meet our webinar guest
Stephanie Lawhorn
I'm a self-taught artist and teacher from the Dallas, TX area who specializes in creating highly textured abstract and botanical paintings inspired by my Christian faith.
Instagram: @inspiredbyhimart Facebook: @inspiredbyhimfineart Email: inspiredbyhimart@gmail.com
Website: www.inspiredbyhimart.com, www.etsy.com/shop/inspiredbyhimfineart
Instagram: @inspiredbyhimart Facebook: @inspiredbyhimfineart Email: inspiredbyhimart@gmail.com
Website: www.inspiredbyhimart.com, www.etsy.com/shop/inspiredbyhimfineart
Can you tell us about your introduction to art? How did you know you had a creative gift?
I suppose I was introduced to art and my love for it early in childhood. My mom is naturally creative and worked as a free-lance artist when I was growing up. I always loved art classes in grade school and went through periods of time when I felt more capable or not. It’s only been within the last 2-3 years that I’ve really started to experience the potential of my creative gift, although I feel like I’m always learning and searching for how God intends me to use such a tool.
Did you ever think you’d be selling your art, or teaching art?
Oh my, not in my wildest dreams! I sign all my work with Ephesians 3:20 - God’s plans for us, the journey He leads us on, FAR exceed anything what we could begin to ask or imagine! I explain it as a ‘childhood dream come true’. When you’re little, you have all these grand ideas of what you want to be when you grow up, and my earliest memory is of me wanting to be an Artist! You grow up though and these dreams start to feel unattainable so you find other more ‘realistic’ paths to follow. In my case, I followed a second love, marine and wildlife sciences. My love for life sciences, nature and God’s creations often finds its way into my personal art and teaching style.
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? Life family/friends/strangers?
Although I’m a teacher by trade and speak for a living, speaking about myself or explaining the messages in my own art is very difficult for me! I can talk about my students and their work all day, but explaining my own creativity is a completely different story. I’ve found that putting my thoughts in writing via social media posts has really helped me open up. In doing this, it focuses my scattered thoughts and gives me time to process my inspiration in my works, allowing for me to speak to others more easily. That being said, learning to ‘explain myself’ and my inspiration to others is something I continually have to lean on God’s strength as it’s certainly not something I can do alone.
I suppose I was introduced to art and my love for it early in childhood. My mom is naturally creative and worked as a free-lance artist when I was growing up. I always loved art classes in grade school and went through periods of time when I felt more capable or not. It’s only been within the last 2-3 years that I’ve really started to experience the potential of my creative gift, although I feel like I’m always learning and searching for how God intends me to use such a tool.
Did you ever think you’d be selling your art, or teaching art?
Oh my, not in my wildest dreams! I sign all my work with Ephesians 3:20 - God’s plans for us, the journey He leads us on, FAR exceed anything what we could begin to ask or imagine! I explain it as a ‘childhood dream come true’. When you’re little, you have all these grand ideas of what you want to be when you grow up, and my earliest memory is of me wanting to be an Artist! You grow up though and these dreams start to feel unattainable so you find other more ‘realistic’ paths to follow. In my case, I followed a second love, marine and wildlife sciences. My love for life sciences, nature and God’s creations often finds its way into my personal art and teaching style.
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? Life family/friends/strangers?
Although I’m a teacher by trade and speak for a living, speaking about myself or explaining the messages in my own art is very difficult for me! I can talk about my students and their work all day, but explaining my own creativity is a completely different story. I’ve found that putting my thoughts in writing via social media posts has really helped me open up. In doing this, it focuses my scattered thoughts and gives me time to process my inspiration in my works, allowing for me to speak to others more easily. That being said, learning to ‘explain myself’ and my inspiration to others is something I continually have to lean on God’s strength as it’s certainly not something I can do alone.
How do you encounter the Lord in your creativity?
Sometimes the messages in my work come through in the beginning of their creation, while other times it takes a while for the inspiration to be revealed. While some pieces I’m inspired to create directly relate to a message or lesson God is working on in my own heart, I’ve also noticed that other pieces I create are not intended for me at all but for others to plant a seed, to share God’s truth. I often find myself trying to quiet my own selfish, restless mind and trust God’s timing, listen to His voice in this creative journey, which is easier said than done for me!
intends me to use such a tool.
What do you feel God is calling you to in this season with your creativeness?
When my personal art took off a couple years ago, I felt as if He was leading me to create full-time. I see now though that this process of creating my own work has allowed me to not only act as a vessel for HIS Glory (not my own), but also to allow me to work with the students I teach every day. Someday I may create full-time, but in this season my focus is not on myself but on using what I know and learn to help my students find their voice and see their own creative potential.
How did you become productive and abundant in your artwork/and where do you see it going from here?
While there is certainly a lot of negativity associated with social media, it’s really helped me in sharing my inspired art with the world! Continually practicing my craft and exploring new ideas keeps me interested and moving forward. While I’d like to see my art continue to grow and inspire others in the future, my ultimate goal in this journey is to bring God glory and bring people closer to Him. Only God knows what’s in store as I continue on this path so my prayer is for discernment as I try to focus on where God’s leading me and not what my own selfish heart wants.
Sometimes the messages in my work come through in the beginning of their creation, while other times it takes a while for the inspiration to be revealed. While some pieces I’m inspired to create directly relate to a message or lesson God is working on in my own heart, I’ve also noticed that other pieces I create are not intended for me at all but for others to plant a seed, to share God’s truth. I often find myself trying to quiet my own selfish, restless mind and trust God’s timing, listen to His voice in this creative journey, which is easier said than done for me!
intends me to use such a tool.
What do you feel God is calling you to in this season with your creativeness?
When my personal art took off a couple years ago, I felt as if He was leading me to create full-time. I see now though that this process of creating my own work has allowed me to not only act as a vessel for HIS Glory (not my own), but also to allow me to work with the students I teach every day. Someday I may create full-time, but in this season my focus is not on myself but on using what I know and learn to help my students find their voice and see their own creative potential.
How did you become productive and abundant in your artwork/and where do you see it going from here?
While there is certainly a lot of negativity associated with social media, it’s really helped me in sharing my inspired art with the world! Continually practicing my craft and exploring new ideas keeps me interested and moving forward. While I’d like to see my art continue to grow and inspire others in the future, my ultimate goal in this journey is to bring God glory and bring people closer to Him. Only God knows what’s in store as I continue on this path so my prayer is for discernment as I try to focus on where God’s leading me and not what my own selfish heart wants.