First in his book Unlocking the Heart of the Artist, and now at his live workshops of the same name, friend, author

Artist, author, musician, Matt Tommey

and fellow artist Matt Tommey helps artists break the curse during his weekend event the “Unlocking the Heart of the Artist Weekend”

I caught up with Matt to ask for real world help for a friend:

TONY:  I have a young visual artist friend who is incredibly talented. This person is a believer  but lately is frustrated because although they know that God does speak, they’re not hearing Him. My friend knows they are at a crossroads in what to do next with their talent, but they’re stumped.

TONY: Has the “Unlocking the Heart of the Artist Weekend” been able to help others facing the same frustration? If so, how?

MATT: One of the quotes we got last year from Unlocking the Heart of the Artist was from someone who said ‘The level of love and healing was beyond my wildest dreams! I came broken and left whole!’
The environment at Unlocking the Heart of the Artist weekend is one of love, acceptance, community and freedom.  Our heart is to create a safe environment where artists of every creative media can tangibly sense the presence of God, gain clarity about their unique calling in the Kingdom and in the context of community work through any roadblocks that the enemy may have set up for them.   For many, it’s the first time in their life that someone has connected their creativity and their relationship with God.  The sense of purpose and freedom is simply overwhelming.

TONY: What led you to launching the Unlocking the Heart of the Artist Weekend in the first place?

MATT: Over the years, I’ve encountered many artisans, musicians, craftsmen and other creative ones who have, for one reason or another, become stuck. The “stuckness” originates from many different places – woundedness, fear, control, unbelief, religious barriers – and creates a frustration in their life that becomes unbearable. Many artists, unable to understand what’s really going on either run headlong into “creativity for creativity’s sake” or turn to unhealthy alternatives in order to numb or overcome the pain they are feeling. Many more simply give up, hide the gift by stuffing it down under ‘Christian work ethic’ and just try to gone on with life as usual.  Our desire in launching Unlocking the Heart of the Artist weekends was to give creative people a safe place to explore the roadblocks they may be experiencing in their life and begin the journey to wholeness and abundant creativity in the Kingdom.

TONY: What was the biggest move of God that you know of that occurred in the life of someone that attended?

MATT: Many times we don’t hear all that God does in the lives of those that attend.  However, we have testimonies

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of people who have experienced physical, emotional and creative healing during the weekends which enabled them to go to new levels in God and their creative expression.  Many artists have repressed deep fear, shame and anxiety about past woundedness and this weekend has been a major catalyst for freedom in their life.

TONY: What do you cover during the weekend that speaks to ” The Starving Artist”?

MATT: The term Starving Artist is based in a curse found in Genesis 4 within the story of Cain.  Cain was the great, great, great, great, great grandfather of all musicians and craftsmen and one of the repercussions of his disobedience to God was Genesis 4:12 where God says “When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.”  This restless, wandering, unproductive spirit that is often termed “the artist personality’ is nothing more than a curse.  During the weekend, we talk a lot about God’s plan for thriving as an artist in the Kingdom and how to be a prospering artist.

Now you can join Matt Tommey at the “Unlocking The Heart Of The Artist” weekend event: Friday, March 23, 2012 at 7:00 PM – Saturday, March 24, 2012 at 9:00 PM (EST) Kennesaw, GA

DO YOU FEEL THAT YOUR CREATIVITY COULD BE CURSED? Sound off and share your voice by posting a comment below:

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Writer Sandra Renrick

This is the story of how a talented, creative, writer stopped dreaming about expanding her creative business and took action to make it happen.

Sandra Renrick had a passion for reaching an audience that shared her love for life, books…and natural (non-chemically treated) hair!

Sandra listened to me “nag” week after week about how there was a blog within her waiting to breathe free! She signed up for one of our webinars, and in 2 months, has an established following of readers and soon to be customers.

I knew Sandra would be able to take what she learned and put it to action, but what caught my eye was how swiftly she began to move!
Because of that, I had to interview her so that you could hear her story:

1. Sandra, tell us who you are and what you do as a writer/blogger:

I am the youngest of eight children. I still like saying I’m the youngest even though I’m over 45-years-old. I have a twisted sense of humor, and my nieces and nephews think I’m corny. As a blogger, I’m just beginning to find my voice. Currently, I’m writing about my experiences as a woman who has natural hair. Also, I plan to write about books and my other life experiences.

