What kind of artist are you?

I recently had an epiphany while looking at other artists’ works. 

I saw this trend in artists painting beautiful women with flowers on their heads; apparently, they sell pretty well. Then you know, a little bit of FOMO (fear of missing out) settled in. But I quickly caught myself. And I thought of this:

Some art keeps you looking—the vibrant colors, sophisticated compositions, and designs keep your eyes busy and entertained. And that’s wonderful!

Then some art keeps you thinking. 

I’ll never forget seeing Rembrandt’s self-portrait at The Frick museum in New York City. A simple portrait with a dark background depicts the artist’s older self. The whole pairing is simple to the degree of austerity. But somehow, this master’s gaze from hundreds of years ago still mesmerizes me. And I felt I couldn’t move my feet away from that painting. Those are the types of paintings that keep you thinking, feeling, and imagining.

There are no right and wrong styles of painting. And you can move from one to another in the different stages of your art journey. Right now, I am striving to make paintings that contain more spiritual elements and keep people thinking. 

So, what kind of artist are you? Drop a comment here.. 

On another note, I just published a new 3 minute art tutorial: Watercolor peony greeting card. Click this link and subscribe to my Youtube channel, or share with a friend. I would apprecate it!

Cheering you on!

Ying 

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If you are anything like me, you probably have some older paintings stacked in your back room. 

Maybe you want to save some money and think one day you will paint over them. 

Maybe you like some parts of the painting, or you have worked really hard on it, or you have an emotional attachment to it. So you keep them, hoping one day you will make them shining and perfect.

I know some artists can get great results by reworking their older paintings. But I have concluded that it is not my thing. 

I have tried hard to adjust some of my older paintings to fit into my new style and vision. But it has rarely worked out. 

And that is fine because it’s evidence that you, as an artist, have progressed a long way on your art journey. 

As for painting over the whole artwork, I have found it involves too many elements. For example, I must ensure the original oil paint is dried. Or the surface will crack over time. And oil paintings can take years to dry thoroughly!

So for me, it isn’t worth the time and energy. 

Dear friend, I encourage you; December is a great time to check on your old artwork. 

You can keep the paintings that mark the milestones In your art life. 

But don’t feel bad about 

throwing out your old works. You can leave room for new paintings and keep your workspace more organized.

Most importantly, by cleaning up your physical space, you will have a clearer mental space too. You will have the mental clarity for new ideas and new techniques and explore new styles in the new year!  

Because art is an adventure!

Check out this post for planning your art for next year:

Cheer you on!

Ying

www.yingmclane.com

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This happened to me during the COVID pandemic.

Like so many of you, the pandemic had beaten down my creative spirit to a state of dormancy for over a year. I don’t think I touched my brushes one time during that period.

After things finally got better, I started to have visions in my head: images of women floating underwater, some of them meditating, some of them reaching for the surface. So I created a series of paintings about those visions.

Then one day, I was staring at a big blank canvas. I suddenly had the inspiration to paint the face of Jesus with unusually bright background colors. I also have a gold pen handy, so I scribbled many prophetic Hebrew words about God and Jesus onto it.

Now I know I was creating prophetic art.

In short, prophetic art is created with the Holy Spirit. Thus, it can also be called spirit art.

When I saw women underwater, the Holy Spirit whispered in my ear: paint the images to express this idea: the weight and depth of troubled time can not dim the God-breathed and nurtured human spirit of resilience.

My painting of Jesus is a piece of even more apparent evidence that the Holy Spirit had inspired me.

I Corinthians 3:9 points out:” For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.”(NIV)

Friends, as you can see, we are called to be co-workers of God. Our Father is the Alpha and Omega, the creator of the universe, so we are also called to be His co-creators on this earth— what a noble task!

To know more about prophetic art, check out my mentor Matt Tommey:s article here: https://www.matttommeymentoring.com/what-is-prophetic-art.html

To read more about my thoughts on art and God, check out my post:

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When I decided to turn my art hobby into a serious online business, I started diving into research. I wanted to see what other people were doing in the digital world and what I needed to do to catch up.

And I got overwhelmed very quickly.

I know I needed an artist’s website and to do some social media posting, but strange words like funnels, landing pages, and email marketing threw me into the rabbit hole.

I knew I needed help.

So I posted a job description on a freelance website for a social media consultant. I needed someone who knew how to package and market my art. I don’t know much about marketing, but I do know in this day and time, an artist can’t afford just to stay home and paint. It’s an artist’s job to get her work out in the digital marketplace. 

Several agencies replied. And I was very excited. But after I gave them the details about my expectations, I heard crickets.

Only one agency kept in touch with me, but they asked for an excessive amount of investment I was not planning on spending.

During all this, a thought crept into my mind: You are not marketable. Those people are professionals, and when they don’t want your business, they must think you suck.

This thought was like a poisoned apple lingering in my mind. But I didn’t give up.

I have consulted God many times, and He made it clear that He wants me to use my gifts fully, including getting my works out there for His glory.

Then I accidentally heard this saying from a marketing agent: “we are not magicians. We can help a client with his mission. But the client is the magic, not us.”

Yes!! That’s why I didn’t hear back from those marketing agencies. Because of my niche: Christian artist and Christian writer is probably too unique for them to market. They don’t know how to market my art business. I need to prove that there is a market for Christian artists to strive for. And my art and my writing are special. I am the magic. Not them.

So I started right back to work. Today, I have built a successful art business with my own hands. 

Friends, if you have been overlooked, felt defeated, or don’t have the confidence to pursue your dreams, don’t give up without a fight.

Ask God’s permission and advice first. Because sometimes, what you want is not in His plan.

But if you are sure about His will, then, by all means, go ahead and give all you got.

May God bless you!

Ying

To know more about my art and spiritual journey, go to this page: https://yingmclane.com/about/

To know more about Christian artists and Christian art, check out this website: https://christian.art.com

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1 John 4:16 NIV

I just finished this long-overdue painting of my boys. Because my hands and eyes are rusty from not painting oil for an extended period, this is not an easy start for me.

Often I was frustrated and discouraged. I had to repaint some areas over and over. But in the end, I am reasonably pleased with the final product.

When I think about how my creator sees me, I am still amazed and sometimes in disbelief— that despite the rough and far-from-perfect image I see in myself, my God sees me as the lovely and wonderful child of God He has made.

Like my final painting is far different from the beginning and middle stages, He sees the final product I am meant to be.

Ephesians 2:10 tells us: For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.

Yes, it’s hard to believe that the times we mess up, again and again, the times we don’t even like ourselves, the times we are broken and full of remorse, our God still loves, forgives, and cares about us as His precious newborn babies. We are masterpieces in our Father’s eyes.

Let this truth sink in, friends, hope it will refresh your heart today as it does to mine.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for blessing us with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly realm. You designed each of us with a special purpose, and you already know what we could become, not what we have done.

Please enable me to use my gifts to encourage others and inspire their walks with you. Continue to give me good works in my hands so your glory will shine through all of my efforts.

In Jesus’s name

Amen

Ask yourself

What difference did you see in yourself before you knew Jesus and after?

How can you draw on Christ’s power even more in your daily walk with him?

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