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It’s been just over five months since the vision and purpose for the uniquely fashioned art endeavor was made clear as to the people and purpose it would serve. This past week, I completed another piece, learned several lessons, and see more clear next steps to scale what God has been doing here. Oh! And I am giddy about the artists’ retreat I am attending next week… When the piece I am being asked to create holds great significance, my heart grows heavy, then light, then full. I seem to always be faced with my perceived inadequacies when creating a piece, but especially when the piece is for a major birthday following the loss of someone very important. I don’t want to get it wrong.
I learned an important lesson with last week’s piece – update the apps I use! I nearly missed the timeframe to create in time for the birthday delivery, because I didn’t receive the request when it came through. Lessons learned: one, ensure all apps are up to date and two, create one streamlined method for connecting with future clients. I also learned the importance of communicating estimated cost for commissioned works up front and even when not asked. Which leads to a fourth lesson learned, according to 1 Timothy 5:18, “a worker is worthy of their wages” – the time invested in each piece merits compensation. Transitioning from a corporate world where my wage was set for me, into an entrepreneurial role where I am trusting God to help me define the wage this artistic talent is worth, has been a whole new world – one where the Lord is allowing me to learn lessons and implement solutions now, before He scales to greater proportions…thank You Lord!
Resting with Him is exactly what I sense is going to take place next week when I travel to North Carolina. I am Holy Ghost giddy at the thought of connecting in person with so many who have been encouragers, edifiers, supporters and willing to respond to a question, comment, message or prayer request – just like that. I am looking forward to what will likely be a little awkward conversation at first and ending with hugs and tears and family in the end. I am looking forward to even more clarity from the Lord as He speaks through other creatives and prophetics, making His will, hope and glory known. I am looking forward to stowing away with Him for a few days and returning with a new Spirit birthed fervor and fire to continue to share His heart with those He loves deeply, through words and art. Blessings!
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Hello Friends! I completely missed last week’s blog post, but not because the creative flow has finally ceased. Last week was an amazingly intense God week and I simply didn’t have the grace to sit down and provide an update. Amongst the variety of ways God moved last week I was able to work on a piece for two upcoming birthdays, begin bringing a dream to life, and gained clarity on continued steps towards becoming a full-time artist.
With one satisfied Momma, I prayed for another. This mother requested a piece for her son’s dream to come to life. He had a very vivid dream one night regarding a Bible design – and even sketched it out. Details shared, formulated in my mind. My experience as a product development designer assisted in allowing me to create very precise features of the elements described. The first iteration was not "dead on", and I am continuing to refine towards the final piece, but the initial response from the gentleman with the dream? “Wow. That is amazing!!!” He provided direction on how specific elements needed to be modified to align with his dream and I am excited for the next chunk of time to meet with the Lord, then incorporate. I would LOVE to see this Bible to become reality for him! Speaking of dreams becoming a reality, the Lord continues to provide EUREKA moments and clarity on the steps to take to transition into being a full-time artist that will support my family and the Rise Up ministry. In December, I really didn’t know the timing. All I had was a moment I had shared with my Husband just before Christmas. I was communicating to him what I sensed God revealing, literally sketching out a divine schematic for how I sensed the Lord intended the uniquely fashioned art to support the ministry He’s raised in my life. I was like a “mad scientist”, feverishly scratching arrows and circles filled with words to depicting the seed of a plan. It all seemed to make sense. This would appeal to his senses and logical mind. He would TOTALLY get it and be on board. When I looked up to make eye contact with him expecting to share the same buy-in… C-R-I-C-K-E-T-S. To help him finally make the leap, I added “and when I said to the Lord I can see this being a three year strat-plan, aligned with the timing of Kendra (our youngest babe) graduating, Holy Spirit near-instantly replied “Why not a year?”” “Uh… Ok.” He didn’t make the leap and I felt like I had fallen from the cloud I was frolicking around on.
“Do you remember when we stood in the kitchen and I was sharing what I sensed God wanted to do? Do you remember how I shared I thought it was a good three year strategic exit plan and God right away asked “why not a year?”
