We were lucky to catch up with Rebecca DeVore recently and have shared our conversation below.

Rebecca, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

In highschool I was offered a scholarship to Columbus College of Art and Design. I turned it down. I knew I could only create when I “was in the mood”. Knowing one must create regularly in a professional art career I wanted someone who was ready to do that to get the scholarship.

I married and we homeschooled our son. Through those years I taught art to homeschool children and my son. I have continued to use my talent, just not for a career.

Fast forward to 2020 when we had moved to southern California. Our son was grown and married. We had been empty nesters for awhile at that point. My husband made enough money that I didn’t need to work. Every morning I would take a bike ride along the beach. I often sat at the lighthouse to pray at the half point on my bike ride.

One day as I sat praying at the lighthouse I heard God say “I want you to start an art business.” I was not super excited about that idea and told God I wasn’t looking for a job. LOL He said “It is about Legacy.” I was immediately interested! Then God said “Its no wonder Walt Disney came from this area.” I was stunned to hear that, realizing he meant this was going to be something big!

Within two days I stumbled upon a Christian Art Business mentor named Matt Tommey. I signed up and mentored with him for a year. Then moved on to attend Milan Art Institute where I learned to oil paint. This is when I discovered I was created for oil painting! After finishing Milan I knew I wanted to paint realism and portraits and needed more skills. Evolve Artist Training somehow showed up in my feed and I enrolled in their school to finish my education. I have less than a year to go now and am looking for that next step.

I know God will guide me because each step had been dropped in front of me once I said yes to his plan. I really didn’t know I wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally, but I did know I want to do what God wants me to do. Knowing my destiny is about legacy really gets me excited! I still don’t really know what that looks like, but it is has been a fun adventure every step of the way!

Rebecca, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have been a Christian since I was 11. I am now 59. My relationship with God is very important to me and it has always affected the choices and decisions I make.
As I said in the last question when God asked me to start an art business I was painting with watercolors.

My art mentor had a conference where you sat in studio for three days with a professional artist that does the type of work you do to learn from them. I was currently doing watercolors and signed up for that class.
When I arrived I found I was in the oil painting class! I called his admin in a panic and she said “I am sorry we can’t switch people at this late date.” (I had heard God asking me to try oil painting and always brushed it off. Its to expensive, Its too complicated, I don’t know how to do it) So God has a funny way of getting me where he wants me, even if I miss it!

My first oil painting is one of my favorites! I have had many people ask to buy it and I just can’t let it go! It is of a little boy standing on the nose of a whale. The nose of the whale is peaking out of the water like a small island. The meaning behind it is sometimes when you are standing in faith you feel like you have so little to stand on, but there is so much more beneath you! This has been the theme/story of my journey into this art business!

Being a lover of childrens books and stories like Winnie the Pooh my branding is Innocent branding. I want people to feel nostalgic, or peaceful or even giggle when they see my work. My work will never have a dark theme.
I continue to grow in my skill level and would someday like to see my work in a museum.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Along with doing what I feel like God asked me to do, every painting I sell I donate 10% of the price to International Justice Mission. They work to get people out of the sex slave trade and other forms of slavery. This is a worthy ministry, mission and legacy.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I love learning and there are unlimited opportunities to learn in painting! The more you know the more decisions you can make about a piece. It is like a puzzle. You don’t just sit and paint. You think through the moves you will make and how you will accomplish the look you desire. Every painting comes with its own puzzle to solve. When it all comes together it is very satisfying. I also love to hear what people see when they look at my work. Many times people see things I never thought of.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.devoreart.com
• Instagram: @devore_art
• Facebook: DeVoreart
• Youtube: Becki DeVore

Image Credits

N/A I have taken all the photos