Saying YES to God Transformed This Artist's Life & Community: An Interview with Wendy Michelle Davis
September 5, 2025 • 32 mins
In this inspiring episode of The Thriving Christian Artist Podcast, I sit down with Texas-based artist Wendy Michelle Davis, whose creativity flows from her deep faith and her love for building authentic community among artists. From her booth at the Cottonwood Festival to the vibrant art scene in Waco, Wendy shares her journey of discovering her artistic voice, overcoming challenges, and stepping into her God-given calling.
We explore how she integrates her walk with the Lord into every piece she creates, why she’s passionate about helping other artists thrive, and the ways community can become a powerful catalyst for creativity and Kingdom impact. If you’ve ever felt alone in your art journey or wondered how to blend faith, artistry, and community, Wendy’s story will deeply encourage you.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- How Wendy found her unique artistic style and voice
- The role of community in an artist’s growth and success
- Integrating faith naturally into your creative practice
- Practical encouragement for artists navigating seasons of change
🌟 Favorite Quotes from This Episode:
- “We’re creators because we’re made in His image. God wants us to be creative—it’s part of who He is, and it’s a beautiful gift we get to explore with Him.” — Wendy Michelle Davis
- “Community is such a catalyst for creativity. When artists come together, something powerful happens.” — Matt Tommey
🌐 Connect with Wendy Michelle Davis: https://www.wendymichelledavis.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
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Matt Tommey (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, friends, welcomeback to the podcast.
Super glad that you're here.
I'm Matt Tommy, your host, andreally excited to have a friend
of mine, wendy Michelle Davis,who's not only an incredible
artist from down in Waco, nottoo far from where I'm at in
East Texas, but really somebodythat has a huge heart for
(00:41):
community as well, and so I'mreally excited to not only have
her share about her art lifetoday, but all that she's doing
to help other artists step intoeverything that God's created
them to be.
So, wendy, welcome.
So glad that you're here.
Wendy Michelle Davis (00:53):
Thanks for having me, Matt.
It's good to be here.
Matt Tommey (00:56):
It's so funny.
I have to tell everybody kindof how we met, because I'd seen
your work over at the CottonwoodFestival in Dallas which is one
of the I think one of thepremier shows out here and just
a fabulous show.
And then you came to a show outby us, out by where we live,
and I was like I asked my wife,I said, is that the woman that
(01:19):
we saw at Cottonwood?
And so I asked you, I'm like,were you at Cottonwood?
And you were like, are you Matt, Tommy?
And I was like, oh no, what'sgoing on?
Our worlds are colliding.
And you said that you'd beenlistening to the podcast for a
long time right.
Wendy Michelle Davis (01:36):
I think at that time it'd been a couple of
years that I've been listening.
A friend shared your podcastwith me and I found it so
encouraging.
I listened to it mostly when Ipaint and I've really enjoyed
the podcast.
But it was so cool to meet youout and at the Edom Art Festival
near Tyler You're in the Tylerarea.
I think.
Yeah, it was.
It was amazing to see you thereand yeah, cottonwood's a great
art festival too, for anyonelistening that wants to check it
(01:57):
out.
Matt Tommey (01:58):
Oh yeah, yeah, it's funny.
Moving from back east, you knowwe have we had a lot of great
shows there and being out herein the middle, it kind of feels
like the middle of nowhere inrural east texas, you know, I'm
like is there any art anywhere?
but we, there's so many greatshows in the dallas, fort worth
area, of course, what you'redoing in waco and austin and all
the other places.
So it's funny.
I'm just remembering anotherstory when we first moved here
(02:20):
to east texas, we went to alittle bitty um art and craft
show, you know, kind of acommunity little deal, and it
was right about before it closed.
It was kind of getting dark and, um, I walked by an artist's
booth and I didn't recognize hernecessarily, whatever we're
turning the corner, and all of asudden the booth, everything
was kind of quiet in the show atthat time it was about dusk.
(02:43):
This lady, in the middle of thisof the of the fair, goes, man
tommy, just like screams it outand I'm like oh, my gosh.
And we're like, oh, I'mmortified, like what is this?
And evidently she the same kindof thing, she'd be listening to
the podcast and all that, butshe was like freaking out, like
so excited.
You know, I was like I'm a realperson just like everybody else
(03:04):
.
That's so funny.
So you never know, and I'm sothankful that we met because it
really turned out to be a Godconnection.
You invited me later on to comedown to what you're doing at
Waco, which we'll get into in alittle bit, but I'm just so
honored to have gotten to knowyou over this last year or so
and I'm excited to have you onthe podcast.
(03:25):
So for those that are just kindof getting to know you, kind of
let everybody know who you are,what you do creatively, and
then we'll kind of jump into alittle bit of your backstory.
Wendy Michelle Davis (03:34):
Okay, sounds good.
Yeah, hi everybody.
My name's Wendy and I've been afull-time artist for four years
.
I've been an artist my wholelife, but I decided to make it a
career about four years ago.
And, yeah, I'm in Waco, texas.
But I, my husband and Irecently bought a toy hauler,
which is a, which is a trailer,that the back section.
(03:56):
We're using it for storage.
It folds down on the back, sowe carry it up and the front
side is our living space.
So we're traveling all over thenation.
We're heading up to Michigansoon and then down into Colorado
for shows and it's an adventure.
It's fun to do that with him.
I also do a lot here in Waco.
(04:16):
I host art retreats, I put onworkshops, a couple different
art fairs here.
Um, I love being involved inour community and shining a
light on artists too and andproviding community for artists
and also for the community atlarge to support artists as well
, that's so good.
Matt Tommey (04:35):
Now, like a lot of us uh, artists you weren't
always an artist.
Like forever, like you weredoing art, but you weren't doing
it professionally.
So what's that?
You're were in California rightBefore you got to Texas.
So how did you get into this?
Over the last four years, doingyour art full time, like what
was that journey like for you?
Wendy Michelle Davis (04:53):
Yeah, I guess.
In short, I've loved art sinceI can remember, thought about
going to art school out of highschool.
But kind of, my parents love meso much they're like we want
you to support yourself and manymindsets are that you can't
make a living as an artist.
So I ended up going into and Ihad a great time in college.
I played college sports and Igot an English degree because I
(05:15):
really enjoyed English too andthen went on to get my master's
in teaching English.
But I can never give up art,like it was always a part of me.
So I I continue to create art,do little shows here and there.
When I could, um lived in SantaCruz, california, for a while
and just there I worked at camp.
So I had a lot of a lot of.
(05:36):
I was really poor but I had alot of time to create.
I did all the things likeceramics, printmaking, um yeah.
Painting, drawing, art historyand photography.
I loved it all, but paintingwas always my first love and so,
yeah, lived overseas for awhile, didn't bring any art
supplies, was teaching overthere, but continued to create,
(05:58):
started getting involved in artsthere with the Abu Dhabi Art
Hub and putting on a coupleshows at hotels and things like
that.
