October 3, 2025 • 29 mins
In this powerful and Spirit-led conversation, I talk with Barbados-based artist Sherridean Carmichael about pursuing your creative calling with bold faith, overcoming resistance, and stepping fully into the identity God has already given you.
From her years as a top educator to her transformative work as a creative leader, Sherridean carries a message of breakthrough and Kingdom alignment that will inspire any artist feeling stuck or forgotten.
We explore how God uses challenges to shape us, how to recognize and reject the lies of lack and fear, and how walking in your true inheritance as a child of God releases creative freedom and impact.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- How to overcome the enemy’s resistance to your calling
- Why your creative inheritance is already yours in Christ
- Moving from striving to flowing in God’s provision
- Recognizing and walking in your Kingdom authority
- Encouraging other artists through your personal testimony
🌐 Connect with Sherridean Carmichael: http://creativeartwell.com
✅ Stay Connected & Grow as a Thriving Christian Artist:
- 📬 Subscribe to The Thriving Christian Artist Weekly: https://thrive.matttommeymentoring.com/tca-weekly
- 📚 Find My Best-Selling Books: https://www.matttommeymentoring.com/resources
- 🎓 Explore Artist Mentoring Programs: https://www.matttommeymentoring.com/mentoring
Find out more about The Created to Thrive Foundations Course
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
All over the world, artists are awakening.
Painters and potters, writersand weavers, poets and dancers
not chasing followers or fame,but sons and daughters called
for such a time as this,transformed from the inside out,
creating with purpose,releasing the glory of God and
living in the power of thekingdom.
Right now, this is the ThrivingChristian Artist.
(00:21):
Well, hey, friend, welcomeagain to the Thriving Christian
Artist podcast.
I'm Matt Tommy, your host.
Super glad that you are here.
Listen, this is a divineappointment today.
Sherri Dean Carmichael emailedme the other day and we have
known each other for a number ofyears online and watched what
each other are doing and allthat kind of thing.
And she said, matt, god's putsomething on my heart.
(00:42):
I just want to throw somethings around with you on
conversation and just see whatGod might have for you to
inspire or give a differentperspective or whatever.
And I was like this is exactlywhat God's been speaking to me
as well, and I'd love to havethis conversation.
But I said I want to have apodcast with you too, because I
know that God's doing incrediblethings in your life.
So, sherry Dean, thank you foragreeing to come on the podcast
(01:05):
and we're going to just seewhere the Lord takes us today.
How about that?
Speaker 2 (01:09):
You're absolutely welcome.
It's such an honor at this time.
I mean, for years we've beenjust back and forth by email
Finally divine timing.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
I love it, I love it.
So listen, for those folksmaybe who're just getting to
know you and where you are inthe world and what you do, give
us the kind of thumbnail sketchof all that you're doing
creatively and then we'll getinto kind of the backstory and
what God's saying right now.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
So well, I'm Sherry Dean, my whole name is Sherry,
and I'm just excited about theLord.
I love him, he's my heart, he'smy joy.
Everything I do is always withthe attempt to please him,
because I know we're here forseason and you want to make your
impact, let go everything thathe has given and then move on
(01:54):
when he is ready.
But I'm excited because, youknow, from young I knew that the
Lord had really placed on methat gift, that calling to be an
artist, and not just for myself, not just to beautify.
But I know he wanted somethingmore.
And so, you know, from young Icommitted myself to the
education of art and even to arteducation.
(02:18):
So it's one thing to be trainedto be an artist but the other
to be an art teacher.
So I went into that and thenwent straight with teaching at
one of the top schools inBarbados.
Oh, did I tell you?
I am from Barbados.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
The.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
West Indies, you know the island of sand, sea and sun
.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
Love it, love it.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Very much so I love it.
Clearwater, crystal water isvery wonderful, beautiful
country.
So I thank God for that.
So you know, I really got backinto my art and you know, just
painting and creating.
And it's interesting.
I went through a period where,after coming out of divorce, I
had to start over and, after alull, not painting, then I had
(03:04):
two children, support to support, and the Lord just showed me
how I can use my art as a way tobridge the gap.
But I thank God, fast forwardnow.
It's not the case.
God has brought a wonderful, Isay young man into my life who's
very much into everything thatI am doing.
He helped me set here and sonow we are working together with
(03:26):
our art gallery.
This is the second year and I'mjust excited because I see for
myself how art is such atherapeutic measure, and I woke
up to it when it worked on me.
So I went on to do studies inart therapy.
Now I'm a life therapeutic artcoach and I've been trained in
(03:50):
ministry as well, and I wentthere because I just wanted to
understand the words of God, tobe able to apply it to my life.
And from there, as I sat back, Isaw how everything just
culminates.
And should I say the older Iget or the more mature I get,
(04:10):
we'll say mature, We'll saymature.
You know, the dots are comingtogether.
They are coming together, andI'm thinking about artists, who
sometimes you're gifted in somany areas and it's like it's
confusing.
What should I focus on?
What should I be doing with allof these skills?
You know you have your seasons,you go through, but for me, I
(04:32):
ended up being head of the finearts and music department of one
of the top schools here andbecause of that position, I had
to oversee these areas.
So I see what God was doing.
And now, as I move into the artgallery, you're meeting artists
, different styles, differentart forms, and now we are
(04:53):
forming an art creativefellowship.
Again, you see the experiencelending itself there.
So I'm just excited as to seehow God will move, and for me
it's not a matter if he willmove, it's a matter of when.
There are times when youexperience his goodness and you
(05:13):
spend time with him.
You feel lit up on the inside.
For years I carried out fire,but now I'm seeing clearly what
God has thrown through it, andit's like Moses and the burning
bush.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
Yeah, yeah, so good.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Sometimes you go through experiences and you
think the experiences will lightyou or destroy you, but
actually God is purifying,refining and getting your
attention to move in aparticular way.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
Yeah, I just love that.
