How God Speaks To Prophetic Artist Charlotte Smith

Charlotte Smith aka Caramia

What if your art was so powerful it made others cry? What if God Himself actually guided you through the creative process?

We briefly introduced you to the work of artist Charlotte “Caramia” Smith, but we had to share more of her story. In this interview, Charlotte shares with you how God actually allows her painting to take on a prophetic anointing (pay special attention to #3):

 1. Tell us who you are and what you do as an artist:

I am Charlotte Smith, married to a great husband, Charles Smith for 25 years, mother of 3 awesome boys. Also blessed to share in the raising of a dear little girl. I consider myself a prophetic Christian Artist. I paint mostly on wood panel with acrylics. I paint quickly and so I enjoy acrylics the most.
 

2. Now tell us about your artistic/creative background:

Momma and Baby II

I have always enjoyed creating and drawing. I began March, 2006 to paint. I was sitting in my Sunday School class when he gave me a vision of Peter horrified because of he had betrayed Christ. So many times I delay in doing what He says but that day I went immediately to buy the supplies I needed. I then procrastinated because it was not exactly a pretty picture to paint and because He had given me another vision several years earlier. I asked Him if I could paint that one first and He allowed that. That was my first Mother and Baby. I immediately knew who it belonged to but I asked God to confirm it. He told me that the one it moves is the owner. Immediately the next day my friend cried joyful tears and I knew it was hers. The thing that moved her the most was the way I signed the painting. I sign my paintings with, Caramia. After a time of great healing in my life I asked God for a new name. He gave me Caramia, which means, My Beloved. I have been painting ever since. I have done about 75 paintings. Some I have sold, some are becoming book covers and many I have given away. I also make prints of my paintings to sell.

3. What role does God play in your life and in your work?

God has used my art to bring me even closer to him. He has shown me an intimacy that has reminded me many times that I do hear Him and He hears me. When He inspires me to paint something I usually get a vision of the painting that seems to remain right in front of my face like a picture negative until I paint it. He will give me these visions when I am reading scripture or other Christian literature, in prayer, in interaction with others, and in many other ways. I have found that the paintings are prophetic. By this I mean that they usually simply tell the “truth”. They may highlight and explain a passage of scripture or show what is going on in a person’s life even when I have no clue. I had the sweetest situation with my friend Shirley Thomas. She asked me to paint a painting for her book cover, “Kisses From Momma”. It is a book about how God healed her after the sudden death of her son. I spent months contemplating the painting after God had given me the vision. In Oct. 2008 I felt this pressure and urgency to paint her painting. I couldn’t think of anything else. For 3 days all my spare time was spent finishing the painting. Finally when it was through I sent her a picture message from my phone because I couldn’t wait another moment to share it with her. I waited for her to respond and was disappointed after 20 minutes that she hadn’t. Finally I called her. She explained the reason that she hadn’t called was because she was trying to get herself together. She told me that the only way I could have known her heart for her son enough to express in the painting was that God had to have told me. She explained that she hadn’t even had the words to express them to her husband. After we hung up I went to my room and cried. I was so humbled that God would use me in that way. It was overwhelming to know that I had heard Him. I had just been experiencing this awful feeling of doubt about my ability to hear Him. God blessed my friend through me but I got the bigger blessing. He always blesses both the giver and receiver.

4. What advice can you give the rest of us?Seek Him first. Understand that these gifts we’ve been given are not fluff. They are an expression of the heart of our Creator. For me it is an act of worship. There will be some that get it and some that don’t. Enjoy fellowshipping with those that do and pray for those that don’t.

5. What’s the latest project that you’re most excited about?

My friend Darlene Ballard will have a book out in April. It is called “Learning to Dance in the Rain”. I’m painting the painting that will be its cover this past year. It has its own story. It is the only painting where I had no vision. It took me three tries to get it right. During this test He reminded me that we walk by faith not by site.

People can visit my website, www.caramiasart.com for more of my paintings. Thank you for the honor of asking me to do this interview.

Bent Not Broken

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