So, long story short, I movedto Waco, texas, in 2018, was
still working and then COVID hitand at that time, I had joined
(06:22):
an online course with creativewaco and it was basically a
course for artists to findcommunity but also learn, like
the bit some, of the businessside of art, and that's what
started getting me connectedhere in waco and then, after
that, started doing shows hereand met my husband, rafael, and
he really encouraged me andpushed me to go full time and
(06:46):
and yeah, the rest is history.
Now I'm doing all kinds ofthings and I know it, I know it.
Matt Tommey (06:51):
You know I'm thinking about all those years
that you know English, major anddoing all the stuff you know
and kind of art was not theprimary thing you were doing in
your life, but it was a, it wasa part of it.
I just hear so many artists allthe time think that that's not
being a real artist.
You know that that that being areal artist is kind of like
what you're doing now, what I'mdoing now or whatever, like when
(07:12):
you're making your full-timeliving.
But I just think it's soimportant and I know you do too
because you work with, you knowhelping people kind of blossom
into who God's created them tobe creatively through your
retreats and all that.
People just really need toembrace the fact that wherever
and however your art is beingexpressed through your life,
that doesn't qualify you or notqualify you to be an artist.
(07:35):
You're an artist through all ofthat.
The expression of that ischanging and maybe even the
focus or the emphasis thatyou're able to give it in a
season of life is changing.
But you're still an artist inall of that.
I mean, did you always kind ofhave that, or was that something
that you struggled with as well.
Like I'm not a real artist.
Wendy Michelle Davis (07:52):
Yeah, I think imposter syndrome is real.
I felt it in like so many areasof my life and artist, just
because you're not doing a fulltime or making a living at it.
And I have people come up to meat shows or when I'm doing live
painting somewhere and they'relike are you using acrylic paint
?
I can tell they know about thepaints and things like that, oh,
you must be an artist.
And they always have thathesitation and I'm like no, you
(08:15):
are an artist.
And this is something I telleveryone now, because anytime
I'm sharing at whatever, like anart guild or church, I say
everyone's creative, everyonehas an artistic side, because
that's the way God made us.
I mean, if you read the firstchapter in the Bible, what's the
(08:36):
first thing he did?
He created, that's right.
We're creators too, becausewe're made in his image, and I
think I didn't even reallyrealize that until more recently
, and it's like it changed myperspective.
It's like God wants us to becreative because it's part of
who he is and it's thiswonderful gift of his attribute
that he's given us to exploreand enjoy and find fellowship
(09:00):
and communion with him too.
Matt Tommey (09:02):
Yeah, it's so important.
I was just talking this morningin the mentoring program.
I always kind of do a littlemonologue before we're getting
started with live q a and I wastalking to them about the
metrics that matter, you know,in our life and how it's so easy
from the world's perspective tohave all this pressure right to
.
To measure ourself bycomparison or what the world
(09:23):
says is important.
But especially, I think, forthose that are in that emerging
stage, it's so important torealize that it's faithfulness
to who God's called us to be andit's faithfulness to the
practice of creating art, evenwhen you don't feel like it's
doing anything other than justblessing you or blessing your
friends.
That's an important part of thejourney, and when we can
(09:44):
cultivate that and make that animportant part, god's in the
business of the impossible right.
He's in the business of takingwhat is little and turn it into
into something this big andsomething that's fulfilling for
us.
And so I just I'm just more andmore passionate every day, even
though so much of my life isbusiness, coaching with artists
and and that sort of thing.
You've got to get that heartplace in you, really settled
(10:09):
that this thing of being anartist, no matter how it's being
expressed.
It is, like you said, a giftfrom God and it's something
that's worthy.
So I know a lot of times, aspeople are transitioning from
that sort of hobbyist and maybea little bit of emerging into a
full-time, that can kind of be arocky transition.
I know we see a lot of that ina full-time.
That can kind of be a rockytransition.
I know we see a lot of that inthe mentoring program of I've
(10:31):
never run a business or I'venever done a spreadsheet or I've
never had to apply for shows orphotograph my work and in all
that sort of thing.
So how was that process for you?
And and I'd be interested evenin you sharing kind of what your
business is has emerged into,because you know there's so many
ways that that we as artistscan make a living now it's not
(10:52):
just selling our work direct toa customer, there are lots and
lots of different ways.
So what's that process been andwhat's what kind of uh, I guess
landscape does your businesshave right now as you're making
a living and doing thisfull-time?
Wendy Michelle Davis (11:06):
yeah, I agree that the transition into
going full time can be hard andI was kind of already working
towards it while working, so Iwould do shows when I could and
try to get my work out thereonline and all those things, and
fortunately I had my husband'ssupport he was working.
We also opened up like a coupleAirbnbs on our property, so
(11:28):
that did help having those otherincome streams coming in.
So, yeah, the first coupleyears especially were a lot of
ups and downs with income.
I'd have a great month, theshow that went really well, and
the next month not have a showor just, you know, not make much
, and so that can be hard.
But I'm still learning abouthow to do it all.
(11:50):
Right now my main income streamsare traveling and doing shows
and I've learned that I'm onlyone person and that's one thing
I really like beat myself upabout in the beginning was I
couldn't do all the things thatI wanted to do well.
So I'm learning I have to focuson one or two things and do
them well and then maybe pivot.
Like I just hired a studioassistant and I am thankful that
(12:12):
I have the money to have herpart-time so that she can do
some of the things that take upa lot of time, like prints and
then having like editing online.
She's going to help me kind ofrevamp my shop on my website, so
I'm looking forward to havingher.
That's her primary focus,versus me having to spend hours
and hours doing that.
And then I'm looking into otherthings, like once, once I get
(12:35):
done with this next series ofshows, where we're out in the
road for a couple months, I wantto look into licensing and I'm
having my studio assistantresearch.
Some Love it.
My studio assistant researchedsome Love it.
I need to do my work too, soit's wonderful.
But yeah, I mean, there's a lotof things when you're your own
(12:56):
business owner, like the gettingthe word out, the marketing,
the finances there's a lot to doand it can be overwhelming.
But I guess my advice to othersis, if you can try to have
someone help you with some, ofthose things.
Hire an accountant, an assistant, even if it's just like she's
just a college grad, so it'sperfect, she's willing to work
(13:17):
part time or maybe someone who'sretired, someone that wants to
help out with your business orlikes your art, can be huge.
It takes a huge burden off me.
So try to find help when youcan and also realize that the
Lord's taking care of everything.
Like find time for rest, andthat's my word for the year.
(13:38):
I feel like the Lord's told methat this year it's like find
time for rest.
So take days out of the weekwhere I don't do near as much
work and spend more time.
So take days out of the weekwhere I don't do near as much
work and spend more time likemaybe just take a nap or go like
go on a walk or just spendextra time with the Lord, and
that way just removes thatpressure on me to do it all,
remembering that he's ourprovider, he's the one that's
(14:00):
going to equip us for what weneed.
And now that I've started to dothat, I've realized that it's
almost like I feel like I havemore time than I thought that I
had, because, I don't know, it'slike almost magical, because I
feel like the Lord's more time,even though I'm taking a little
more time off to rest.
So I don't know if that makessense.