I'm sure artists are out theresaying just like I am.
This woman is incredible.
She is going from glory toglory Like she's a fire hose of
you know, energy and the powerof God moving through her life.
I know that that's not alwaysthe case, because all of us,
that all of us have a backstoryright, all of us have those
(05:59):
those times in our life where wefeel like there's a dream, we
feel like there's a calling inour life, but then the enemy
comes in like a flood with themirage of fear and all that kind
of stuff.
And talk about some of that,because I know that anybody that
is taking ground in the Lordand walking toward the thing
that he's got, that never comeswithout resistance right comes
(06:27):
without resistance, right, it'strue, and I mean from the very
get-go, because from about the20s.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
I can't even remember the date, it was so long ago,
but I felt God leading me in thedirection to paint more from a
scriptural or faith-based pointof view all right and I was
looking around to see what wasdone and I couldn't find anyone
doing it here.
But I knew God said to do it.
(06:51):
I started painting and Ipainted with the understanding
you know person might not wantto buy my work because biblical.
I remember taking part in anexhibition when I moved back to
Barbados and they told me it wasnot accepted and I took that
rejection.
That was my first rejection inart.
(07:11):
I took it very seriously.
I mean, I stopped exhibiting, Istayed quiet.
But then I realized they saidwait, they rejected my work
because of the theme.
They didn't say anything aboutthe standard or the quality.
So then it fed me that becauseit's new, it's a biblical theme.
Even when I was studying for myfine arts degree they say you
(07:34):
cannot be representing biblicalthing is not fitting, and I had
to go through that.
So I thought I was odd.
But you know, when you stay inGod's presence he starts to feed
you.
And for years, matt, I feltlike I was so alone on this
journey and I think that was oneof the years when I reached out
to you because you know, godjust started downloading you
(07:57):
know the vision for this thingand I continued painting and
then, you know, I felt like hewanted more out of this, and
it's only over the last twoyears, and I've been an artist
for almost 40 years because Istarted very young.
And it's only the last few yearsthat side of me was received.
(08:19):
People are actually excitedabout this side of it Many
persons.
When I meet them in person,they will tell me oh, I see what
you're doing on the Facebookand on Instagram and so on.
Your art is such a blessing tome.
I feel like the presence of Godis in the room when I look at
your art and it's like.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
Really Say it again, say it again.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
You didn't like it, you didn't share nothing, so I
was just moving on pure faith.
And now that's the type of workthat I'm being sought for.
That's the type of work personsare buying, especially since
the COVID.
Prior to that, I was moreinvolved in painting sceneries
(09:05):
and things on demand and, yes,it was sold.
You're glad you had the saleshere and there, but inside there
was more.
And now that the message isbeing received, I'm thankful.
And now God has given me theavenue.
Actually I'm preparing forBeyond the Brush how should I
(09:26):
put it?
It's a group meeting where I'mgoing to introduce we're going
to have worship, the word andart.
I'm going to introduce apainting with mary and martha
and the theme is who's listening?
Wow, god is speaking, he'sgiving answers, he's providing
solutions, but is listening.
And I always remember my dadsaid the solution to every
(09:46):
problem is to hear God's voice.
Come on, and that stuck with methrough the years.
So I went through the seasonrecently where I'm just, you
know, quiet and listening to God, and I thank God because I'm at
that place of peace where youfeel like, regardless of what
happens, you know God is with me.
(10:08):
I know God is with me.
I know that he's directing mypath and even though I feel
afraid I don't know or uncertainwhat's the next step to take, I
trust God that everything Ineed will come to me, that's
right, it's already yours.
Speaker 1 (10:28):
in the kingdom right, it's already yours.
Speaker 2 (10:30):
That is it, and that's why I always laugh at
Satan.
When he took Jesus at thepinnacle, he said if you will
bow down and worship me, allthese things will be yours.
And it's like wait a minute,it's already his.
Why tempt him with what's his?
You know so this I'm a jointheir with Christ.
Therefore, I have to walk, justas Moses.
(10:52):
When the pathway was open, hewalked just as the priest.
As soon as the step in theriver, it opened up.
So I have to.
As I walk, I believe everythingcomes, you know, according to
the word of God, and we have tospeak that language.
Now, when he reveals, when hespeaks, when we read the
scriptures, those are ourlanguage Because, again, my way
(11:16):
is yours, your way is mine.
Once I get a hold of that, thatbecomes my focus.
Speaker 1 (11:24):
Yeah, so good, so good.
No wonder God is raising you upin your country right now,
because I mean, what you'recarrying is what other artists
need to know that they're notforgotten, that they're not
starving artists, that they'renot on the trying to do this
thing.
Speaker 2 (11:39):
I don't like it.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
I know, I know.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
Starving artists.
What is that?
And we're kingdom people.
Speaker 1 (11:45):
Come on, come on.
And Christians can be the onesthat struggle with that the most
.
Sometimes Right, but we need tosometimes be shaken out of our
sleep and say, no, we alreadyhave all things in Christ.
He's already our provider, he'salready given us all things and
learning to walk in that,that's where the joy and
challenge is um, and I think, asyou say, walking in it.
Speaker 2 (12:08):
The word for me is aligning, which means the same,
but it's aligning with his plans, because I remember I told you
that when I started off thecreative art world business, it
was about bridging my financialgap because I was a single mom
of two children at that time andI remember I was reading I
think it was 1st or 2nd Kings,chapter 4, the story with a
(12:30):
woman whose children werethreatened to be sold as slaves
and she went to the prophet andhe's like you know what to do.
The prophet said what do youhave in your house?
You know, go there, get all thevessels you can and keep
pouring the oil.
And then he said go and sell.
And I hear that I said wait,what I have on my art?
Speaker 1 (12:53):
That's right.
Go sell that.
That's where the flow is right.
That's where the flow is.
Speaker 2 (12:57):
It's right there.