Like a light bulb went off he replied, “Yeah, I do.” He actually gave a head nod to reinforce the significance of his awareness. “I said that. Now here we are and it will be just around one year, not three”, I could tell God was communicating more than I was saying, and it was registering with my hubby. “Yeah, you did”. Is this really happening? Alright, Holy Spirit, I trust you with our lives and Your plans… I thought I was ready. Now I’m not so sure. My sense seven weeks ago is becoming a reality. And I am grateful for continued, gentle, leading and guiding. I recently had the joy of delivering a piece, created another and now getting very serious about God’s strategy to move forward professionally as an artist. I delivered the piece to “Islands in the Stream”. It was a nice, cozy, in-person conversation with my client, whom I had only conversed with via messenger and text. Our digital interaction did not hinder my desire to want to give her a big old hug (thank God she was receptive and there were no awkward upper arms strokes). I pray the piece and special components accompanying the uniquely fashioned work of art blesses her husband on his birthday, in ways beyond my imagination. I know I already feel blessed. His wife is moving in similar ways the Lord has been leading me and I sense our friendship has only just begun. Speaking of new beginnings, I was led to create another piece following a vision I had a couple weeks ago. I was down and out sick for several days. So sick, I was unable to minister on Monday and Wednesday nights in the community groups I facilitate. But in being “down and out”, I continued to press into the Lord. There, He shared a very promising vision with me:
This vision and Scripture were simply seeds to a much larger message. I am currently resting with it and have others joining me in prayer on when and how to share. Interestingly, my Pastor has asked me to discuss with him. Unbeknownst to me, the message in its entirety aligned with the teaching he is being led to share with our congregation this month. Woah. God sharing prophetic art with an entire church body, rather than one individual? This, again, is new territory and I do not take it lightly. Lord, all for Your glory and purposes. Nearly seven weeks ago I shared, “I believe the Lord is setting up the freedom to become an artist full-time, as He gently leads and guides me out of my current career”. This is no longer a belief, but a fact. Can I tell you? I am utterly and entirely grateful for Holy Spirit speaking into my life and preparing me for what will be shaping up. But I’m also a bit sweaty in the palms knowing this is becoming a reality. “I can’t mess this up!” This is the thought that comes to mind. The familiar phrase has come to mind with each of the nineteen pieces created in the past four months. Then Holy Spirit reminds me of the portfolio of God’s promise and provision, and I grow giddy again for what lies ahead.  As I think of the horizon, I find it intriguing how I have recently been drawn to images with high sides and seemingly apparent constraints. I’ve always preferred wide open spaces. What captivates my heart is what appears to be a glow unbound by limitations – a promise – reward even, for walking the narrow way. Of course, Scripture comes to mind: small is the gate and narrow is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:14
“Leads to life…” leads me to think of freedom – where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom, see 2 Corinthians 3:17. And where the Spirit is, there is LIFE – a mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, check out Romans 8:6. I love the freedom of living according to the leading of Holy Spirit coupled with the Word of God. I also love the comfort He provides within the boundaries of obedience to His voice and text. As the landscape changes, I sense a promotion to live all the more in the depths of His love, obedience to His written and spoken instructions and an audacious faith. This life of creativity in Christ is certainly a one of a kind adventure. Who knows all the places He will have us go when completely surrendered and abandoned to Him? Blessings! If there has been a “slower” week since this ride began in early September of 2019, this past week was it. The opening reception at Artlink in Fort Wayne went well, pieces arrived, and another piece began to formulate in my mind. After working an eight hour day, I enthusiastically left work eager to see how the evening would play out. My daughters were meeting me to make the drive to the gallery and my husband was coming over right from work. Was this really happening? When we arrived, the gallery doors were not open and the parking lot was full.
After about a half-hour, our teenagers were ready to go. I wasn’t. I wanted to stay and talk with people. I wanted to see who might stop in for support. The texts had already been coming in of friends who couldn’t make it. I had the pleasure of meeting with one juror of the exhibition, Sayaka Ganz. “I really enjoyed your pieces. How long have you been creating art? I hope to see more of your work in the future.” Thank you, Sayaka, thank you so much. After expressing my gratitude for her encouragement and giving her a goodbye upper arm rub (awkward I know) I continued to enjoy the other pieces. Most were abstract, many were landscape, and some were peculiar. Scarlet She Rose were the only two pieces, besides one other, which incorporated portraits. As I stood in the vicinity of the pieces, looking for those who might have made it out to see the installation, I gal walked up to me. “Do you have work here?” I had seen her in the restroom earlier. She was very artistic looking, we smiled and I was on my way. Bathroom chit chat has always been a bit difficult for me. I shared the pieces on display, she shared she too had pieces in the exhibit. She stood amazed at the piece, as I had her works of art, and then she asked, “Who are these women?” As I began to share their stories I shared on the special episode of the Shanon Roberts podcast, Behind the Piece: Scarlet She Rose, she took a deep breath and even appeared misty-eyed.