Matt Tommey (14:19):
No, I totally love that because I think it's this
intentional, you know idea ofchoosing to walk in in this
mentality of Sabbath.
Rest that if.
I'll invest this time in my timewith the Lord, or in resting or
in inspiration or reflecting.
If I'll choose to do that andtrust him in that he can provide
(14:39):
more in six days than I canstriving on my own in seven.
Right, it's this, this choosingto not get into the the
striving and hustle and grindmentality, but realize that you
know what, when I'm faithfulwith what God puts in my hand,
he's the one that's promised tobring fruit, he's the one that's
promised to bringmultiplication and acceleration.
And I know, for me, I think forall of us, you know it's when I
(15:03):
turn my attention to trying toget into the fruit production
business and trying to get intothe make it happen business,
right, that's when things reallyget frustrated.
And I just applaud you forstepping out with the whole
studio assistant thing.
I mean, I know for me I had astudio assistant that I believe
she was a student first and thenbecame an intern and then
became a fart, a part-time andthen full-time.
(15:25):
Uh, you know person, but man,that was a big turning point for
me because it gives youleverage and it lets you do the
things that are most importantin your business right Of
painting and creating new ideasand networking with clients,
rather than having to do theresearch and do all the other
stuff that they can do.
So you're probably going to seea lot of fruit from that in the
(15:47):
next, you know, coming months.
Just to you know, be able tofocus on the things that God's
created you uniquely to do, Ithink that's huge.
Wendy Michelle Davis (15:56):
Yeah, I'm so thrilled to have her.
She's great.
Matt Tommey (15:58):
Yeah, yeah, absolutely.
You know you talk about rest.
You invited me and Tanya tocome down for one of the
retreats that you host at yourhome.
And guys, I'm just telling you,when you walk in Wendy's house,
you smell the aroma ofRaphael's incredible food and
you see beautiful art beingcreated and old growth.
One of the like live oak treesaround.
(16:21):
And aren't y'all on like thisbluff or something you can like,
it's just.
It's just this magical placeyou don't expect to see in in
middle Texas and it just exudesrest.
So, um, talk about this placethat you guys are intentionally
creating and and the heartbehind community, because I know
you just as much as you love tocreate.
You also love to createcommunity and and help people
(16:42):
deepen you know, their, theircreative side and relationship
with each other.
Wendy Michelle Davis (16:46):
Yeah, well , first of all, it was so good
to have you and Tanya, thank youfor coming out.
Yeah, our property is reallyreally special and it's a gift.
And like almost immediatelywhen we got here, it was like,
yes, the space is not just forus, it's for us and others,
(17:08):
neighbors and artists.
Yeah, I do believe God's calledme to community.
I do think since I was a child,he's put on my heart to bring
people together, not always withart, but now it's more centered
around art.
And, yeah, the things we do arepurposeful and bringing artists
together, because artists oftenare isolated.
(17:30):
And I didn't share this with youthe first time we chatted.
This is our second go aroundwith the podcast.
I connection on the first one,but I feel like the Lord's
telling me to share it.
Maybe someone needs to hear it.
But my brother was a reallywonderful artist.
He was a couple of yearsyounger than me and he was super
dedicated, like eight hours aday, worked really hard at it,
(17:51):
struggled a lot and was reallyintroverted too.
He had a hard time sharing whathe was going through, but he
ended up taking his life.
He knew the Lord, but he lethorrible thoughts and fears get
into his head and when I lookback on that I'm like I wish I
would have seen that more.
I was living a distance so wedidn't communicate as much.
(18:12):
But I think it was justthinking about that this morning
.
I was like, oh, I feel like Ineed to share it.
You need to find community, youneed to find artists who love
Jesus too, and sometimes that'swhat you do, artists who are,
who love Jesus too and sometimesthat's what you do or even just
people that love Jesus, thatsupport your art, because the
enemy loves to whisper lies thatcan really sparkle us down into
(18:35):
holes, and maybe not everyone'sthinking horrible thoughts
about themselves or their art.
But finding community helps getyou out of those holes.
It encourages us, it inspiresus.
We're much stronger as as awhole versus separate and
artists are not like compete.
(18:56):
We are competing in a sense thatwe all want our art to be
purchased, but more than that,it's better to come together and
support each other and, um, Ifeel like it's so much more
breakthrough when we findcommunity, like what you're
doing with your mentoringprogram.
And so, yeah, the art retreatsare one of the great ways we do
(19:17):
that.
It's small group, usually 12people or so, and I love that we
do whole group and small groupshares of our art.
We bring in a guest speaker toencourage and to just educate as
well, and just showing eachother our work is so good.
It can be scary, but it's sogood to show it to each other so
(19:37):
we can get feedback, andsometimes you might think a
piece is terrible and then youhear from other people all the
things they love about it orthey or they'll just help you
find a way to make it better.
Matt Tommey (19:55):
Yeah.
So community is is vital forartists.
You know, the thing I loveabout what you're doing there in
particular is, I think, so manytimes when people artists are
thinking about, you know,building multiple streams of
income, or we talk aboutteaching and all this kind of
thing, they immediately startgoing to.
Well, I got to have a bigclassroom, or I got to have a
building to do that, or I got tohave all this stuff, and it's
like I just have always believed.
You know, parable of thetalents, matthew 25, you've been
(20:16):
faithful with little.
I'll make you ruler over much.
And I think what I see you guysdoing is, like Lord, you've
given us this beautiful placeand we've got a heart for people
and my husband can cook.
You've given us this beautifulplace and we've got a heart for
people and my husband can cook,and we've got a studio.
You know this, this built onthe house that we got an outdoor
area, a fire pit and a pavilion.
You know there's out here, likeLord, how can we use this?
(20:36):
And it's like just by simplyoffering what you have to the
Lord.
All of a sudden it becomes thiskind of opportunity for
breakthrough and transformationin the lives of others and I
don't know.
I just would encourage you tospeak about that to people that
maybe have a heart to teach orhave a heart to do this kind of
stuff, but maybe think theycan't, like I'm not qualified to
(20:57):
do that or I don't have all thestuff I need yet.
Like you have exactly what youneed.
If God's put it on your heart,you have exactly what you need.
You may not think it is, youmay be trying to overthink it,
but you have what you need ifyou'll just get started Right.
Wendy Michelle Davis (21:09):
Yeah, I just had that.
If you're faithful in thelittle things, he'll be faithful
with much and and man, Ihaven't done it all right and I
often get in my head aboutthings that I've learned to like
.
When that starts happening inmy head to just say stop you
know the enemy whispering thelies again and start looking at
the truth about what God saysabout me and what you know, what
(21:30):
the Lord can do through what we, what we, offer to him.
But yeah, as far as like, it'skind of grown over the past four
years.
It started off with artretreats and workshops and now
we're doing open studios everySaturday where people can come
in.
I always tell them they canenjoy the property.
We often try to cook food forpeople so they can come and eat
(21:53):
and hang out.
And now we're doing art fairs.
So we just had one on ourproperty this past year called
the Backyard Boutique Art Fairand it was so great and God
bless us with great weather.