And let me tell you, matt, fromthere I had lessons, I had
lessons, I had mentorshipmoments and I mean I never the
well, never ran dry because ofthe different gifts.
You tap into different areas,different streams in the art.
So if one slow down, the otherone open up.
While that is closing, anotherone open up.
(13:18):
God kept providing.
So it's there that I recognizethat we, that the traditional
ways to see ourselves as justartists, is not complete.
God sees us as ministers, hesees us as entrepreneurs and all
of that.
So when that came to myawakening and I saw you, I knew
God led me to you online.
(13:39):
When I saw you, I just say, wow, the same thing the Lord has
been telling me.
This is what you're doing.
So that inspired and encouragedme.
Yeah, I'm on the right track.
Keep going, keep going.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
I love it.
I love it.
Listen.
I think one of the thingsthat's beautiful about the
kingdom is that when God doessomething in us, walks us
through a difficult situationand we overcome and we've got
authority in that area.
Now he uses us to release thatto others and it sounds like all
of this journey that you'vebeen on all of these years, not
(14:12):
only with your art, but learningto trust God for your provision
, walk by faith, overcome theenemy I mean just all the stuff
it sounds like that the Lord isbeginning to well up a vision
inside of you to release others,to gather others and release
others in your country.
So when did that start?
Tell me about what God's sayingright now and what you feel
(14:34):
like is on the way.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
I think this started for me around 2010, where, after
I started to get the revelationand I wrote it down and I
started to see the benefits inmy own life, then I recognized
that it's just not for me aloneand at that time I was just
(14:58):
walking on the journey and itwas still new here and I and I
actually started a group.
I started it I can't rememberwhat Bobby it was Christian Art
Council and when I was trying togather persons, the feedback
was because they believed thatidentifying as a Christian
artist puts them better, givesthem a label which might hinder
(15:23):
the wider market okay frompatronizing them, and so that
was very slow and happening.
The timing just was not on.
So, you know, I just left it.
I kept my pages of theinstagram um up and from time to
time I'll just put out thingsthere.
But then in 2016, we hadsomething called the kingdom art
festival and and two personshere, shelly and her husband,
(15:49):
campbell they started this thingand I was actually their
coordinator for the visual arts.
So I was connected withdifferent churches, different
artists, and we pulled togetherand we had exhibition going on.
But again, my life went throughall the twists and turns and I
had to adapt now to singlehood,and that was a journey in itself
(16:11):
.
God had to rebuild myconfidence.
I had to do a lot of praying.
I even went in terms of therapybecause I wanted to be a good
mom to my children and all ofthat happened.
But I went through it and youknow sometimes people ask why
bad things happen to good people.
(16:31):
I'm not perfect, but you knowmy heart is good towards you,
know why it happens and you knowsometimes it happens because
God is even allowing thatsituation.
I don't think he just wants todo us bad, but he knows how to
make all things work togetherfor good.
So, coming out of that now, myheart was sensitive towards
(16:55):
single women and children.
So wherever I could Icontributed.
When God blessed me, eventhrough the art.
I contributed where I could.
Not only that, because I sawhow the painting changed or
transitioned me from this messytype painting into something
beautiful again and I felt, bitby bit, being released, being
(17:18):
able to express and see what Ididn't even see, and that
measure of healing just broughtabout an interest.
So I started to do some studiesduring the pandemic season and
then I went into ministry withthat and I actually saw it
worked with a group of ladies.
I remember once they werecreating artwork.
(17:39):
There was one lady inparticular.
She was making a butterfly andwhile she was trying to hold up
the clay she was just droppingand dropping and sagging.
And the Lord just connectedwith me one time.
You have dreams, you want tofly, you want to achieve
different things, but you needthe right support.
That lady started to cry.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (17:59):
That touched me, to see how God used art to expose
what it is.
She was really feeling.
Even another one who's apsychologist, she said I know to
hide myself, but shoot, the artexposed me.
So all of these things, youknow, just encouraged me to
continue in that way and I haveseen results after results and
(18:21):
I'm really humbled and thankful,you know.
But the experiences, they sayyou cannot dry a tear unless you
cried.
So that stuck with me and Inever forgot.
There was an apostle Liverpooland I remember when I went to
one of her workshops she saidthis pain, everything that
you're going through, has aredemptive side.
Speaker 1 (18:43):
That's right.
Speaker 2 (18:44):
That unlocks my perspective on everything.
So I started to take a secondlook.
So then everything was comingtogether, now starting to work
together, my art had a differentmeaning.
My spiritual journey had aricher meaning.
The gifts he has given me hasmore purpose.
So everything just cametogether and that's why it is
(19:07):
creative art.
It's a well where different artskills, ideas will come
together, all for the wellnessof the body and the community.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
Yeah, it's so good.
I just love what you're sayingabout God using our places of
brokenness and our places wherehe brings us to victory, and
that to now use it as a platform.
The thing the enemies tried touse to destroy us, he wants to
use as the very platform todeclare his goodness and his
glory through us.
(19:35):
I think we've all got to beaware, though and I think this
is as people are listening tothis around the world I'm sure
there are people like, wow,that's why, maybe, I've been
going through all this warfare,that's why I've been going
through all this difficulty,because God's got this
incredible breakthrough plan forme to be able to use this for
his glory, and the enemy ispulling out all the stops in
(19:57):
order to try to defeat me anddeceive me into coming out of
agreement with what God's gotfor me and just kind of to be
able to set me to the side.
But, man, when we press through, just like you're saying, not
only does God get the glory, weget the opportunity to walk in
that, and see what the enemymeant for evil.
God used for good and fortransformation.
Speaker 2 (20:18):
That's so powerful, Absolutely, and I know what it
feels like to be going throughthis season where there's no
answer, no matter how long andhow much you pray or fast.
It seems like your prayer isbouncing back and it is so
dismal.
