way I feel, the way I talk, the way I handle money, the way I show up as an artist, the way I'm creating, the way I interact with people if I want to change those things and the way that I see life and see possibilities, it all has to start on the inside.
Speaker 1:You know, I've noticed that there are four myths that artists really tend to embrace that are not giving them the results in their life that they really want. There are things that I've believed over the years and had to come out of agreement with, and I think that, if you're honest, probably one or maybe more, or maybe all of these are things that maybe you have been frustrated with in your life as well. Maybe they're myths that you believed and you've been reaping the fruit of that in your life and you're like, oh, hopefully today is gonna help you understand the truth about these myths and really begin to understand how to unpack and dismantle that thing in your life so that you can really step into all that God has for you. You know, the first myth that I hear from a lot of artists and maybe people don't say this, but I know that they feel it internally the myth is that I am not really talented enough, I'm not a good enough artist. I don't say this, but I know that they feel it internally. The myth is that I am not really talented enough, I'm not a good enough artist. I don't really have what it takes to be the artist that God's called me to be, to be able to sell my work, to be able to make an impact, to be able to leave a job that I hate and actually spend time, energy and focus on doing this thing as an artist.
Speaker 1:A lot of artists believe that they've got to. You know, have this extraordinary way out of the box talent, this sort of innate ability to succeed and this fear of not being good enough and this imposter syndrome kind of thing. It paralyzes them from the very get go and it really stops most artists from even being able to get started or, if they are getting started, it continually shuts them down through self-sabotage or even wanting to be able to improve because they just realize or they believe that it's not even possible. The truth is for all of us that talent and innate ability is really just a starting point. But skill and success and your artistic abilities, those don't just happen magically. They don't just come, as you know, just boom, here it is. They come through taking the investment that God's given you and given that thing consistent effort and learning and growth and attention and focus in your life over time and as you learn to practice and get feedback and persevere through the hard times, and you know those are the things that really allow your skill to develop. You know, in Exodus 31, if you've heard me talk about this, you know heard me talk at all. You've heard me talk about Exodus 31 and this role I believe that Bezalel shows us of being an artist that is both filled with the Spirit of God and skilled in every manner of work and worship. It's not either or it's both.
Speaker 1:I know for me, as I started really growing, wanting to grow as an artist, you know I didn't give much thought to my skills or whatever. I just kind of was what I call an ENT artist. I did it every now and then. I enjoyed it. I thought I was good, as I wanted to be, but I never really gave a lot of focus to getting really, really good. Well, when I got into Asheville and I started being around other artists who were really great, I immediately had imposter syndrome. I was like, oh my God, can I even compete? But you know what? I was able to set that to the side through internal work with the Lord, through also realizing what he had for me.
Speaker 1:Also walking with some other artists in my life who were encouraging and they started saying, hey, just because you're making ugly baskets now doesn't mean you have to make ugly baskets forever. Just because you don't know how to work with metal now doesn't mean you don't have to know how to work with metal forever. There are things that you can do in order to improve that. And as I leaned into that, I started realizing wow, just because I come to the table not feeling talented or as skilled as I need to be doesn't mean that I have to stay there, and in very short order, by leaning into that process in my own life, I saw the Lord really, really honor that. And so faith, not only in the Lord but also in who God's created us to be and what he's called us to do, that we're fearfully and wonderfully made, that gives us the strength and the focus to be able to continue in all that God has called us to, so for you and for me, every day. I just find that committing to daily practice in my skills, showing up in the studio on a regular basis, is a huge part of breaking through that myth that you're not talented enough, you know.
Speaker 1:The second one that I see a lot of people get overwhelmed with is this idea that if I'm going to be a successful artist, I got to do everything myself. And so they start thinking, oh my gosh, not only do I have to create, I got to make, I got to sell, I got to market, I got to go to shows, I got to just all this sort of thing, and it leads to this experience of burnout and disorganization and even feelings of paralyzation. But you know what I've learned in my own life and what we teach in the mentoring program is that success in an art business most of the time comes as you learn to focus on the right things at the right time and you can learn shortcuts and tricks and hacks that that other people have done that you may not know about. That's the beauty of being in a community like created to thrive being able to learn from somebody like me and others who have or walk in this journey, who have been in business, who know how to run a successful art business, who know the things that that actually work and actually don't, who know tools and tricks and techniques and processes that can make life easier. You know, I really believe and I know you do too that God designed us not to do this thing alone but to really thrive and grow in community, not in isolation.
Speaker 1:And man again, the enemy wants to show up right there in the middle of that lie, saying you got to do everything. It's all up to you If it's going to be, it's up to me. He wants to put you into a place of isolation rather than bringing you into community and allowing you to grow through the experience of others. You know, learning how to seek help and invest in relationships and resources. That's not a weakness. That doesn't mean that you don't know what you're doing. That's a strength. That's the smartest thing that you can do is, as quickly as possible, know and learn what you don't know and connect with those who do, so that you can shorten the process and ease the learning process for yourself, so that you can get on into the things that God's called you to.