We had a couple dozen artistsout here.
Some of them were just out livepainting in the garden booths
(22:13):
up selling their work.
We had musicians playing.
It was really, really special,and then I've got an art show
coming up in the fall innovember.
That is going to be our thirdyear for this show.
It's called the austin avenueart fair here in waco.
Even though it says AustinAvenue, it's actually in Waco,
started on Austin Avenue, butwe're really excited about it.
(22:36):
I've got a team of people nowGod's blessing with people that
want to get involved, so I'vegot, I think, over 10 people
helping me with differentaspects of the show, which
really makes it a lot easier forme when I've got other people
taking care of the music, thevolunteers, the live art.
I'm mostly managing just thebooth artist and all the
(22:57):
logistics.
Still a lot of work, but it'ssuch a blessing to see the
community, especially Waco Waco,come around this um and we're
starting to get people fromother other towns coming in too,
from dallas and austin andeverywhere in between um coming
out for the austin avenue artfair, so it's exciting it's so
(23:18):
good.
Matt Tommey (23:19):
I mean god moves in us and then he moves through us
, right?
I mean, that's just the patternof the kingdom.
And I just I'd be interested,because I know people are asking
like, is she like this superduper planner that's had like
this master plan all these yearsto have this incredible
influence in teaching and showsand all this kind of stuff?
And if I'm just knowing you thelittle bit that we've gotten to
(23:39):
know each other, you kind ofseem to be the person that, like
God is just God just speaksomething gently to your heart
and you're just crazy enough tosay yes to it and you start
stepping out at it and then Godblesses it.
So what, what does this looklike?
Is all that you're doing, likebeen on a list for 10 years and
you're just executing achecklist, or these just moments
that that God opens up to youand you say, well, okay, I'll
(24:02):
try, I'll be crazy enough to trythat and step out, and God just
opens it up Like what's that?
What's that journey been likefor you?
Wendy Michelle Davis (24:08):
Yeah, it's , it's more of the yeah, just
listening, listening for theLord and what he wants to, what
he wants to do with what I'mdoing.
I never thought I put on artfairs.
I don't even.
It's almost like I don't knowhow it happened, but I can't
(24:29):
hear the story with you.
So I had been applying to getinto a big show here with
Magnolia and it didn't work outbecause I got rejected.
They only take a few artists ayear and at that same time that
I got the rejection email, myhusband and I were sitting at a
restaurant downtown and therewas a venue across the street
with big, beautiful, openwindows and I contacted them and
that's how the art fair started.
(24:49):
Just, the door was swung wideopen.
Often, if you feel like theLord's leading you to something,
if you just kind of stepthrough that door or just kind
of knock on it, if it's from him, often it'll just.
It'll just work out.
Like the first time I put onthe show, it was like everything
was working out so easily, um,so it was like, okay, lord, this
(25:11):
is definitely from you.
Um, but yeah, I, I never hadlike big aspirations of putting
on art fairs.
In fact, um, my nature wouldtend to be the opposite.
I'm a little more introverted.
I have a hard time speaking infront of groups, large settings
where I have to.
Like you know, I had to speakon a microphone at the last fair
(25:33):
, but the Lord gives you thestrength and the ability to do
it when you've got something infront of you that you just feel
like he's showing you that thisis what you're supposed to do.
Matt Tommey (25:46):
When his grace is on it, no matter if you're an
extrovert or introvert, right,it's him doing it.
You're just kind of cooperatingwith that and I'm sure I mean I
always call myself anextroverted introvert because I
can put on the show and do allthe stuff, but I really do rest
and recharge, like in quietspaces and I love that.
So I'm sure in all that you'redoing, I mean, like you said,
(26:07):
you're having to be intentionalabout refueling and refiring
your own heart so that you cannot only be in a good place
personally in your marriage butalso for the other brothers that
you're serving, right.
Wendy Michelle Davis (26:20):
Yeah, no, it has to start with time with
the Lord.
And yeah, like reading throughyour book Unlocking the Heart of
the Artist, when you felt likeGod was calling you into more of
an art career, even before that, like I remember you saying,
like I felt like God was tellingme just to fall on my face and
worship, and so much of it isjust dedicating our lives to Him
(26:44):
and to worshiping Him and to,yeah, taking the time to be
quiet and listen for His voice.
Because if you look at the lifeof Jesus, he was never in a
hurry.
He got away from His disciplesand from all the people that
were just, you know, alwaysaround him and he refreshed with
the Lord.
And when you do that, then it'slike the Lord fills you back up
(27:06):
to be able to go out again.
But yeah, I'm like you, I needthat quiet time.
I need that time to replenishbecause I'm kind of a social
introvert, but being aroundpeople will drain me pretty fast
.
Matt Tommey (27:20):
Oh yeah, I'm the same way, but I love that
scripture and Proverbs.
It's like he who refreshesothers will himself be refreshed
, and it's like if God's calledyou to that, he's going to give
you grace for it as we choose.
You know, even in those momentsthey're like, well, I'm
overwhelmed.
The grace is there, therefreshing is there, and then we
pull away and we get refilled.
I just, I get refilled.
(27:46):
I just, I just love that.
It's a good, a good pattern foranybody's life, not not just
artists.
So well, Wendy, I know peopleare going to want to connect
with you and find out about theretreats that you're doing and
just seeing your work and allthat.
So where's the the best place?
They can find you online, onsocials and all the places.
Wendy Michelle Davis (27:54):
Thank you.
Uh, so my website is WendyMichelle Daviscom and it's
wendymichelledavis on instagramand, I think, art by wendy
michelle davis on facebook.
Um, if you're interested in anyof the art fairs, um, you can
find those on my profile oninstagram, or the austin avenue
(28:14):
art fair isaustinavenueartfaircom.
Um, but yeah, if anyone has anyquestions for me or you're
looking into, you know, startingan art fair, feel free to reach
out.
And, matt, before I leave, Ijust had a couple verses in
Psalm 30.
Can I share that?
I was reading it this morningand I felt like it might be a
(28:35):
great way to wrap up a greatconversation.
I think it really applies to theartist, but I mean anyone, but
I was thinking of it from thatperspective.
So it's Psalm 34, verses 2through 5.
(28:56):
And let us exalt his nametogether.
I sought the Lord and heanswered me and delivered me
from all my fears.
Those who look to him areradiant and their faces shall
never be ashamed Like beinghumble as an artist is really
important and then making ourboast in him, remembering that
every good gift is from the Lordand that includes the art we
(29:19):
create, magnifying him in ourwork, exalting His name together
.
And then we have a lot of fear,you know, in sharing our work
or putting it out there orstepping out in faith.
But when we seek Him, he'sgoing to deliver us from all our
fears.
And when we look at him insteadof looking at the world or
(29:41):
looking at all the other peoplesucceeding, you know, on
Instagram or whatever, if welook to him, our faces will be
radiant and we'll never beashamed.
Matt Tommey (29:48):
So good.
Wendy Michelle Davis (29:48):
Courageous people because it's like
totally spoke to me this morning.