You're just like nothing ishappening and it's like with the
(20:39):
snap of a finger as you keeppushing through.
It's like God will say enoughis enough yeah, yeah and then
his blessings comes.
He floods, he purifies, heerases the fears, he give
answers to confirm what he hasbeen saying all along.
Some people, you, you receive aprophetic word, even about your
(21:02):
art, and I mean this momenthere.
Here is prophecy beingfulfilled.
The Lord said I'll be on mediaand I'll be on different parts
of the world.
And this has happened time andtime again.
It has happened to me inpreaching and sharing my life
story with Queen's Mindset.
And now, here I am with you andwe're talking about art.
Speaker 1 (21:23):
You understand.
Speaker 2 (21:23):
So how big is our God ?
Speaker 1 (21:25):
That's right, come on .
Speaker 2 (21:27):
Absolutely nothing is impossible and the main
objective when we go throughtesting times as creatives
because we tend to feel thingsdeeply we have to realign
ourselves with what God says andstay there, do not move.
Learn to part by the words ofGod and by the promises of God
(21:50):
and understand that his promisesare yes and amen.
All he needs us to do is tokeep saying amen.
Speaker 1 (21:58):
No matter how hard it gets.
Speaker 2 (22:00):
Keep saying amen.
Remember what christ wentthrough on our behalf the
beating, the embarrassment, thebleeding.
He said amen to god's will.
Did he rise?
I always reminded satan there'sa third day.
There's a third day, my thirdday is coming, so I keep
affirming that and I keep sayingthat and, wow, I'm living it
(22:24):
now that's so good I'm gettingsaved all over.
Speaker 1 (22:26):
Keep saying that and wow, I'm living it now.
That's so good, I'm gettingsaved all over again.
Just listening to you right nowI'm like woo, come on, somebody
, come on.
Hey, listen, I want you to giveyour website and all that and
tell everybody where they canfind you.
But you know, I don't askeverybody to do this.
I just feel like the Lord wantsyou to pray for people that are
in that moment in their life.
Maybe they've got something ontheir heart that they know that
(22:49):
God wants to release them into,but the enemy's been beating
them up.
The enemy's been, you know,torturing them in their mind,
trying to get them off track,trying to get them to give up.
The situation's too far gone.
They're too old, it's too late,they don't have enough money,
whatever it is, and God iswaiting on the other side of
that Amen Right To bringbreakthrough and to bring
(23:10):
victory in that.
And I just feel like the Lordwants to use you right now,
sherry Dean, to pray for peoplethat are dealing with that.
So can you just do that realquick as we, as we wrap up time
today?
Speaker 2 (23:20):
And definitely, father God, we thank you because
you are supreme, you aresovereign and you're in charge
of all the affairs of man, justas you spoke this world into
existence, just as youorchestrate the sun and the moon
and their functions.
Oh god, help your children,wherever they are, that they
will understand that god isorchestrating their moments,
(23:45):
regardless of how gloomy it maylook, how painful it may look,
how dismal it may look.
I speak to your heart right now.
Rise up and walk out of thosefeelings and out of those
emotions and climb into thewords of God and, even if you
cannot move, just call on thename Jesus.
(24:06):
Just say Jesus, I'm holding onto your word.
Just say Jesus, I'm holding onto your promises.
I know inside you have placedwithin me a gift, a calling to
represent your words visually.
Oh God, pull out the stops.
Almighty God, that yourchildren will walk in their
vision, walk in the words and inthe promises that you have
(24:28):
released in their lives.
All the promises of the Lord,all your promises, are yes and
amen and every day, help them tolook in the mirror and say amen
to your words.
Whatever promises you've made,write down the vision and put
amen next to it In the name ofJesus.
(24:49):
You said if two or three willjust do it and believe in your
name, it will be done.
And we call it done in the nameof the Father, the Son and the
Holy Spirit.
Amen and amen.
Amen.
Speaker 1 (25:04):
Listen.
If that doesn't get your firegoing, your wood is wet.
I mean, come on, listen, youknow this.
God's anointed you as agatherer and as a fire starter,
as one who breathes life.
In fact, sheridene, I just seeright now the Lord using you.
I just see, like your mouthopen and life, life, life coming
(25:28):
out all over the islands ofBarbados.
Lord, I thank you that you areusing her to wake up the dead
Lord, to wake up those who havelong had vision and yet not
known how to walk in it.
God, thank you that life, lifeand more life, god is being
breathed in her, to be breathedthrough her, and we just thank
(25:49):
you for that.
Lord and God, I just thank youfor rumblings and I thank you
for ripples all over the worldof what you're calling her to
God, that it doesn't just stopwhere she's at Lord, but you've
got big, big, big things for herLord and we just thank you for
that.
In Jesus name.
In Jesus name, amen, amen,listen, sheridine, tell
(26:09):
everybody where they can get intouch with you Social media
website, all the stuff.
Okay.
Speaker 2 (26:15):
So you can go to creativeartwellcom.
So creativeartwellcom, thatwill give you access to
everything You'll get access tomy personal Instagram accounts
Sheridine at Creative Art World.
Sheridine, you'll get access tomy gallery as well
(26:38):
Inspirational Fine Arts Gallery,mentorship Program, whatever
you need, even podcasts.
I started back Awesome, Istarted back.
I started back differenttestimonies and thoughts with
creative.
So just go tocreativeartwellcom and you'll
see everything.
And my number of course one,two, four, six, two, five, zero,
(26:59):
forty five, oh two.
Speaker 1 (27:01):
Whatsapp there you go , love it.
Well, sherid, listen.
What a joy to have you on thepodcast today.
I know people all over theworld are just.
I just feel refreshed aftertalking to you.
I know people are feeling thesame thing, so thank you so much
for being on the podcast todayand guys make sure to visit the
links that are in the show notesso that you can continue to
follow Sheridine and just followwhat God's doing through her
(27:23):
life.
So thanks so much for being ontoday.