I have the pleasure of delivering prints this weekend and I am excited to place another work in the hands of a client I connected with before Christmas, early next week. Remember “Islands in the Stream”? His birthday is February 1st and I pray the piece blesses him richly. Finally, another piece involving grapes, olives and wheat has been dancing around in my mind as of late – my spirit senses it is a piece with a rich message – one where many will be blessed.
Thank you for having a read! I pray health and wholeness over your life, and a stirring of your own unique creative passions to be shared with your world. Blessings! Join artist, Shanon Roberts, on her journey to creating Scarlet She Rose. This work of art is currently being exhibited with Artlink, a contemporary art gallery in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Shanon, a residnet of Columbia City Indiana, shares the inspiration behind the piece showcasing women who have chosen, choose daily and will continue to choose to RISE - all over the world.  This work is composed of royalty free imagery and a photograph Shanon took herself while on a medical mission trip to Guatemala. Each photograph has been creatively altered to reflect the message of redemption and the promise of being made white as snow through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. To learn more about the passion behind the piece, please select any link below to listen to the podcast episode. Feel free to skip to 12:55 to get straight to the inspiration. Blessings!  It is Thursday, kind of feels like Friday and it has been somewhat of an amazing whirlwind since Monday. Getting back into a groove is going well. This past week I had the joy of interviewing with my art mentor, marveled at God in the ministry, completed a commission and accepted another, and look forward to my first opening reception in an actual art gallery THIS evening. Last Friday I had the joy of doing a LIVE interview with my mentor, Matt Tommey (you can listen to our time together HERE). It was our first time interacting “face to face”, although the information he
Why wouldn’t my heart be happy?! Connecting others to the heart, Word and Spirit of God is what excites me every morning! Connection and unity was the theme Monday at noon as I met with our Mayor, CEO of one of our regional hospitals, and advocate for leading by faith, to connect with leaders in our community to unite around prayer and community development. From there I prepared to meet with our Monday night Bible study group and minister with gals from past Rise Up Commitments, and saw God move uniquely in each of their lives. Rolling into Tuesday, I was grateful to minister with my daughters, separately, and then meet with a gal who recently embarked on her commitment journey. Wednesday, the Rise Up 2020 class met and trusted God to bring healing. Go Jesus GO! While in the flow of the ministry of Holy Spirit, a uniquely fashioned work of art made its final formulation in my mind and I was able to capture. An Instagram friend reached out to me regarding a dream she had. A dream she wanted to capture & frame. Like each piece uniquely created for each
art gallery exhibition. As I thought more about it, the thought began to creep in, “It’s really not THAT big of a deal. You always make a big deal about small things.” Do you ever have thoughts like that? As the morning moved on, I turned that thought on its head, with the Word of God… Rejoice in the Lord always! Be thankful in all circumstances! If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. I am rejoicing over the opportunity to connect with others interested in art. I am thankful the Lord has orchestrated a way to creatively communicate His redemptive message to folks who may otherwise be closed off. I look to Him to help me be faithful with this opportunity He is setting before me. Thank you for catching up, today. I pray blessing over your life and look forward to connecting with you again!
I need to learn new verbiage to communicate how I continue to be “blown away” by God on this creative journey. Speechless? No accurate way to express my surprise? At the risk of sounding redundant, all is true. I know I didn’t post last week, which was intentional, but there continues to be movement. The past couple of weeks I dropped off works of art for the upcoming exhibition, was led to create a piece for the beginning of the year, and accepted the invite to be interviewed live with my mentor. Insert mind blown emoji.
through creative works. My Hubby and daughter accompanied me during the delivery. My heart was happy. The opening reception for the exhibit is ONE WEEK FROM TODAY. If you are in the Fort Wayne area and your schedule is open the evening of Thursday, January 16th, I would love to catch up with you at Artlink! The reception is FREE and open from 5-8pm; the exhibition will be on view through February 16, 2020. Flowing from delivery of those works of art into 2019, I woke several times in the early morning hours from dreams to thoughts of being made new, God doing a new thing, and wrestling with this discontentment of the earthly body and desiring the “new” body. Thoughts turned to imagery. Imagery turned to a promise I sensed being communicated: Physical bodies being transformed in 2020. Individual bodies and collective bodies (ministries, churches, etc.) will become stronger, healthier, leaner and more whole. This piece is also a reminder, mess and colorful chaos may ensue
The exhibition I am honored to be a part of and the limited edition prints created, along with the fourteen works of art that have been created and shared with others in the past three and a half months, are all results of taking the step to respond to Matt Tommey’s Artists Rise Up series and then committing to join his Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring program.