Matt Tommey (29:52):
Absolutely, absolutely.
I love it when the words justjump off the page, so you're
like, pay attention to this.
Well, wendy, you're a gift toso many of the people that you
serve, and to us and to ouraudience.
So thank you for taking time tobe with us today.
Guys, be sure to go to Wendy'swebsite, look her up on social,
follow, buy, join, do all thestuff, and so she can know that.
(30:13):
You heard about her right hereon the podcast, but again, thank
you so much for sharing yourstory and being with us today.
Wendy Michelle Davis (30:20):
Thanks, matt, I really appreciate you
Thanks.
Matt Tommey (30:24):
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,
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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
(30:45):
the week and, again, tons oftips and encouragement and
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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.
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, friends, welcomeback to the podcast.
Super glad that you're here.
I'm Matt Tommy, your host, andreally excited to have a friend
of mine, wendy Michelle Davis,who's not only an incredible
artist from down in Waco, nottoo far from where I'm at in
East Texas, but really somebodythat has a huge heart for
(00:41):
community as well, and so I'mreally excited to not only have
her share about her art lifetoday, but all that she's doing
to help other artists step intoeverything that God's created
them to be.
So, wendy, welcome.
So glad that you're here.
Wendy Michelle Davis (00:53):
Thanks for having me, Matt.
It's good to be here.
Matt Tommey (00:56):
It's so funny.
I have to tell everybody kindof how we met, because I'd seen
your work over at the CottonwoodFestival in Dallas which is one
of the I think one of thepremier shows out here and just
a fabulous show.
And then you came to a show outby us, out by where we live,
and I was like I asked my wife,I said, is that the woman that
(01:19):
we saw at Cottonwood?
And so I asked you, I'm like,were you at Cottonwood?
And you were like, are you Matt, Tommy?
And I was like, oh no, what'sgoing on?
Our worlds are colliding.
And you said that you'd beenlistening to the podcast for a
long time right.
Wendy Michelle Davis (01:36):
I think at that time it'd been a couple of
years that I've been listening.
A friend shared your podcastwith me and I found it so
encouraging.
I listened to it mostly when Ipaint and I've really enjoyed
the podcast.
But it was so cool to meet youout and at the Edom Art Festival
near Tyler You're in the Tylerarea.
I think.
Yeah, it was.
It was amazing to see you thereand yeah, cottonwood's a great
art festival too, for anyonelistening that wants to check it
(01:57):
out.
Matt Tommey (01:58):
Oh yeah, yeah, it's funny.
Moving from back east, you knowwe have we had a lot of great
shows there and being out herein the middle, it kind of feels
like the middle of nowhere inrural east texas, you know, I'm
like is there any art anywhere?
but we, there's so many greatshows in the dallas, fort worth
area, of course, what you'redoing in waco and austin and all
the other places.
So it's funny.
I'm just remembering anotherstory when we first moved here
(02:20):
to east texas, we went to alittle bitty um art and craft
show, you know, kind of acommunity little deal, and it
was right about before it closed.
It was kind of getting dark and, um, I walked by an artist's
booth and I didn't recognize hernecessarily, whatever we're
turning the corner, and all of asudden the booth, everything
was kind of quiet in the show atthat time it was about dusk.
(02:43):
This lady, in the middle of thisof the of the fair, goes, man
tommy, just like screams it outand I'm like oh, my gosh.
And we're like, oh, I'mmortified, like what is this?
And evidently she the same kindof thing, she'd be listening to
the podcast and all that, butshe was like freaking out, like
so excited.
You know, I was like I'm a realperson just like everybody else
(03:04):
.
That's so funny.
So you never know, and I'm sothankful that we met because it
really turned out to be a Godconnection.
You invited me later on to comedown to what you're doing at
Waco, which we'll get into in alittle bit, but I'm just so
honored to have gotten to knowyou over this last year or so
and I'm excited to have you onthe podcast.
(03:25):
So for those that are just kindof getting to know you, kind of
let everybody know who you are,what you do creatively, and
then we'll kind of jump into alittle bit of your backstory.
Wendy Michelle Davis (03:34):
Okay, sounds good.
Yeah, hi everybody.
My name's Wendy and I've been afull-time artist for four years
.
I've been an artist my wholelife, but I decided to make it a
career about four years ago.
And, yeah, I'm in Waco, texas.
But I, my husband and Irecently bought a toy hauler,
which is a, which is a trailer,that the back section.
(03:56):
We're using it for storage.
It folds down on the back, sowe carry it up and the front
side is our living space.
So we're traveling all over thenation.
We're heading up to Michigansoon and then down into Colorado
for shows and it's an adventure.
It's fun to do that with him.
I also do a lot here in Waco.
(04:16):
I host art retreats, I put onworkshops, a couple different
art fairs here.
Um, I love being involved inour community and shining a
light on artists too and andproviding community for artists
and also for the community atlarge to support artists as well
, that's so good.
Matt Tommey (04:35):
Now, like a lot of us uh, artists you weren't
always an artist.
Like forever, like you weredoing art, but you weren't doing
it professionally.
So what's that?
You're were in California rightBefore you got to Texas.
So how did you get into this?
Over the last four years, doingyour art full time, like what
was that journey like for you?
Wendy Michelle Davis (04:53):
Yeah, I guess.
In short, I've loved art sinceI can remember, thought about
going to art school out of highschool.
But kind of, my parents love meso much they're like we want
you to support yourself and manymindsets are that you can't
make a living as an artist.
So I ended up going into and Ihad a great time in college.
I played college sports and Igot an English degree because I
(05:15):
really enjoyed English too andthen went on to get my master's
in teaching English.
But I can never give up art,like it was always a part of me.
So I I continue to create art,do little shows here and there.
When I could, um lived in SantaCruz, california, for a while
and just there I worked at camp.
So I had a lot of a lot of.
(05:36):
I was really poor but I had alot of time to create.
I did all the things likeceramics, printmaking, um yeah.
Painting, drawing, art historyand photography.
I loved it all, but paintingwas always my first love and so,
yeah, lived overseas for awhile, didn't bring any art
supplies, was teaching overthere, but continued to create,
(05:58):
started getting involved in artsthere with the Abu Dhabi Art
Hub and putting on a coupleshows at hotels and things like
that.
So, long story short, I movedto Waco, texas, in 2018, was
still working and then COVID hitand at that time, I had joined
(06:22):
an online course with creativewaco and it was basically a
course for artists to findcommunity but also learn, like
the bit some, of the businessside of art, and that's what
started getting me connectedhere in waco and then, after
that, started doing shows hereand met my husband, rafael, and
he really encouraged me andpushed me to go full time and
(06:46):
and yeah, the rest is history.
Now I'm doing all kinds ofthings and I know it, I know it.
Matt Tommey (06:51):
You know I'm thinking about all those years
that you know English, major anddoing all the stuff you know
and kind of art was not theprimary thing you were doing in
your life, but it was a, it wasa part of it.
I just hear so many artists allthe time think that that's not
being a real artist.
