creative highlight
MEMBER from our community
SUSANNE KOOIMAN
My name is Susanne. I live in an apartment in the Netherlands with my two cats. Two years ago. I came to faith when I watched the movie "The Shack." I have known a lot of grief in my life, including not fulfilling my desire to have children and all this 'alone'. While watching the movie, I was called by God. He let me know that He saw my tears and that it was time I came to Him for comfort and love. The next day, I immediately ordered and read the book. While reading, I noticed that my deepest pain and feeling of loneliness had disappeared. God had healed me! Since that day, I have completely gone to Him and I enjoy every day and every moment, which I may experience together with our dear Lord!
By praying and reading a lot in the Bible, I work on my relationship with God. For me, Bibel journaling is a wonderful way to spend my quiet time and I get to know the Bible much better! I also hope that I can encourage and inspire other people and above all I want to show the love of Jesus!
Instagram: @journaling_my_faith
Pinterest: Susanne (@journaling_my_faith)
By praying and reading a lot in the Bible, I work on my relationship with God. For me, Bibel journaling is a wonderful way to spend my quiet time and I get to know the Bible much better! I also hope that I can encourage and inspire other people and above all I want to show the love of Jesus!
Instagram: @journaling_my_faith
Pinterest: Susanne (@journaling_my_faith)
Can you tell us about your introduction to art? How did you know you had a creative gift?
As a child, I always loved to draw. When I first came to faith, I accidentally came into contact with Bible journaling on Instagram. That seemed like a great thing to do and then I just started doing it. Pretty soon I found out that I loved it and that it (usually) looked good. That encouraged me a lot!
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?
My friends found it difficult. They do not believe and have difficulty with my being so open about my faith. Those friendships have also unfortunately passed. But some religious people in my area also struggled with it. They found it difficult for me to draw and paint in my Bible. After a good conversation and my explanation that it was precisely given by God, they could see the beauty of it. My family and (ex) boyfriend are my biggest supporters! They always encourage me and are very proud of how I am developing at the moment! I love them very much!
What are your favorite ways to express your creativity?
Draw, paint with acrylics or watercolors and I love to worship! Sing along loud wherever I am :)
How do you encounter the Lord in your creativity?
I always start with prayer, then I read the entire verse or chapter in the Bible and then I let myself be guided. Usually it goes 'by itself', and in the meantime you are proclaiming the text.
As a child, I always loved to draw. When I first came to faith, I accidentally came into contact with Bible journaling on Instagram. That seemed like a great thing to do and then I just started doing it. Pretty soon I found out that I loved it and that it (usually) looked good. That encouraged me a lot!
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?
My friends found it difficult. They do not believe and have difficulty with my being so open about my faith. Those friendships have also unfortunately passed. But some religious people in my area also struggled with it. They found it difficult for me to draw and paint in my Bible. After a good conversation and my explanation that it was precisely given by God, they could see the beauty of it. My family and (ex) boyfriend are my biggest supporters! They always encourage me and are very proud of how I am developing at the moment! I love them very much!
What are your favorite ways to express your creativity?
Draw, paint with acrylics or watercolors and I love to worship! Sing along loud wherever I am :)
How do you encounter the Lord in your creativity?
I always start with prayer, then I read the entire verse or chapter in the Bible and then I let myself be guided. Usually it goes 'by itself', and in the meantime you are proclaiming the text.
Is there more than one creative outlet for you? Do they all come together or totally separate?
I also love to sing and (prophetically) dance. Usually, this is separated from each other. Usually, when I draw or paint it is really quiet so I can think through the text or something else. I also often pray while creating. Sometimes I turn on worship, but not very often. I often do this separately.
Are others in your family creative too?
Yes, my mom also paints and my smaller niece recently started drawing too. Both can do this very well! And I have another niece who is a cake and chocolate artist.
What do you feel God is calling you to in this season with your creativeness?
At the moment especially, I encourage and inspire other people. I am always grateful when I get a message from someone telling me that they were touched or encouraged or that it was just something they needed to hear. Then I thank God extensively! And for myself, I still have a lot to learn, both from the Bible and in painting technique.
Is it costly to be a creative/artist?
It certainly doesn't have to be the case in the beginning. There are plenty of cheaper but good brands to start with. When I got a bit further with my technique, I started using better brands. They are more expensive, but also last longer.
How did you become productive and abundant in your artwork/and where do you see it going from here?
I am guided by the Holy Spirit and really try to listen to His voice. For example, once I didn't create anything for almost two weeks, because nothing just came in. That happens sometimes. I don't force it. For now, I still have a lot to learn in terms of techniques, but my dream is to make cards and posters!
Some practical steps you'd encourage other creatives to take to become productive and learn business skills etc.?
Find other accounts to see how they are doing. There are many tutorial videos on Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. Some people also offer free printables for you to use. Ask questions about techniques, materials, inspiration. There are a lot of lovely people who want to help you. You can also take a look at my page.
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?
I really want to recommend it to everyone. It is a gift to spend so much precious time with God. It gives you peace, depth, you learn a lot from it, it protects you and you experience so much love both while creating and sharing. Besides yourself, you can also encourage others! In addition, I think it is a nice interpretation on social media among all the other topics. You can share the love of Jesus!
I also love to sing and (prophetically) dance. Usually, this is separated from each other. Usually, when I draw or paint it is really quiet so I can think through the text or something else. I also often pray while creating. Sometimes I turn on worship, but not very often. I often do this separately.
Are others in your family creative too?
Yes, my mom also paints and my smaller niece recently started drawing too. Both can do this very well! And I have another niece who is a cake and chocolate artist.
What do you feel God is calling you to in this season with your creativeness?
At the moment especially, I encourage and inspire other people. I am always grateful when I get a message from someone telling me that they were touched or encouraged or that it was just something they needed to hear. Then I thank God extensively! And for myself, I still have a lot to learn, both from the Bible and in painting technique.
Is it costly to be a creative/artist?
It certainly doesn't have to be the case in the beginning. There are plenty of cheaper but good brands to start with. When I got a bit further with my technique, I started using better brands. They are more expensive, but also last longer.
How did you become productive and abundant in your artwork/and where do you see it going from here?
I am guided by the Holy Spirit and really try to listen to His voice. For example, once I didn't create anything for almost two weeks, because nothing just came in. That happens sometimes. I don't force it. For now, I still have a lot to learn in terms of techniques, but my dream is to make cards and posters!
Some practical steps you'd encourage other creatives to take to become productive and learn business skills etc.?
Find other accounts to see how they are doing. There are many tutorial videos on Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. Some people also offer free printables for you to use. Ask questions about techniques, materials, inspiration. There are a lot of lovely people who want to help you. You can also take a look at my page.
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?
I really want to recommend it to everyone. It is a gift to spend so much precious time with God. It gives you peace, depth, you learn a lot from it, it protects you and you experience so much love both while creating and sharing. Besides yourself, you can also encourage others! In addition, I think it is a nice interpretation on social media among all the other topics. You can share the love of Jesus!