creative highlight
MEMBER from our community
Rebekah Tribhuvan
Hi, I’m Rebekah Tribhuvan from Mumbai, India. God enabled me to start my dream business Grace Arts in February 2020. Grace Arts is a stationery & lifestyle products brand where every item is designed and hand-painted by me!
I never thought I had the potential to start a business on my own but as the Word of God says in Ephesians 3:20, “Who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us”. God worked beyond my imagination and not only helped me start my business online but gives me grace daily, to manage my business alongside a full-time job and Masters course work. Some of the products I create at Grace Arts are bookmarks, notebooks and diaries, caps, hand painted, customized wooden slices & fridge magnets, table calendars, note cards and many more to come!
Instagram: @grace_arts__
Website: https://gracearts.co/
I never thought I had the potential to start a business on my own but as the Word of God says in Ephesians 3:20, “Who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us”. God worked beyond my imagination and not only helped me start my business online but gives me grace daily, to manage my business alongside a full-time job and Masters course work. Some of the products I create at Grace Arts are bookmarks, notebooks and diaries, caps, hand painted, customized wooden slices & fridge magnets, table calendars, note cards and many more to come!
Instagram: @grace_arts__
Website: https://gracearts.co/
Can you tell us about your introduction to art? How did you know you had a creative gift?
I’ve enjoyed painting right from my childhood. Back in school, my art teacher would display my work, but I never took my art seriously. I just thought of it as a hobby. As a pastor’s daughter though, I had always heard about using my gifts and talents for God. So during my undergraduate course, I considered starting an art business and here’s what the Lord laid on my heart:
Here in India, we don’t get Christian gift items easily. I dreamt of starting an online gift store with products that didn’t just target Christians, but brought hope and joy to those from other faiths too. This way I could share the love of Christ, reach the unreached, through my work!
I prayed about it, and the name ‘Grace Arts’ flashed before my eyes. I waited on the Lord further, and in time I started Bible lettering and painting. I noticed people online sharing my work! That’s when I was encouraged to learn more.
Did you ever think you’d be selling your art, or teaching art?
I always dreamt of owning an art business, but I thought I would be in my thirties by the time I’d have enough money to invest in its launch. I never thought I had the potential to start a business on my own, in my twenties! However, God’s ways are far higher than ours. I shared my dream with my education counselor right after my graduation, who pushed me to pray and take a step of faith. I was skeptical, but as the Word of God says we ‘Walk by faith’.
I took a leap of faith and launched Grace Arts in February 2020. I got my first order of 60 greeting cards for a church in Mumbai, I never imagined this would happen! I started an Instagram page ‘Grace Arts’ and got an amazing response. In the last year, I’ve launched several products - notebooks, bookmarks, caps, note cards - and many more, all of which are doing well today. A few months back, God even enabled me to launch a website for my business. That’s when I learnt that He makes all things beautiful in his time!
What are some of the biggest challenges you have in explaining what you do to others who don't find themselves in a creative background or field? Like family/friends/strangers?
In India, the most appreciated areas of work are in the sciences: engineers and doctors. The arts are always seen as great hobbies, but not reliable sources of income. I always found it very difficult to explain my dreams and passion to others. Whenever I would paint, I was made fun of. I would often get discouraged, but I know my purpose and God has always been my strength.
As 2 Corinthians 9:8 says, “God is more than ready to overwhelm you with every form of grace, so that you will have more than enough of everything, every moment and in every way. He will make you overflow with abundance in every good thing you do.” And God’s grace has always been sufficient for me!
I’ve enjoyed painting right from my childhood. Back in school, my art teacher would display my work, but I never took my art seriously. I just thought of it as a hobby. As a pastor’s daughter though, I had always heard about using my gifts and talents for God. So during my undergraduate course, I considered starting an art business and here’s what the Lord laid on my heart:
Here in India, we don’t get Christian gift items easily. I dreamt of starting an online gift store with products that didn’t just target Christians, but brought hope and joy to those from other faiths too. This way I could share the love of Christ, reach the unreached, through my work!
I prayed about it, and the name ‘Grace Arts’ flashed before my eyes. I waited on the Lord further, and in time I started Bible lettering and painting. I noticed people online sharing my work! That’s when I was encouraged to learn more.
Did you ever think you’d be selling your art, or teaching art?
I always dreamt of owning an art business, but I thought I would be in my thirties by the time I’d have enough money to invest in its launch. I never thought I had the potential to start a business on my own, in my twenties! However, God’s ways are far higher than ours. I shared my dream with my education counselor right after my graduation, who pushed me to pray and take a step of faith. I was skeptical, but as the Word of God says we ‘Walk by faith’.
I took a leap of faith and launched Grace Arts in February 2020. I got my first order of 60 greeting cards for a church in Mumbai, I never imagined this would happen! I started an Instagram page ‘Grace Arts’ and got an amazing response. In the last year, I’ve launched several products - notebooks, bookmarks, caps, note cards - and many more, all of which are doing well today. A few months back, God even enabled me to launch a website for my business. That’s when I learnt that He makes all things beautiful in his time!
What are some of the biggest challenges you have in explaining what you do to others who don't find themselves in a creative background or field? Like family/friends/strangers?