2. Now tell us about your creative background (training, experience, etc):

Natural Hair

I studied creative writing in high school and college. In high school, I attended the Fine Arts Center in Greenville, SC. I earned a degree in Journalism from the University of South Carolina in Columbia. I’ve held several jobs in broadcasting, and I have worked in book store. I’ve always had a very creative mind. As I child, I had an imaginary friend named Laura. I created an entire fantasy world in which we both lived. Also, I learned how to read newspapers before I could tie my shoes. It’s tough when you are the only lefty in a family of right-handers.

3. We see you recently launched your blog. Share with us how long was this a goal of yours and what lead to you finally taking action.

I started thinking about launching a blog a couple of years ago. I bought several books including Blogging for Dummies. I read the books, but I still failed to take any action. I was spurred into taking action by listening to the talented Mr. Tony Snipes. Tony got me to see that I didn’t have to have everything figured out. All I had to do was to sit down and to write. I actually started writing articles for my blog before I thought of a name for it. I also decided in advance to go with a Word Press template.

4. What obstacles did you face in meeting your creative goal and how did you overcome them?

I had to get out of my own way. Seriously, sometimes I can be my biggest hindrance in trying something new because I have tendency to over-think things. I’m a calculated risk-taker, but I had to learn once again to invest in myself.

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

I think of myself as a work in progress. Over the last year, I have committed myself more to God and to my church. What I have learned is this: that sometimes writing a check isn’t good enough. God’s work requires a little sweat. As far as my creative work, I think of inspiration as God’s whisper. When I come up with a new subject to write about, I get very excited.

6. What advice can you give the rest of us?

Just Do It. I know it’s a cliché, but if you can’t get an idea out of your head, chances are that you are on the right track.

Be sure to visit Sandra’s blog :

http://forevermenaturally.wordpress.com/

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Dave has mastered the method of using his illustration skills to tell a story. Take a look at his latest video and see how many famous people you recognize in his illustrated message:

See more of Dave’s videos and art at the AMOK Arts Tribe>>

http://amokarts.wordpress.com/

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But after hearing this, I had to ask YOU what your take is on the whole “vampires are not bad but romantic” phenomenon that has swept across pop culture:

Some of you may have heard the story of how housewife and novice writer Stephanie Meyer says that the Twilight saga was birthed in a vivid dream. On her own official website, Meyer says:

“I woke up (on that June 2nd) from a very vivid dream. In my dream, two people were having an intense conversation in a meadow in the woods. One of these people was just your average girl. The other person was fantastically beautiful, sparkly, and a vampire. They were discussing the difficulties inherent in the facts that A) they were falling in love with each other while B) the vampire was particularly attracted to the scent of her blood, and was having a difficult time restraining himself from killing her immediately.”

OK. As a creative person, I’m sure you’ve been inspired by a dream to create something.

 But the SECOND dream is what can get kind of creepy. In an interview with Moviefone, Myer revealed details of a dream she had about a darker Edward Cullen:

“I had this dream that Edward actually showed up and told me that I got it all wrong and like he exists and everything but he couldn’t live off animals… and I kind of got the sense he was going to kill me.” “It was really terrifying and bizarrely different from every other time I’ve thought about his character.”

So, knowing that our creative talent is powerful enough to influence the thoughts and emotions of others, and knowing that the spiritual realm is real and longs to influence those same minds and emotions…

 …I can’t WAIT to hear your thoughts and comments on this topic! (3-2-1) GO! (post below)

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"Real Heroes" by Rob Joseph

Fantasy illustrator, graphic novelist and Full Sail University grad Rob Joseph shows his gratitude for our nation’s military with this latest digital painting “Real Heroes“.

I asked Rob what inspired him to create “Real Heroes” and here’s what he had to say:
“I have 3 or 4 members who served in the military and when Vets day rolled around, I was stunned as I realized wow, I had never before honored my family members who were in the military and all the other military heroes with my gift before. That’s when I put my other projects on hold and made a decision to do this piece.”

Get a copy for yourself or for someone YOU wish to honor (framed or unframed) by going to Rob’s online gallery now: http://rob-joseph.imagekind.com/store/Images.aspx/bca72629-d7f5-4549-a1ab-bdaeb8a21af5/Illustrations

Illustrator, Author ROB JOSEPH

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