Story Behind the Art:

Why I Started From the Heart Art

Welcome to my NEW From the Heart Art Blog, where I'll be sharing weekly inspiration to share, uplift & encourage you on your journey!

From stories behind the art I create to behind-the-scenes looks into the creations process to DIY tutorials and more... I will be posting a new blog post every single Wednesday to share, uplift, & encourage you on your journey! Welcome to the blog & I can't wait to connect with you through this new blog space every single week. If you want to know when new blog posts go live, make sure to join our exclusive email newsletter community! Pssst... as part of my exclusive email subscriber community, you'll also get first looks into sales & specials, too!

As Far Back As I Can Remember...

As far back as I can remember, I’ve been a creative person.  Whether it was at 3 years old drawing on the wall with crayons or in elementary school doodling in my notebook or drawing my grandparents' den while lying on their couch sick with a virus. 

Whether it was Craft Time at Vacation Bible School, an easy bake oven or a craft kit, it always made my heart so very happy to make things.  

I don’t remember a time in my life that I was ever bored.  As long as there was at least paper and pencil nearby, I could be found drawing, doodling or creating something.

My Creativity Has Helped Me In Times Of Need

There have been many times in my life that my creativity has helped me in a time of need.
When I was on bed rest with my second pregnancy, I was given the opportunity to be paid for being creative.  Thanks to the help of my mother and sister setting up a workstation around the couch, I was able to paint papers and wire beads for a group of women who owned a handmade Jewelry Business called SLK Designs.  

This opportunity helped me pass the time of that 3 month long bedrest, provided some extra income and I loved doing it!  It also opened the door to more opportunities.

I soon began receiving requests to paint things for other people and they even paid me!

What began as a frightening experience of high risk pregnancy ended as such a sweet time in my life.  Not only did I have a beautiful newborn baby girl, my faith had been tested and stretched to new levels and my eyes had been opened to a way of using my creativity to help my little family.  

In the mid 90s it was time for my youngest daughter to start kindergarten, and I had a new need.  I really wanted to send both of our girls to a small private Christian school, but needed additional funds to cover the tuition payments.  

I began praying and asking the Lord if I could use my creativity to earn enough money to send them both to a private Christian school. Up to that point I had earned some money from my arts and crafts projects but I had no idea if I could earn enough on a regular basis to pay for tuition. 

A Step of Faith...

It was a step of faith, but we signed them both up and signed up for our first craft show.  I was thrilled, I made enough for tuition!  Month after month the money showed up.  Sometimes it was at the very nick of time, but it always worked out.  I can still remember the awe I felt when someone picked up one of my painted pieces to purchase for their home! 

It was happening, God was using my painted clay pots, mailboxes and wood pieces to cover their tuition!   And the blank pots and wooden pieces also covered our front porch, every spare space in our home had something to be painted or was just painted. 

My husband and both of my daughters were helping me fill the orders.  They both grew up with this business, they are both grown now, but I believe the many years they spent helping me tend to this business made them stronger women, dependable & capable and very hard workers.

By the late 90s I had a new need.  I was in the middle of several back to back trials.  I was struggling.  I began attending a weekly Bible study at night and taking a course called Victorious Chrisitan Living at night and during the day.  It was a life changing experience for me! 

A Deep Desire to Surround Myself with Bible Verses as Reminders of Truth

It created a deep desire to memorize and surround myself with Bible Verses to renew my mind to the Truth. I was in a big spiritual battle, so I was writing verses over and over on index cards.  I had them everywhere to remind my heart and mind of the Truth. 

I wanted to fill my home with reminders of Bible verses.  We had a local Christian bookstore, but at that time I couldn’t afford the beautiful pieces of artwork with scripture that they offered. 

I decided to experiment by adding verses to the art pieces I was creating. I painted a fruit design for my pots and added the fruit of the Spirit on the pieces of the fruit. Galatians 5:22 led to two things happening, people loved the new pieces with scripture and   I was being transformed.   Me writing the verse over and over and over again on all the pots I was painting was actually helping me memorize the verses!  I love those clay pots!  God used them as a tool to plant seeds of Truth deep in my heart.

There were many more trials and tough seasons ahead, but the Holy Spirit would bring those Words of Truth that had been written on my heart back to my remembrance to help me stand in each storm. 

Ever since that time, I have a really hard time not including scripture or some type of words of encouragement on my artwork.  I do occasionally let some slip by without it, but I do feel kinda like I’m sending my child out naked! 

More Than Just A Hobby...

Another thing happened right after I started adding scripture to my painted pieces, my sales picked up and I realized I had more than a hobby.  So in November of 1998, I took a deep breath and made it official;  I applied for my business license. 

I would like to say that I never looked back, but I have.  Many times I’ve been discouraged, tired, afraid, in over my head, burned out, or overwhelmed, or all of the above, and then begin thinking that I can not do this anymore.

Remembering My "Why" When Times Get Tough

But as soon as I remember my “why” and then ask God if that “why” still belongs to me, I know that I can’t NOT do it anymore. 

I create art that includes Truth filled Words of hope and encouragement, to point people to Jesus and remind them they are loved by a good and faithful Father.  As long as God entrusts this Why to me, I will keep drawing and painting reminders from His Word.

Sincerely,
Pam Coxwell | From the Heart Art