We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sharon Collins. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sharon below.

Alright, Sharon thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I never had any interest in being an author or artist, but in the Fall of 2017 a series of events began to fall into place. God, oddly enough, used some people to “should” me – not something that normally respond to well! A good friend after seeing me doodle on a cocktail napkin, told me I should take art lessons. As a result, I started taking a painting class and immediately fell in love with the creative process. I wanted to honor God in some way, so I decided to have a Bible verse for each painting. But God was not done yet. Another friend told me I should write devotionals after reading an email from me. My response was firm no way! In spite of that, in March of 2018, I felt a very strong call from God to start a website and write devotionals to accompany my paintings. I had 5 months of painting experience, zero experience in writing devotionals, and I knew nothing about building a website. But God provided people to guide me and 6 weeks later I launched my website (www.becominghismasterpiece.com).

By the way, I was 67 years old, retired from a career in the corporate world and I was busy enjoying my grandchildren! The next “should” came from my husband – “you should do a book.” I categorically said “no,” but my husband was persistent. I finally told him I would look into it when I had 52 devotional/art pairings completed. I did not want to self publish and finding a publisher seemed highly unlikely given my demograhic and lack of a huge social media presence. Miraculously, God provided a publisher. I signed my contract with them on my 69th birthday!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am an abstract artist. I don’t like to be constrained by reality! I use acrylic and just about anything that has texture and interesting shapes. I use papers of all kinds, bubble wrap, scraps of lumber and even rusted out garden borders. Once I used an old drawer. I set it up on the front panel and then created a painting on the inside of the drawer and then created another one on the outside of the drawer. All of my paintings have a Christian theme because each one accompanies one of my devotionals.

I have been fortunate to have clients commission me to create a painting. I always ask them to identify a Scripture that they want the painting to communicate. I usually send them photos as the painting develops. Sometimes it is hard to curb my normal “let’s see what happens” approach to painting. But it is very satisfying to create something that is pleasing to the client. I also have created some paintings for my church to accompany sermon series.

As a Christian author and artist, I have a partner in the creative process – God. I learned early on that I could not create a painting or write a devotional with out listening for His guidance and wisdom. Being a very slow-learner in such things, I have created a hot mess many times when I don’t listen for his guidance. Fortunately, God is very patient with me and will guide me out of my messes into something that communicates His truths. The reality is that God is the author and artist of all my work, He just uses my hand to hold the brush and tap the keyboard.

My work is unique in the marketplace. There are many devotional books that pair devotionals with graphics, photos, and traditional art. So far, the “Becoming His Masterpiece” series is unique in pairing the devotionals with abstract art.

The “Becoming His Masterpiece” title was a gift from God that he placed in my head. Amazingly, the title was available for both my website and the books. I love the title because it is so descriptive of all of us who are disciples of Jesus Christ. We are all works in progress – still learning, growing, and inching forward to be what He designed us uniquely to be. I feel like God called me to this work to be an encourager to others. Regardless of anyone’s age or stage in live, God has work for us to do. Our job is to listen for his call and say yes. God is faithful to equip those who He calls. It’s true! It happened to me!

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My mission is to be faithful to God’s call on my life. I view my work as a ministry rather than a business. My goal is to inspire others in their journey as disciples of Jesus Christ using the unique combination of devotionals and abstract art. I love to speak to women’s groups to share my story and the many lessons that God is teaching me.

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

I work in lots of layers when I paint. I love it when all of a sudden something emerges from what looks like a big mess. All of sudden it clarifies what the next few steps in the painting should be. I have found that when I look down and see a big mess, I need to ask for God to guide me. That is when something emerges and gives me insight on next steps. I need to pause and stop trying to solve the problem on my own. That truth applies not only to my painting but to all aspects of my life. He is ready to help me, I just have to ask!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.becominghismasterpiece.com
• Instagram: @sharoncollins923
• Facebook: Sharon Collins’ Becoming His Masterpiece
• Linkedin: Sharon Collins