Speaker 2 (27:26):
Bless you.
Speaker 1 (27:27):
Hey, my friend, before you go, make sure that
you're signed up for theThriving Christian Artist Weekly
.
It's my free newsletter, fullof spiritual encouragement,
creative inspiration andpractical tips to help you
thrive in everything that God'scalled you to do as an artist in
His kingdom.
Every issue is absolutely freeand it includes the latest
podcast episode, featured artistspotlights, a worship song of
(27:48):
the week and, again, tons oftips and encouragement and
inspiration for you to keep youinspired and encouraged, and
everything that God's got foryou as an artist in the kingdom.
You can click the link righthere in the show notes to join
us, and it's a great way to stayconnected.
All right, love you, bye.
All over the world, artists are awakening.
Painters and potters, writersand weavers, poets and dancers
not chasing followers or fame,but sons and daughters called
for such a time as this,transformed from the inside out,
creating with purpose,releasing the glory of God and
living in the power of thekingdom.
Right now, this is the ThrivingChristian Artist.
(00:21):
Well, hey, friend, welcomeagain to the Thriving Christian
Artist podcast.
I'm Matt Tommy, your host.
Super glad that you are here.
Listen, this is a divineappointment today.
Sherri Dean Carmichael emailedme the other day and we have
known each other for a number ofyears online and watched what
each other are doing and allthat kind of thing.
And she said, matt, god's putsomething on my heart.
(00:42):
I just want to throw somethings around with you on
conversation and just see whatGod might have for you to
inspire or give a differentperspective or whatever.
And I was like this is exactlywhat God's been speaking to me
as well, and I'd love to havethis conversation.
But I said I want to have apodcast with you too, because I
know that God's doing incrediblethings in your life.
So, sherry Dean, thank you foragreeing to come on the podcast
(01:05):
and we're going to just seewhere the Lord takes us today.
How about that?
Speaker 2 (01:09):
You're absolutely welcome.
It's such an honor at this time.
I mean, for years we've beenjust back and forth by email
Finally divine timing.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
I love it, I love it.
So listen, for those folksmaybe who're just getting to
know you and where you are inthe world and what you do, give
us the kind of thumbnail sketchof all that you're doing
creatively and then we'll getinto kind of the backstory and
what God's saying right now.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
So well, I'm Sherry Dean, my whole name is Sherry,
and I'm just excited about theLord.
I love him, he's my heart, he'smy joy.
Everything I do is always withthe attempt to please him,
because I know we're here forseason and you want to make your
impact, let go everything thathe has given and then move on
(01:54):
when he is ready.
But I'm excited because, youknow, from young I knew that the
Lord had really placed on methat gift, that calling to be an
artist, and not just for myself, not just to beautify.
But I know he wanted somethingmore.
And so, you know, from young Icommitted myself to the
education of art and even to arteducation.
(02:18):
So it's one thing to be trainedto be an artist but the other
to be an art teacher.
So I went into that and thenwent straight with teaching at
one of the top schools inBarbados.
Oh, did I tell you?
I am from Barbados.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
The.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
West Indies, you know the island of sand, sea and sun
.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
Love it, love it.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Very much so I love it.
Clearwater, crystal water isvery wonderful, beautiful
country.
So I thank God for that.
So you know, I really got backinto my art and you know, just
painting and creating.
And it's interesting.
I went through a period where,after coming out of divorce, I
had to start over and, after alull, not painting, then I had
(03:04):
two children, support to support, and the Lord just showed me
how I can use my art as a way tobridge the gap.
But I thank God, fast forwardnow.
It's not the case.
God has brought a wonderful, Isay young man into my life who's
very much into everything thatI am doing.
He helped me set here and sonow we are working together with
(03:26):
our art gallery.
This is the second year and I'mjust excited because I see for
myself how art is such atherapeutic measure, and I woke
up to it when it worked on me.
So I went on to do studies inart therapy.
Now I'm a life therapeutic artcoach and I've been trained in
(03:50):
ministry as well, and I wentthere because I just wanted to
understand the words of God, tobe able to apply it to my life.
And from there, as I sat back, Isaw how everything just
culminates.
And should I say the older Iget or the more mature I get,
(04:10):
we'll say mature, We'll saymature.
You know, the dots are comingtogether.
They are coming together, andI'm thinking about artists, who
sometimes you're gifted in somany areas and it's like it's
confusing.
What should I focus on?
What should I be doing with allof these skills?
You know you have your seasons,you go through, but for me, I
(04:32):
ended up being head of the finearts and music department of one
of the top schools here andbecause of that position, I had
to oversee these areas.
So I see what God was doing.
And now, as I move into the artgallery, you're meeting artists
, different styles, differentart forms, and now we are
(04:53):
forming an art creativefellowship.
Again, you see the experiencelending itself there.
So I'm just excited as to seehow God will move, and for me
it's not a matter if he willmove, it's a matter of when.
There are times when youexperience his goodness and you
(05:13):
spend time with him.
You feel lit up on the inside.
For years I carried out fire,but now I'm seeing clearly what
God has thrown through it, andit's like Moses and the burning
bush.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
Yeah, yeah, so good.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Sometimes you go through experiences and you
think the experiences will lightyou or destroy you, but
actually God is purifying,refining and getting your
attention to move in aparticular way.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
Yeah, I just love that.
I'm sure artists are out theresaying just like I am.
This woman is incredible.
She is going from glory toglory Like she's a fire hose of
you know, energy and the powerof God moving through her life.
I know that that's not alwaysthe case, because all of us,
that all of us have a backstoryright, all of us have those
(05:59):
those times in our life where wefeel like there's a dream, we
feel like there's a calling inour life, but then the enemy
comes in like a flood with themirage of fear and all that kind
of stuff.