You know that that that being areal artist is kind of like
what you're doing now, what I'mdoing now or whatever, like when
(07:12):
you're making your full-timeliving.
But I just think it's soimportant and I know you do too
because you work with, you knowhelping people kind of blossom
into who God's created them tobe creatively through your
retreats and all that.
People just really need toembrace the fact that wherever
and however your art is beingexpressed through your life,
that doesn't qualify you or notqualify you to be an artist.
(07:35):
You're an artist through all ofthat.
The expression of that ischanging and maybe even the
focus or the emphasis thatyou're able to give it in a
season of life is changing.
But you're still an artist inall of that.
I mean, did you always kind ofhave that, or was that something
that you struggled with as well.
Like I'm not a real artist.
Wendy Michelle Davis (07:52):
Yeah, I think imposter syndrome is real.
I felt it in like so many areasof my life and artist, just
because you're not doing a fulltime or making a living at it.
And I have people come up to meat shows or when I'm doing live
painting somewhere and they'relike are you using acrylic paint
?
I can tell they know about thepaints and things like that, oh,
you must be an artist.
And they always have thathesitation and I'm like no, you
(08:15):
are an artist.
And this is something I telleveryone now, because anytime
I'm sharing at whatever, like anart guild or church, I say
everyone's creative, everyonehas an artistic side, because
that's the way God made us.
I mean, if you read the firstchapter in the Bible, what's the
(08:36):
first thing he did?
He created, that's right.
We're creators too, becausewe're made in his image, and I
think I didn't even reallyrealize that until more recently
, and it's like it changed myperspective.
It's like God wants us to becreative because it's part of
who he is and it's thiswonderful gift of his attribute
that he's given us to exploreand enjoy and find fellowship
(09:00):
and communion with him too.
Matt Tommey (09:02):
Yeah, it's so important.
I was just talking this morningin the mentoring program.
I always kind of do a littlemonologue before we're getting
started with live q a and I wastalking to them about the
metrics that matter, you know,in our life and how it's so easy
from the world's perspective tohave all this pressure right to
.
To measure ourself bycomparison or what the world
(09:23):
says is important.
But especially, I think, forthose that are in that emerging
stage, it's so important torealize that it's faithfulness
to who God's called us to be andit's faithfulness to the
practice of creating art, evenwhen you don't feel like it's
doing anything other than justblessing you or blessing your
friends.
That's an important part of thejourney, and when we can
(09:44):
cultivate that and make that animportant part, god's in the
business of the impossible right.
He's in the business of takingwhat is little and turn it into
into something this big andsomething that's fulfilling for
us.
And so I just I'm just more andmore passionate every day, even
though so much of my life isbusiness, coaching with artists
and and that sort of thing.
You've got to get that heartplace in you, really settled
(10:09):
that this thing of being anartist, no matter how it's being
expressed.
It is, like you said, a giftfrom God and it's something
that's worthy.
So I know a lot of times, aspeople are transitioning from
that sort of hobbyist and maybea little bit of emerging into a
full-time, that can kind of be arocky transition.
I know we see a lot of that ina full-time.
That can kind of be a rockytransition.
I know we see a lot of that inthe mentoring program of I've
(10:31):
never run a business or I'venever done a spreadsheet or I've
never had to apply for shows orphotograph my work and in all
that sort of thing.
So how was that process for you?
And and I'd be interested evenin you sharing kind of what your
business is has emerged into,because you know there's so many
ways that that we as artistscan make a living now it's not
(10:52):
just selling our work direct toa customer, there are lots and
lots of different ways.
So what's that process been andwhat's what kind of uh, I guess
landscape does your businesshave right now as you're making
a living and doing thisfull-time?
Wendy Michelle Davis (11:06):
yeah, I agree that the transition into
going full time can be hard andI was kind of already working
towards it while working, so Iwould do shows when I could and
try to get my work out thereonline and all those things, and
fortunately I had my husband'ssupport he was working.
We also opened up like a coupleAirbnbs on our property, so
(11:28):
that did help having those otherincome streams coming in.
So, yeah, the first coupleyears especially were a lot of
ups and downs with income.
I'd have a great month, theshow that went really well, and
the next month not have a showor just, you know, not make much
, and so that can be hard.
But I'm still learning abouthow to do it all.
(11:50):
Right now my main income streamsare traveling and doing shows
and I've learned that I'm onlyone person and that's one thing
I really like beat myself upabout in the beginning was I
couldn't do all the things thatI wanted to do well.
So I'm learning I have to focuson one or two things and do
them well and then maybe pivot.
Like I just hired a studioassistant and I am thankful that
(12:12):
I have the money to have herpart-time so that she can do
some of the things that take upa lot of time, like prints and
then having like editing online.
She's going to help me kind ofrevamp my shop on my website, so
I'm looking forward to havingher.
That's her primary focus,versus me having to spend hours
and hours doing that.
And then I'm looking into otherthings, like once, once I get
(12:35):
done with this next series ofshows, where we're out in the
road for a couple months, I wantto look into licensing and I'm
having my studio assistantresearch.
Some Love it.
My studio assistant researchedsome Love it.
I need to do my work too, soit's wonderful.
But yeah, I mean, there's a lotof things when you're your own
(12:56):
business owner, like the gettingthe word out, the marketing,
the finances there's a lot to doand it can be overwhelming.
But I guess my advice to othersis, if you can try to have
someone help you with some, ofthose things.
Hire an accountant, an assistant, even if it's just like she's
just a college grad, so it'sperfect, she's willing to work
(13:17):
part time or maybe someone who'sretired, someone that wants to
help out with your business orlikes your art, can be huge.
It takes a huge burden off me.
So try to find help when youcan and also realize that the
Lord's taking care of everything.
Like find time for rest, andthat's my word for the year.
(13:38):
I feel like the Lord's told methat this year it's like find
time for rest.
So take days out of the weekwhere I don't do near as much
work and spend more time.
So take days out of the weekwhere I don't do near as much
work and spend more time likemaybe just take a nap or go like
go on a walk or just spendextra time with the Lord, and
that way just removes thatpressure on me to do it all,
remembering that he's ourprovider, he's the one that's
(14:00):
going to equip us for what weneed.
And now that I've started to dothat, I've realized that it's
almost like I feel like I havemore time than I thought that I
had, because, I don't know, it'slike almost magical, because I
feel like the Lord's more time,even though I'm taking a little
more time off to rest.
So I don't know if that makessense.
Matt Tommey (14:19):
No, I totally love that because I think it's this
intentional, you know idea ofchoosing to walk in in this
mentality of Sabbath.
Rest that if.
I'll invest this time in my timewith the Lord, or in resting or
in inspiration or reflecting.
If I'll choose to do that andtrust him in that he can provide
(14:39):
more in six days than I canstriving on my own in seven.
Right, it's this, this choosingto not get into the the
striving and hustle and grindmentality, but realize that you
know what, when I'm faithfulwith what God puts in my hand,
he's the one that's promised tobring fruit, he's the one that's
promised to bringmultiplication and acceleration.
