Matt is woven sculpture artist from Asheville, North Carolina, successful entrepreneur and internationally known Christian speaker, author of 5 books. He is also a mentor to artists around the world through his “Created to Thrive” mentoring program and The Thriving Christian Artist podcast.
In 2009, God called Matt to “raise up an army of artists to reveal His glory all over the earth.” Since then, Matt has given his life to helping artists thrive spiritually, creatively and financially through creating live events, resources and online opportunities that equip artists to live the life they were divinely designed to live in the Kingdom.
As an artist, Matt’s work has been featured in many magazines, shows and exhibitions and is mostly commissioned by private clients for luxury mountain and coastal homes around the country. In 2011, Matt was recognized by the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery as an American Artist Under 40 and in 2018 was recognized as one of the Best Artist Mentors in the country by Professional Artist Magazine.
Find out more about Matt’s work with artists at www.MattTommeyMentoring.com
Episode Summary
In this episode Jeanne is talking with artist, author and mentor Matt Tommey. Matt is surrounded by creativity in Asheville, North Carolina where he is known for his sculptural woven art. His success as a sought after artist led to his love of sharing with other creatives how to use their gifts to grow their own creative businesses that thrive. Matt shares his journey from working artist to business mentor, some of the lies business owners believe and what he believes artists need to hold true to during this time.
Podcast 036 | Created to Thrive with Matt Tommey
1:56 “When I first started making baskets, it was really to me never about making baskets, it was always about the connection of being in the woods, going hiking, and making something that other people thought was beautiful.”
2:41 “I began to see early on in my work the whole recycled part or the redemptive part of what I do, of taking things that everyone says are no good or ‘throw-away’ and bringing that into my art process really resonated with people.”
4:38 “If we allow what we do to create, develop, and define our identity, then that is always a dangerous place, because creativity is not who I am, it is an expression of who I am.”
9:15 “Most of the folks that are identifying with us in our mentoring program, the podcast, or whatever it is, they are loving the fact that somebody is talking about the God factor in the middle of their art and their business.”
12:01 “For me I’m happy as long as I’m creating.”
12:44 “When you go to the studio, it’s not just spontaneity in a vacuum, your are drawing on all the things you put in your heart and mind.”
15:31 “You are never going to be successful with something that you have not been fruitful with in your life first.”
18:20 “The biggest lie that I see people believing about their gifts and passions, when you boil it all down, it’s ‘I’m not enough.’”
19:44 “If your general belief is that ‘I’m not enough and I can’t do this,’ it’s like pouring water through a sieve, it just won’t stay.”
24:26 “The challenge of working in a family business is when do you turn it off, how do you turn it off, you have to be so intentional about that.”
27:42 “The more I grow in who I am and what God has called me to do, I’ve coined this phrase: we are called to see and agree—we see something in our imagination, and we grab hold of it with our ‘yes’…”
29:42 “You can live and intentionally craft your life in the way that is a blessing to your family and fulfills your dreams.”
32:22 “The people I work with are just crazy enough to believe there’s still a spark inside of them that says ‘I know, from the time I was a kid that I’m supposed to be an artist.’”
33:09 “That thing that you have is divine, the thing you have is unique and important, and the more you say yes to that, the more that everything else in your life and art are going to come into alignment.”
Creatively Made Business with Jeanne Oliver
Is your business aligned with how you want your life to look and feel? Many creative business owners feel trapped and overwhelmed by the business that was supposed to add more freedom to their lives. You didn’t take the risk of starting a business just to end up in the same place, or worse – moving in the opposite direction of the life you want.
Your business should be a bridge to the life you dream of, not a barrier. To learn more click HERE.
Ten Tips To Take Back The Peace
A free ebook if you are looking for some rest in your day-to-day like I was.
Get your free resource Ten Tips HERE.
Become the artist you dream to be. Creativity is Calling at jeanneoliver.com.
SUBSCRIBE ON: APPLE PODCASTS | GOOGLE PLAY | SPOTIFY