And talk about some of that,because I know that anybody that
is taking ground in the Lordand walking toward the thing
that he's got, that never comeswithout resistance right comes
(06:27):
without resistance, right, it'strue, and I mean from the very
get-go, because from about the20s.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
I can't even remember the date, it was so long ago,
but I felt God leading me in thedirection to paint more from a
scriptural or faith-based pointof view all right and I was
looking around to see what wasdone and I couldn't find anyone
doing it here.
But I knew God said to do it.
(06:51):
I started painting and Ipainted with the understanding
you know person might not wantto buy my work because biblical.
I remember taking part in anexhibition when I moved back to
Barbados and they told me it wasnot accepted and I took that
rejection.
That was my first rejection inart.
(07:11):
I took it very seriously.
I mean, I stopped exhibiting, Istayed quiet.
But then I realized they saidwait, they rejected my work
because of the theme.
They didn't say anything aboutthe standard or the quality.
So then it fed me that becauseit's new, it's a biblical theme.
Even when I was studying for myfine arts degree they say you
(07:34):
cannot be representing biblicalthing is not fitting, and I had
to go through that.
So I thought I was odd.
But you know, when you stay inGod's presence he starts to feed
you.
And for years, matt, I feltlike I was so alone on this
journey and I think that was oneof the years when I reached out
to you because you know, godjust started downloading you
(07:57):
know the vision for this thingand I continued painting and
then, you know, I felt like hewanted more out of this, and
it's only over the last twoyears, and I've been an artist
for almost 40 years because Istarted very young.
And it's only the last few yearsthat side of me was received.
(08:19):
People are actually excitedabout this side of it Many
persons.
When I meet them in person,they will tell me oh, I see what
you're doing on the Facebookand on Instagram and so on.
Your art is such a blessing tome.
I feel like the presence of Godis in the room when I look at
your art and it's like.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
Really Say it again, say it again.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
You didn't like it, you didn't share nothing, so I
was just moving on pure faith.
And now that's the type of workthat I'm being sought for.
That's the type of work personsare buying, especially since
the COVID.
Prior to that, I was moreinvolved in painting sceneries
(09:05):
and things on demand and, yes,it was sold.
You're glad you had the saleshere and there, but inside there
was more.
And now that the message isbeing received, I'm thankful.
And now God has given me theavenue.
Actually I'm preparing forBeyond the Brush how should I
(09:26):
put it?
It's a group meeting where I'mgoing to introduce we're going
to have worship, the word andart.
I'm going to introduce apainting with mary and martha
and the theme is who's listening?
Wow, god is speaking, he'sgiving answers, he's providing
solutions, but is listening.
And I always remember my dadsaid the solution to every
(09:46):
problem is to hear God's voice.
Come on, and that stuck with methrough the years.
So I went through the seasonrecently where I'm just, you
know, quiet and listening to God, and I thank God because I'm at
that place of peace where youfeel like, regardless of what
happens, you know God is with me.
(10:08):
I know God is with me.
I know that he's directing mypath and even though I feel
afraid I don't know or uncertainwhat's the next step to take, I
trust God that everything Ineed will come to me, that's
right, it's already yours.
Speaker 1 (10:28):
in the kingdom right, it's already yours.
Speaker 2 (10:30):
That is it, and that's why I always laugh at
Satan.
When he took Jesus at thepinnacle, he said if you will
bow down and worship me, allthese things will be yours.
And it's like wait a minute,it's already his.
Why tempt him with what's his?
You know so this I'm a jointheir with Christ.
Therefore, I have to walk, justas Moses.
(10:52):
When the pathway was open, hewalked just as the priest.
As soon as the step in theriver, it opened up.
So I have to.
As I walk, I believe everythingcomes, you know, according to
the word of God, and we have tospeak that language.
Now, when he reveals, when hespeaks, when we read the
scriptures, those are ourlanguage Because, again, my way
(11:16):
is yours, your way is mine.
Once I get a hold of that, thatbecomes my focus.
Speaker 1 (11:24):
Yeah, so good, so good.
No wonder God is raising you upin your country right now,
because I mean, what you'recarrying is what other artists
need to know that they're notforgotten, that they're not
starving artists, that they'renot on the trying to do this
thing.
Speaker 2 (11:39):
I don't like it.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
I know, I know.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
Starving artists.
What is that?
And we're kingdom people.
Speaker 1 (11:45):
Come on, come on.
And Christians can be the onesthat struggle with that the most
.
Sometimes Right, but we need tosometimes be shaken out of our
sleep and say, no, we alreadyhave all things in Christ.
He's already our provider, he'salready given us all things and
learning to walk in that,that's where the joy and
challenge is um, and I think, asyou say, walking in it.
Speaker 2 (12:08):
The word for me is aligning, which means the same,
but it's aligning with his plans, because I remember I told you
that when I started off thecreative art world business, it
was about bridging my financialgap because I was a single mom
of two children at that time andI remember I was reading I
think it was 1st or 2nd Kings,chapter 4, the story with a
(12:30):
woman whose children werethreatened to be sold as slaves
and she went to the prophet andhe's like you know what to do.
The prophet said what do youhave in your house?
You know, go there, get all thevessels you can and keep
pouring the oil.
And then he said go and sell.
And I hear that I said wait,what I have on my art?
Speaker 1 (12:53):
That's right.
Go sell that.
That's where the flow is right.
That's where the flow is.
Speaker 2 (12:57):
It's right there.
And let me tell you, matt, fromthere I had lessons, I had
lessons, I had mentorshipmoments and I mean I never the
well, never ran dry because ofthe different gifts.
You tap into different areas,different streams in the art.
So if one slow down, the otherone open up.
While that is closing, anotherone open up.
(13:18):
God kept providing.
So it's there that I recognizethat we, that the traditional
ways to see ourselves as justartists, is not complete.
God sees us as ministers, hesees us as entrepreneurs and all
of that.
So when that came to myawakening and I saw you, I knew
God led me to you online.