As always, THANK YOU for connecting with me on this journey. As an encourager in the Body of Christ, I cannot help but do so here as well. If you have ever had a passion or gift you knew was a talent from God, consider stowing away with the Lord over the course of the next several days and ask if there is something more He would like to do with those passions and gifts. You might be surprised at His response and where He leads you from that space. If anything else, simply allowing time to rest and connect with Him will no doubt leave you energetic, revitalized and ready to press in to where the Lord has you, today.
Blessings! Merry Christmas! I pray you and your families thoroughly enjoyed the day yesterday celebrating the life of our Savior! This past week continued to be a blessing on the art journey. I created a piece for a loved one’s birthday coming up in February, received notification two pieces from the Scarlet She Rose series were selected, and received a video of a client’s sister opening her piece for Christmas. As I listened to my potential new client describe her husband, an image of a sailboat popped into my mind. “Does a sailboat resonate at all?” When she shared there was no significance I simply made note and continued to listen. As the week went on I had a song come to mind every time I intentionally contemplated her husband’s piece. “Is there any relevance to the song “Islands in the Stream” by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers?” Her response, “Not that I can think of”, shook my confidence to hear from God a bit – and I wondered if it had hers as well. Lord, what is the heart of this imagery and song coming to mind?
I was the one doing the crying this past Saturday. Remember when I shared I believed I needed to move forward with creating the She Rose series for the Artlink 2020 Regional Exhibition? I also shared along the way the pieces had been created and submitted. Artlink, a contemporary art gallery, selected two of the pieces! I was elated and overwhelmed with emotion. First, by the faithfulness of God – AGAIN – to lead and guide and then bring to pass His vision. Second, by the fact jurors holding Masters of Fine Arts degrees deemed the works acceptable for the exhibition. Third, by God’s perfect timing – and His positioning to engage with souls in the “art world” who may be ready to meet, or grow deeper with, Jesus. God, You are GOOD!
What a gift from God to be able to operate in our spiritual gifts – trusting the leading and counsel of Holy Spirit – to give to others in a deep, personal and meaningful way. I would be honored to connect with you as well. If you are interested in a Uniquely Fashioned work of art for you or a loved one please send an email by CLICKING HERE. Or, if you would like to join the online community where I will share more “behind the scenes”, feel free to connect to the Shanon Roberts – Art group, HERE. Blessings!
This week marked THREE MONTHS of being on this adventure in art with the Lord! The last three months have been fulfilling and challenging at the same time, both yielded clarity of vision on where God intends to go with this budding vocation. In the past week, I also personally delivered a commissioned piece of art, accepted a new client, and created an official space for others to engage in this new endeavor. All the pieces were in hand and ready to go. I text my client and let him know I was ready to deliver his wife’s uniquely fashioned work of art; he was planning to give it to her for Christmas. Then the message came on Friday, “Do you want to give it to her in person? She’ll be home for lunch soon.” Initially, my thought was not to take anything away from his moment. After all, this was a gift from him. He truly wanted to do something very special for the woman he loves so much. As I thought and he shared more, we determined I would stop by on both her and I’s lunch hour. Now I was beginning to grow giddy and antsy. This gal is not just my client’s wife, she is also a sweet and dear friend. We have been through challenges together. We have wept and prayed together. I love her very much. I also wanted the piece to be perfectly delivered from the heart of God.
hugged and were back to work. I left praising and thanking God for the opportunity to allow His love to be poured out upon not only my friend and Sister in Christ, but her husband, children and home as well. Upon returning home, another opportunity from the Lord arose and I was blessed to set up an appointment to chat with a potential new client. A wife looking to bless her husband on his 50th birthday messaged me after viewing my recent video testimonial for a previously created piece of art. I went to prayer that afternoon, trusting God to share His heart before our conversation. As we chatted this past Monday, I could sense her love and passion for her husband. I whispered, “Lord, please guide me in creating this very special piece for not only her husband, but for the both of them and their home”. Imagery and a song even, have been coming to mind when seeking God’s heart for this piece. As with all the pieces, I am excited to sit down and bring an initial concept to life. I am also excited because what God shared with me regarding this new endeavor is in fact shaping up. On September 26th, after asking God how this surprise vocation fit with what He had been doing for years, I sensed He spoke three very specific elements. One, the art created would encourage the body of Christ, sisters and brothers, through the very unique art and accompanying message. Two, the creations would make their way into the lives of those in the business world – senior leadership seemingly too busy to allow time to connect with the Lord; this art would be their connection and touch point, which would draw them to Jesus more and more with each glance. Three, He will create through me pieces of art that will make their way into hospitals and hotels, where imagery will stir hope, health, healing, conviction and a desire to turn from hindrances stifling intimacy with God, and draw in the lost.  Since those moments where I sensed Him sharing His will and heart with me, this vision has been forming – with no assistance from me – it has all been God! Brothers and sisters in Christ have in fact been encouraged through the works I have been led to create and share. One commissioned piece will be going to a former President of a global company; another will be going to the Vice President of another business. Two weeks after the Lord shared this vision with me, I was connected with the CEO of a regional hospital in my area – he is passionate for Jesus and prayer; time will tell how God moves in this new relationship. Six weeks after He cast His vision, the mentor I was connected with in August (and when this adventure with the Lord began!) “randomly” shared insight on steps to take to license one’s art for installation in hotels. TRUE STORIES!!