In India, the most appreciated areas of work are in the sciences: engineers and doctors. The arts are always seen as great hobbies, but not reliable sources of income. I always found it very difficult to explain my dreams and passion to others. Whenever I would paint, I was made fun of. I would often get discouraged, but I know my purpose and God has always been my strength.
As 2 Corinthians 9:8 says, “God is more than ready to overwhelm you with every form of grace, so that you will have more than enough of everything, every moment and in every way. He will make you overflow with abundance in every good thing you do.” And God’s grace has always been sufficient for me!
How do you encounter the Lord in your creativity?
I believe the greatest artist is God who made everything on this earth so beautiful. His creation is mesmerizing. Before I start painting, I always pray and God has always led me with amazing, creative ideas. I have experienced His presence as I paint. Whenever I paint nature, I am overwhelmed by God’s beautiful creation. What we try to paint on a piece of paper can never be compared to how beautiful God has created everything.
How did you become productive and abundant in your artwork/and where do you see it going from here?
The word of God says in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
I believe that God will never let me down. Whenever I feel discouraged about my work I remind myself about God’s plans for my life. I always pray and ask God for wisdom that I may take the right steps and God has helped me be productive in everything. I love to dream big because I know that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above and beyond our imagination. I pray and believe that very soon I will see my online business having offline stores too!
What do you feel God is calling you to in this season with your creativeness?
2 Peter 1:2 says, “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” I believe that grace is contagious and I have experienced immense amounts of His grace in my life. I believe that God has called me to be a carrier of this very grace to others through my art!
How do you juggle your business/family/socialtime?
Pursuing my Masters, having a full-time job and managing my business is often difficult to balance out. But God gives me wisdom to manage my time and give equal importance to my studies, work and business. On my weekends I devote my time exclusively to Grace Arts, painting and working on new products.
Some practical steps you'd encourage other creatives to take to become productive and learn business skills etc.?
Think Big for our God is Big! I would like to encourage all small business owners and artists to spend time in prayer and wait on the Lord - He is the one who gives wisdom and understanding to take the right steps. If you can’t figure it all out by yourself, do not hesitate to take professional help in building your business. Always enjoy what you do and you’ll never regret it! Be glad in every single order that you get. Some days you might get too many orders and some days, just one. Don’t be discouraged; keep learning and keep growing.
Any encouraging words, words of wisdom from what you've learned to help other creatives on their journey to being abundant and thriving artists/creatives/makers?
Never underestimate what God has put in you. Use it all for His glory and God will reward you. Many times we try to put God in a box, thinking that we cannot glorify God with what we have. If you have a gift that glorifies God, go ahead and do it.
Never give up! Our beginnings might be small, but Philippians 1:6 says, “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” When God starts something in your life, all we have to do is surrender to Him, trusting that He will complete it.
And never compare your ‘Chapter 1’ with someone else’s current Chapter. Stay focused and trust God, for He makes all things beautiful in His time!
God bless you!
I believe the greatest artist is God who made everything on this earth so beautiful. His creation is mesmerizing. Before I start painting, I always pray and God has always led me with amazing, creative ideas. I have experienced His presence as I paint. Whenever I paint nature, I am overwhelmed by God’s beautiful creation. What we try to paint on a piece of paper can never be compared to how beautiful God has created everything.
How did you become productive and abundant in your artwork/and where do you see it going from here?
The word of God says in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
I believe that God will never let me down. Whenever I feel discouraged about my work I remind myself about God’s plans for my life. I always pray and ask God for wisdom that I may take the right steps and God has helped me be productive in everything. I love to dream big because I know that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above and beyond our imagination. I pray and believe that very soon I will see my online business having offline stores too!
What do you feel God is calling you to in this season with your creativeness?
2 Peter 1:2 says, “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” I believe that grace is contagious and I have experienced immense amounts of His grace in my life. I believe that God has called me to be a carrier of this very grace to others through my art!
How do you juggle your business/family/socialtime?
Pursuing my Masters, having a full-time job and managing my business is often difficult to balance out. But God gives me wisdom to manage my time and give equal importance to my studies, work and business. On my weekends I devote my time exclusively to Grace Arts, painting and working on new products.
Some practical steps you'd encourage other creatives to take to become productive and learn business skills etc.?
Think Big for our God is Big! I would like to encourage all small business owners and artists to spend time in prayer and wait on the Lord - He is the one who gives wisdom and understanding to take the right steps. If you can’t figure it all out by yourself, do not hesitate to take professional help in building your business. Always enjoy what you do and you’ll never regret it! Be glad in every single order that you get. Some days you might get too many orders and some days, just one. Don’t be discouraged; keep learning and keep growing.
Any encouraging words, words of wisdom from what you've learned to help other creatives on their journey to being abundant and thriving artists/creatives/makers?
Never underestimate what God has put in you. Use it all for His glory and God will reward you. Many times we try to put God in a box, thinking that we cannot glorify God with what we have. If you have a gift that glorifies God, go ahead and do it.
Never give up! Our beginnings might be small, but Philippians 1:6 says, “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” When God starts something in your life, all we have to do is surrender to Him, trusting that He will complete it.
And never compare your ‘Chapter 1’ with someone else’s current Chapter. Stay focused and trust God, for He makes all things beautiful in His time!
God bless you!