And I know, for me, I think forall of us, you know it's when I
(15:03):
turn my attention to trying toget into the fruit production
business and trying to get intothe make it happen business,
right, that's when things reallyget frustrated.
And I just applaud you forstepping out with the whole
studio assistant thing.
I mean, I know for me I had astudio assistant that I believe
she was a student first and thenbecame an intern and then
became a fart, a part-time andthen full-time.
(15:25):
Uh, you know person, but man,that was a big turning point for
me because it gives youleverage and it lets you do the
things that are most importantin your business right Of
painting and creating new ideasand networking with clients,
rather than having to do theresearch and do all the other
stuff that they can do.
So you're probably going to seea lot of fruit from that in the
(15:47):
next, you know, coming months.
Just to you know, be able tofocus on the things that God's
created you uniquely to do, Ithink that's huge.
Wendy Michelle Davis (15:56):
Yeah, I'm so thrilled to have her.
She's great.
Matt Tommey (15:58):
Yeah, yeah, absolutely.
You know you talk about rest.
You invited me and Tanya tocome down for one of the
retreats that you host at yourhome.
And guys, I'm just telling you,when you walk in Wendy's house,
you smell the aroma ofRaphael's incredible food and
you see beautiful art beingcreated and old growth.
One of the like live oak treesaround.
(16:21):
And aren't y'all on like thisbluff or something you can like,
it's just.
It's just this magical placeyou don't expect to see in in
middle Texas and it just exudesrest.
So, um, talk about this placethat you guys are intentionally
creating and and the heartbehind community, because I know
you just as much as you love tocreate.
You also love to createcommunity and and help people
(16:42):
deepen you know, their, theircreative side and relationship
with each other.
Wendy Michelle Davis (16:46):
Yeah, well , first of all, it was so good
to have you and Tanya, thank youfor coming out.
Yeah, our property is reallyreally special and it's a gift.
And like almost immediatelywhen we got here, it was like,
yes, the space is not just forus, it's for us and others,
(17:08):
neighbors and artists.
Yeah, I do believe God's calledme to community.
I do think since I was a child,he's put on my heart to bring
people together, not always withart, but now it's more centered
around art.
And, yeah, the things we do arepurposeful and bringing artists
together, because artists oftenare isolated.
(17:30):
And I didn't share this with youthe first time we chatted.
This is our second go aroundwith the podcast.
I connection on the first one,but I feel like the Lord's
telling me to share it.
Maybe someone needs to hear it.
But my brother was a reallywonderful artist.
He was a couple of yearsyounger than me and he was super
dedicated, like eight hours aday, worked really hard at it,
(17:51):
struggled a lot and was reallyintroverted too.
He had a hard time sharing whathe was going through, but he
ended up taking his life.
He knew the Lord, but he lethorrible thoughts and fears get
into his head and when I lookback on that I'm like I wish I
would have seen that more.
I was living a distance so wedidn't communicate as much.
(18:12):
But I think it was justthinking about that this morning
.
I was like, oh, I feel like Ineed to share it.
You need to find community, youneed to find artists who love
Jesus too, and sometimes that'swhat you do, artists who are,
who love Jesus too and sometimesthat's what you do or even just
people that love Jesus, thatsupport your art, because the
enemy loves to whisper lies thatcan really sparkle us down into
(18:35):
holes, and maybe not everyone'sthinking horrible thoughts
about themselves or their art.
But finding community helps getyou out of those holes.
It encourages us, it inspiresus.
We're much stronger as as awhole versus separate and
artists are not like compete.
(18:56):
We are competing in a sense thatwe all want our art to be
purchased, but more than that,it's better to come together and
support each other and, um, Ifeel like it's so much more
breakthrough when we findcommunity, like what you're
doing with your mentoringprogram.
And so, yeah, the art retreatsare one of the great ways we do
(19:17):
that.
It's small group, usually 12people or so, and I love that we
do whole group and small groupshares of our art.
We bring in a guest speaker toencourage and to just educate as
well, and just showing eachother our work is so good.
It can be scary, but it's sogood to show it to each other so
(19:37):
we can get feedback, andsometimes you might think a
piece is terrible and then youhear from other people all the
things they love about it orthey or they'll just help you
find a way to make it better.
Matt Tommey (19:55):
Yeah.
So community is is vital forartists.
You know, the thing I loveabout what you're doing there in
particular is, I think, so manytimes when people artists are
thinking about, you know,building multiple streams of
income, or we talk aboutteaching and all this kind of
thing, they immediately startgoing to.
Well, I got to have a bigclassroom, or I got to have a
building to do that, or I got tohave all this stuff, and it's
like I just have always believed.
You know, parable of thetalents, matthew 25, you've been
(20:16):
faithful with little.
I'll make you ruler over much.
And I think what I see you guysdoing is, like Lord, you've
given us this beautiful placeand we've got a heart for people
and my husband can cook.
You've given us this beautifulplace and we've got a heart for
people and my husband can cook,and we've got a studio.
You know this, this built onthe house that we got an outdoor
area, a fire pit and a pavilion.
You know there's out here, likeLord, how can we use this?
(20:36):
And it's like just by simplyoffering what you have to the
Lord.
All of a sudden it becomes thiskind of opportunity for
breakthrough and transformationin the lives of others and I
don't know.
I just would encourage you tospeak about that to people that
maybe have a heart to teach orhave a heart to do this kind of
stuff, but maybe think theycan't, like I'm not qualified to
(20:57):
do that or I don't have all thestuff I need yet.
Like you have exactly what youneed.
If God's put it on your heart,you have exactly what you need.
You may not think it is, youmay be trying to overthink it,
but you have what you need ifyou'll just get started Right.
Wendy Michelle Davis (21:09):
Yeah, I just had that.
If you're faithful in thelittle things, he'll be faithful
with much and and man, Ihaven't done it all right and I
often get in my head aboutthings that I've learned to like
.
When that starts happening inmy head to just say stop you
know the enemy whispering thelies again and start looking at
the truth about what God saysabout me and what you know, what
(21:30):
the Lord can do through what we, what we, offer to him.
But yeah, as far as like, it'skind of grown over the past four
years.
It started off with artretreats and workshops and now
we're doing open studios everySaturday where people can come
in.
I always tell them they canenjoy the property.
We often try to cook food forpeople so they can come and eat
(21:53):
and hang out.
And now we're doing art fairs.
So we just had one on ourproperty this past year called
the Backyard Boutique Art Fairand it was so great and God
bless us with great weather.
We had a couple dozen artistsout here.
Some of them were just out livepainting in the garden booths
(22:13):
up selling their work.
We had musicians playing.
It was really, really special,and then I've got an art show
coming up in the fall innovember.
That is going to be our thirdyear for this show.
It's called the austin avenueart fair here in waco.
Even though it says AustinAvenue, it's actually in Waco,
started on Austin Avenue, butwe're really excited about it.
(22:36):
I've got a team of people nowGod's blessing with people that
want to get involved, so I'vegot, I think, over 10 people
helping me with differentaspects of the show, which
really makes it a lot easier forme when I've got other people
taking care of the music, thevolunteers, the live art.