But Shanon, are you going to be creating art instead of ministering through the Rise Up Commitment and writing ministry? Will you eventually cease the former ministry and replace with this new one? In the immediate or long term future, I do not sense the art ministry will replace the Rise Up ministry. In fact, I believe the Lord is setting up the freedom to become an artist full-time, as He gently leads and guides me out of my current career. What is established through this direction will actually support the Rise Up ministry more effectively, and allow me to be more available to the women He continues to connect me with. If you’re like my husband, you may be curious on the timing. When will all this take place? In the Lord’s timing!! I trust Him, His will, His ways, His vision and His reasoning. I also trust Him to continue to provide and multiply the resources of time, energy, strength and endurance to thrive through this season of shifting and transitioning while I continue in my career full-time. He is an AHMAZING GOD who loves and looks after His beloveds in AHMAZING ways! Thank you for joining me on this leg of the journey for the past three months. Thank you also for your prayers, they are and will continue to be coveted and appreciated! As He continues to move forward, I am excited for what 2020 has in store. If you are intrigued or perhaps even interested in your own uniquely fashioned piece, please send me an email by clicking HERE. Also, I have created the FB group where more in-depth stories will be shared for the pieces created, upcoming events, and non-commissioned pieces will be revealed (and group members will have the first opportunity to inquire for purchase). To join the Shanon Roberts Artist group, please click all these lovely words :) Blessings!
Who is excited?! We are only two weeks away from Christmas and the beginning of a New Year! I know I am. I am also thrilled about how the Lord continues to move. This past week I had the pleasure of attending an opening reception at Artlink, hearing from a gal who had received her gifted piece of art, and received works soon to be in the hands of those who requested them.
As I consider the She Rose series, my prayer is the works will provoke the conversation regarding women who choose to RISE through redemption across all cultures, generations and nationalities. Not to conform to a cookie cutter religion, but to live freely in the purity of God’s love for them for the sake of those around them. This piece reminds me of generations, who fervently rose up every day and pressed in for their children, their children’s children and beyond, with joy, honor and confidence their God would answer their ceaseless prayers. I also pray it will compel others to consider their loved ones gone before them, or their role today, and be encouraged to continue on, or even minister some degree of healing where hearts are tender and in need of comfort.
Speaking of ministering, my goodness I love how the Lord ministers to others through the works He has led me to create! Last week I received a text message from a gal who had just received her work of art as a birthday gift. I actually shared the flow of this piece on my personal social media page. You are invited to watch the video below. Feel free to leave me a comment and let me know if you would like to be a part of the soon to be established group. I would love to have you!
You know how I have expressed I get a little antsy when waiting for recipients to receive their uniquely fashioned work of art? Yeah. I am there right now – but oh so eager! Three pieces created as gifts for Christmas and birthdays have been delivered to my door step. But, I have to wait a couple weeks to hear their stories. Please pray my heart doesn’t jump right out of my chest due to the anticipation of how God is about to bless these lovely souls. And hey, if you are interested in a piece for your home or office, or as a gift for a loved one, please connect with me. I am now accepting commissions for 2020 and already have a couple other works in queue.
As always, thank you for stopping by. If led, feel free to share this post with others you believe may be interested or folks who simply love art and/or creativity. Momentum is building and I would love for others to have the opportunity to be a part of the canvas that is being “painted” before us.
Blessings! |
ArtistSix years after laying down the dream of being a full-time artist, God is handing it back. Spirit shined and polished, the artistic gift will be a conduit to creating a variety of works intended to usher in God's glory-presence in any atmosphere, encourage through personalized works, and provide peace in the market place. 
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