Speaker 1:And so if I had to encourage you in one action step with that this week, I would say listen, identify an area in your life that you know you need help in, whether it's your art practice, whether it's marketing, whether it's learning to talk to people, whatever it is identify that area and then take a step this week to get help. Maybe you join the mentoring program. Maybe you find somebody in your area that you know is an expert that you can reach out. Maybe you join an artist group in your area. Maybe you outsource a task that's been really frustrating you to an expert, instead of you trying to learn something from the ground up. Whatever you do, get rid of this idea that it's all up to you. Use the network of knowledge and wisdom that God has brought you into in your life. It makes a huge, huge difference. Now, these last two, I think, kind of go together.
Speaker 1:But the third myth I would say that I hear a lot is this notion that you know, if I make great art, if I just stay in my studio, then the right people are going to find me at the right time. And the other one is you know well, if it's God's will for me to succeed, for my art to is. You know well, if it's God's will for me to succeed, for my art to succeed, you know he's going to make it happen. Just sort of this idea that all we have to do is stay in the studio and create art and that somehow, magically, success is just going to happen. Listen, that is one of the quickest ways for you to fuel this starving artist reality in your life and get really, really frustrated. And what it causes you to do is become really, really passive in your own art development, in your own art sharing and art marketing.
Speaker 1:You know the truth is for us, as believers, that God calls us to cooperate with him in bringing about his will in our life. Proverbs 16, 9 says in his heart, a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. So there's always this relationship between us planning and taking action as the way that we honor the Lord and honor the gifting he's put in our life and, at the same time, trusting him, knowing that when we show up faithful, he's going to show up faithful to guide and direct our steps. But part of that practicality is realizing that, hey, for your art to get out there, you're going to have to be intentional about marketing and connecting with people. You're going to have to be intentional about sharing your work on social media and going to shows and talking to gallery owners and, you know, talking to potential clients and having a website and doing all the stuff One doesn't.
Speaker 1:You know, doing all of that doesn't mean that you trust the Lord. It means that you're doing your part and giving God ground, if you will, to be able to bless, for, for giving him something to, to blow his spirit over and and through in order to lead you in the ways that he wants to lead you at the right time is. I want to encourage you, you know, this week if you're really struggling with that idea of should I do it or should God do it, listen, take a moment to pray about that and write down one clear goal that you have for your art. Not 100, not 10, just one thing. What's one thing that you believe would be a next step for you, a next logical step, a next best step for you to take this week in your art? Write it down, commit it to the Lord. The Bible says commit your ways to the Lord and they'll succeed. And then start taking steps toward that to make it happen.
Speaker 1:Again, you don't have to do everything. You don't have to make the thing happen all at once. Just take one small step, do one small thing in order to be able to accomplish the thing that God's called you to and you know what? As you do that, begin to look for him, begin to look for favor, begin to look for opportunity, begin to look for divine appointments. Because, guess what, as you plan your way and as you start taking steps, that's when the Holy Spirit engages and begins to direct you and lead you on the process. It's not about you just sitting back and him just taking you to everything. It's the it's again cooperative journey that you're taking with the Lord.
Speaker 1:Listen, I think, for for all of these, this I'm not talented enough, this I have to do everything myself. This you know. If it's God's will, you know it's going to just happen. I don't have to do anything If you can bust through those myths and really understand the truth. That, hey, success comes through not only trust in the Lord, but also consistent effort and growth. That you've got to collaborate and get the support that you need on your journey, that intentional connection with people that need to know about your art. That's how your art grows. And we cooperate with the Lord through planning and action, at the same time that we're trusting him to guide our steps. That's how you get momentum. That's how you start getting traction in your life.
Speaker 1:My friend, I would love to know which one of these resonates the most with you. If you want to comment on one of our social media posts or leave me a review and let me know here on the podcast, I would absolutely love that. And also, if you're starting to realize, man, there's so much that I need help with, there's so much that I don't know. I would love some help along the way. We'd love to have you as a part of the Creative to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program so that you can start gaining the clarity and support and confidence that you need in your life as the artist that God created you to be.
Speaker 1:I love you, my friend. Remember. Your creative journey, just like mine, is uniquely yours, and God has a purpose and a plan for your art, and together we can see that plan come to fruition in your life. I love you, my friend. Thanks for being with me and remember till next time you were created to thrive. Bye, hey. Thanks so much for spending a few minutes with me today on the podcast Listen. I hope it's been a huge encouragement to you on your journey as an artist. Hey, also, before you leave, make sure to hit the subscribe button so you don't miss any of the other episodes of the Thriving Christian Artist podcast, and also be sure to connect with me on Facebook, instagram or at my website, which is matttommymentoringcom. Until next time, remember. You were created to thrive. Bye-bye, thank you.