(13:39):
When I saw you, I just say, wow, the same thing the Lord has
been telling me.
This is what you're doing.
So that inspired and encouragedme.
Yeah, I'm on the right track.
Keep going, keep going.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
I love it.
I love it.
Listen.
I think one of the thingsthat's beautiful about the
kingdom is that when God doessomething in us, walks us
through a difficult situationand we overcome and we've got
authority in that area.
Now he uses us to release thatto others and it sounds like all
of this journey that you'vebeen on all of these years, not
(14:12):
only with your art, but learningto trust God for your provision
, walk by faith, overcome theenemy I mean just all the stuff
it sounds like that the Lord isbeginning to well up a vision
inside of you to release others,to gather others and release
others in your country.
So when did that start?
Tell me about what God's sayingright now and what you feel
(14:34):
like is on the way.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
I think this started for me around 2010, where, after
I started to get the revelationand I wrote it down and I
started to see the benefits inmy own life, then I recognized
that it's just not for me aloneand at that time I was just
(14:58):
walking on the journey and itwas still new here and I and I
actually started a group.
I started it I can't rememberwhat Bobby it was Christian Art
Council and when I was trying togather persons, the feedback
was because they believed thatidentifying as a Christian
artist puts them better, givesthem a label which might hinder
(15:23):
the wider market okay frompatronizing them, and so that
was very slow and happening.
The timing just was not on.
So, you know, I just left it.
I kept my pages of theinstagram um up and from time to
time I'll just put out thingsthere.
But then in 2016, we hadsomething called the kingdom art
festival and and two personshere, shelly and her husband,
(15:49):
campbell they started this thingand I was actually their
coordinator for the visual arts.
So I was connected withdifferent churches, different
artists, and we pulled togetherand we had exhibition going on.
But again, my life went throughall the twists and turns and I
had to adapt now to singlehood,and that was a journey in itself
(16:11):
.
God had to rebuild myconfidence.
I had to do a lot of praying.
I even went in terms of therapybecause I wanted to be a good
mom to my children and all ofthat happened.
But I went through it and youknow sometimes people ask why
bad things happen to good people.
(16:31):
I'm not perfect, but you knowmy heart is good towards you,
know why it happens and you knowsometimes it happens because
God is even allowing thatsituation.
I don't think he just wants todo us bad, but he knows how to
make all things work togetherfor good.
So, coming out of that now, myheart was sensitive towards
(16:55):
single women and children.
So wherever I could Icontributed.
When God blessed me, eventhrough the art.
I contributed where I could.
Not only that, because I sawhow the painting changed or
transitioned me from this messytype painting into something
beautiful again and I felt, bitby bit, being released, being
(17:18):
able to express and see what Ididn't even see, and that
measure of healing just broughtabout an interest.
So I started to do some studiesduring the pandemic season and
then I went into ministry withthat and I actually saw it
worked with a group of ladies.
I remember once they werecreating artwork.
(17:39):
There was one lady inparticular.
She was making a butterfly andwhile she was trying to hold up
the clay she was just droppingand dropping and sagging.
And the Lord just connectedwith me one time.
You have dreams, you want tofly, you want to achieve
different things, but you needthe right support.
That lady started to cry.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (17:59):
That touched me, to see how God used art to expose
what it is.
She was really feeling.
Even another one who's apsychologist, she said I know to
hide myself, but shoot, the artexposed me.
So all of these things, youknow, just encouraged me to
continue in that way and I haveseen results after results and
(18:21):
I'm really humbled and thankful,you know.
But the experiences, they sayyou cannot dry a tear unless you
cried.
So that stuck with me and Inever forgot.
There was an apostle Liverpooland I remember when I went to
one of her workshops she saidthis pain, everything that
you're going through, has aredemptive side.
Speaker 1 (18:43):
That's right.
Speaker 2 (18:44):
That unlocks my perspective on everything.
So I started to take a secondlook.
So then everything was comingtogether, now starting to work
together, my art had a differentmeaning.
My spiritual journey had aricher meaning.
The gifts he has given me hasmore purpose.
So everything just cametogether and that's why it is
(19:07):
creative art.
It's a well where different artskills, ideas will come
together, all for the wellnessof the body and the community.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
Yeah, it's so good.
I just love what you're sayingabout God using our places of
brokenness and our places wherehe brings us to victory, and
that to now use it as a platform.
The thing the enemies tried touse to destroy us, he wants to
use as the very platform todeclare his goodness and his
glory through us.
(19:35):
I think we've all got to beaware, though and I think this
is as people are listening tothis around the world I'm sure
there are people like, wow,that's why, maybe, I've been
going through all this warfare,that's why I've been going
through all this difficulty,because God's got this
incredible breakthrough plan forme to be able to use this for
his glory, and the enemy ispulling out all the stops in
(19:57):
order to try to defeat me anddeceive me into coming out of
agreement with what God's gotfor me and just kind of to be
able to set me to the side.
But, man, when we press through, just like you're saying, not
only does God get the glory, weget the opportunity to walk in
that, and see what the enemymeant for evil.
God used for good and fortransformation.
Speaker 2 (20:18):
That's so powerful, Absolutely, and I know what it
feels like to be going throughthis season where there's no
answer, no matter how long andhow much you pray or fast.
It seems like your prayer isbouncing back and it is so
dismal.
You're just like nothing ishappening and it's like with the
(20:39):
snap of a finger as you keeppushing through.
It's like God will say enoughis enough yeah, yeah and then
his blessings comes.
He floods, he purifies, heerases the fears, he give
answers to confirm what he hasbeen saying all along.
Some people, you, you receive aprophetic word, even about your
(21:02):
art, and I mean this momenthere.
Here is prophecy beingfulfilled.
The Lord said I'll be on mediaand I'll be on different parts
of the world.
And this has happened time andtime again.
It has happened to me inpreaching and sharing my life
story with Queen's Mindset.