I'm mostly managing just thebooth artist and all the
(22:57):
logistics.
Still a lot of work, but it'ssuch a blessing to see the
community, especially Waco Waco,come around this um and we're
starting to get people fromother other towns coming in too,
from dallas and austin andeverywhere in between um coming
out for the austin avenue artfair, so it's exciting it's so
(23:18):
good.
Matt Tommey (23:19):
I mean god moves in us and then he moves through us
, right?
I mean, that's just the patternof the kingdom.
And I just I'd be interested,because I know people are asking
like, is she like this superduper planner that's had like
this master plan all these yearsto have this incredible
influence in teaching and showsand all this kind of stuff?
And if I'm just knowing you thelittle bit that we've gotten to
(23:39):
know each other, you kind ofseem to be the person that, like
God is just God just speaksomething gently to your heart
and you're just crazy enough tosay yes to it and you start
stepping out at it and then Godblesses it.
So what, what does this looklike?
Is all that you're doing, likebeen on a list for 10 years and
you're just executing achecklist, or these just moments
that that God opens up to youand you say, well, okay, I'll
(24:02):
try, I'll be crazy enough to trythat and step out, and God just
opens it up Like what's that?
What's that journey been likefor you?
Wendy Michelle Davis (24:08):
Yeah, it's , it's more of the yeah, just
listening, listening for theLord and what he wants to, what
he wants to do with what I'mdoing.
I never thought I put on artfairs.
I don't even.
It's almost like I don't knowhow it happened, but I can't
(24:29):
hear the story with you.
So I had been applying to getinto a big show here with
Magnolia and it didn't work outbecause I got rejected.
They only take a few artists ayear and at that same time that
I got the rejection email, myhusband and I were sitting at a
restaurant downtown and therewas a venue across the street
with big, beautiful, openwindows and I contacted them and
that's how the art fair started.
(24:49):
Just, the door was swung wideopen.
Often, if you feel like theLord's leading you to something,
if you just kind of stepthrough that door or just kind
of knock on it, if it's from him, often it'll just.
It'll just work out.
Like the first time I put onthe show, it was like everything
was working out so easily, um,so it was like, okay, lord, this
(25:11):
is definitely from you.
Um, but yeah, I, I never hadlike big aspirations of putting
on art fairs.
In fact, um, my nature wouldtend to be the opposite.
I'm a little more introverted.
I have a hard time speaking infront of groups, large settings
where I have to.
Like you know, I had to speakon a microphone at the last fair
(25:33):
, but the Lord gives you thestrength and the ability to do
it when you've got something infront of you that you just feel
like he's showing you that thisis what you're supposed to do.
Matt Tommey (25:46):
When his grace is on it, no matter if you're an
extrovert or introvert, right,it's him doing it.
You're just kind of cooperatingwith that and I'm sure I mean I
always call myself anextroverted introvert because I
can put on the show and do allthe stuff, but I really do rest
and recharge, like in quietspaces and I love that.
So I'm sure in all that you'redoing, I mean, like you said,
(26:07):
you're having to be intentionalabout refueling and refiring
your own heart so that you cannot only be in a good place
personally in your marriage butalso for the other brothers that
you're serving, right.
Wendy Michelle Davis (26:20):
Yeah, no, it has to start with time with
the Lord.
And yeah, like reading throughyour book Unlocking the Heart of
the Artist, when you felt likeGod was calling you into more of
an art career, even before that, like I remember you saying,
like I felt like God was tellingme just to fall on my face and
worship, and so much of it isjust dedicating our lives to Him
(26:44):
and to worshiping Him and to,yeah, taking the time to be
quiet and listen for His voice.
Because if you look at the lifeof Jesus, he was never in a
hurry.
He got away from His disciplesand from all the people that
were just, you know, alwaysaround him and he refreshed with
the Lord.
And when you do that, then it'slike the Lord fills you back up
(27:06):
to be able to go out again.
But yeah, I'm like you, I needthat quiet time.
I need that time to replenishbecause I'm kind of a social
introvert, but being aroundpeople will drain me pretty fast
.
Matt Tommey (27:20):
Oh yeah, I'm the same way, but I love that
scripture and Proverbs.
It's like he who refreshesothers will himself be refreshed
, and it's like if God's calledyou to that, he's going to give
you grace for it as we choose.
You know, even in those momentsthey're like, well, I'm
overwhelmed.
The grace is there, therefreshing is there, and then we
pull away and we get refilled.
I just, I get refilled.
(27:46):
I just, I just love that.
It's a good, a good pattern foranybody's life, not not just
artists.
So well, Wendy, I know peopleare going to want to connect
with you and find out about theretreats that you're doing and
just seeing your work and allthat.
So where's the the best place?
They can find you online, onsocials and all the places.
Wendy Michelle Davis (27:54):
Thank you.
Uh, so my website is WendyMichelle Daviscom and it's
wendymichelledavis on instagramand, I think, art by wendy
michelle davis on facebook.
Um, if you're interested in anyof the art fairs, um, you can
find those on my profile oninstagram, or the austin avenue
(28:14):
art fair isaustinavenueartfaircom.
Um, but yeah, if anyone has anyquestions for me or you're
looking into, you know, startingan art fair, feel free to reach
out.
And, matt, before I leave, Ijust had a couple verses in
Psalm 30.
Can I share that?
I was reading it this morningand I felt like it might be a
(28:35):
great way to wrap up a greatconversation.
I think it really applies to theartist, but I mean anyone, but
I was thinking of it from thatperspective.
So it's Psalm 34, verses 2through 5.
(28:56):
And let us exalt his nametogether.
I sought the Lord and heanswered me and delivered me
from all my fears.
Those who look to him areradiant and their faces shall
never be ashamed Like beinghumble as an artist is really
important and then making ourboast in him, remembering that
every good gift is from the Lordand that includes the art we
(29:19):
create, magnifying him in ourwork, exalting His name together
.
And then we have a lot of fear,you know, in sharing our work
or putting it out there orstepping out in faith.
But when we seek Him, he'sgoing to deliver us from all our
fears.
And when we look at him insteadof looking at the world or
(29:41):
looking at all the other peoplesucceeding, you know, on
Instagram or whatever, if welook to him, our faces will be
radiant and we'll never beashamed.
Matt Tommey (29:48):
So good.
Wendy Michelle Davis (29:48):
Courageous people because it's like
totally spoke to me this morning.
Matt Tommey (29:52):
Absolutely, absolutely.
I love it when the words justjump off the page, so you're
like, pay attention to this.
Well, wendy, you're a gift toso many of the people that you
serve, and to us and to ouraudience.
So thank you for taking time tobe with us today.
Guys, be sure to go to Wendy'swebsite, look her up on social,
follow, buy, join, do all thestuff, and so she can know that.
(30:13):
You heard about her right hereon the podcast, but again, thank
you so much for sharing yourstory and being with us today.
Wendy Michelle Davis (30:20):
Thanks, matt, I really appreciate you
Thanks.
Matt Tommey (30:24):
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
(30:45):
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.
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