And now, here I am with you andwe're talking about art.
Speaker 1 (21:23):
You understand.
Speaker 2 (21:23):
So how big is our God ?
Speaker 1 (21:25):
That's right, come on .
Speaker 2 (21:27):
Absolutely nothing is impossible and the main
objective when we go throughtesting times as creatives
because we tend to feel thingsdeeply we have to realign
ourselves with what God says andstay there, do not move.
Learn to part by the words ofGod and by the promises of God
(21:50):
and understand that his promisesare yes and amen.
All he needs us to do is tokeep saying amen.
Speaker 1 (21:58):
No matter how hard it gets.
Speaker 2 (22:00):
Keep saying amen.
Remember what christ wentthrough on our behalf the
beating, the embarrassment, thebleeding.
He said amen to god's will.
Did he rise?
I always reminded satan there'sa third day.
There's a third day, my thirdday is coming, so I keep
affirming that and I keep sayingthat and, wow, I'm living it
(22:24):
now that's so good I'm gettingsaved all over.
Speaker 1 (22:26):
Keep saying that and wow, I'm living it now.
That's so good, I'm gettingsaved all over again.
Just listening to you right nowI'm like woo, come on, somebody
, come on.
Hey, listen, I want you to giveyour website and all that and
tell everybody where they canfind you.
But you know, I don't askeverybody to do this.
I just feel like the Lord wantsyou to pray for people that are
in that moment in their life.
Maybe they've got something ontheir heart that they know that
(22:49):
God wants to release them into,but the enemy's been beating
them up.
The enemy's been, you know,torturing them in their mind,
trying to get them off track,trying to get them to give up.
The situation's too far gone.
They're too old, it's too late,they don't have enough money,
whatever it is, and God iswaiting on the other side of
that Amen Right To bringbreakthrough and to bring
(23:10):
victory in that.
And I just feel like the Lordwants to use you right now,
sherry Dean, to pray for peoplethat are dealing with that.
So can you just do that realquick as we, as we wrap up time
today?
Speaker 2 (23:20):
And definitely, father God, we thank you because
you are supreme, you aresovereign and you're in charge
of all the affairs of man, justas you spoke this world into
existence, just as youorchestrate the sun and the moon
and their functions.
Oh god, help your children,wherever they are, that they
will understand that god isorchestrating their moments,
(23:45):
regardless of how gloomy it maylook, how painful it may look,
how dismal it may look.
I speak to your heart right now.
Rise up and walk out of thosefeelings and out of those
emotions and climb into thewords of God and, even if you
cannot move, just call on thename Jesus.
(24:06):
Just say Jesus, I'm holding onto your word.
Just say Jesus, I'm holding onto your promises.
I know inside you have placedwithin me a gift, a calling to
represent your words visually.
Oh God, pull out the stops.
Almighty God, that yourchildren will walk in their
vision, walk in the words and inthe promises that you have
(24:28):
released in their lives.
All the promises of the Lord,all your promises, are yes and
amen and every day, help them tolook in the mirror and say amen
to your words.
Whatever promises you've made,write down the vision and put
amen next to it In the name ofJesus.
(24:49):
You said if two or three willjust do it and believe in your
name, it will be done.
And we call it done in the nameof the Father, the Son and the
Holy Spirit.
Amen and amen.
Amen.
Speaker 1 (25:04):
Listen.
If that doesn't get your firegoing, your wood is wet.
I mean, come on, listen, youknow this.
God's anointed you as agatherer and as a fire starter,
as one who breathes life.
In fact, sheridene, I just seeright now the Lord using you.
I just see, like your mouthopen and life, life, life coming
(25:28):
out all over the islands ofBarbados.
Lord, I thank you that you areusing her to wake up the dead
Lord, to wake up those who havelong had vision and yet not
known how to walk in it.
God, thank you that life, lifeand more life, god is being
breathed in her, to be breathedthrough her, and we just thank
(25:49):
you for that.
Lord and God, I just thank youfor rumblings and I thank you
for ripples all over the worldof what you're calling her to
God, that it doesn't just stopwhere she's at Lord, but you've
got big, big, big things for herLord and we just thank you for
that.
In Jesus name.
In Jesus name, amen, amen,listen, sheridine, tell
(26:09):
everybody where they can get intouch with you Social media
website, all the stuff.
Okay.
Speaker 2 (26:15):
So you can go to creativeartwellcom.
So creativeartwellcom, thatwill give you access to
everything You'll get access tomy personal Instagram accounts
Sheridine at Creative Art World.
Sheridine, you'll get access tomy gallery as well
(26:38):
Inspirational Fine Arts Gallery,mentorship Program, whatever
you need, even podcasts.
I started back Awesome, Istarted back.
I started back differenttestimonies and thoughts with
creative.
So just go tocreativeartwellcom and you'll
see everything.
And my number of course one,two, four, six, two, five, zero,
(26:59):
forty five, oh two.
Speaker 1 (27:01):
Whatsapp there you go , love it.
Well, sherid, listen.
What a joy to have you on thepodcast today.
I know people all over theworld are just.
I just feel refreshed aftertalking to you.
I know people are feeling thesame thing, so thank you so much
for being on the podcast todayand guys make sure to visit the
links that are in the show notesso that you can continue to
follow Sheridine and just followwhat God's doing through her
(27:23):
life.
So thanks so much for being ontoday.
Speaker 2 (27:26):
Bless you.
Speaker 1 (27:27):
Hey, my friend, before you go, make sure that
you're signed up for theThriving Christian Artist Weekly
.
It's my free newsletter, fullof spiritual encouragement,
creative inspiration andpractical tips to help you
thrive in everything that God'scalled you to do as an artist in
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Every issue is absolutely freeand it includes the latest
podcast episode, featured artistspotlights, a worship song of
(27:48):
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You can click the link righthere in the show notes to join
us, and it's a great way to stayconnected.
All right, love you, bye.
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