Inspired Artistry Blog Tour

About the Book

Book:  Inspired Artistry
Author: Pamela Poole
Genre:  Non-fiction, Devotional
Release Date: March 30, 2020

Spirit-filled creative expression is an outreach for Christians to be ambassadors of the Kingdom.
This insightful devotional explores how the imprint of our Creator on all mankind makes it natural for Christians to embrace their unique gifts. Through Scripture, true stories, prayer, and study questions, readers will explore how every person born has a meaningful gift to contribute joy and beauty in the world. Led by the Holy Spirit, believers can live higher than the corrupting influences that distort Christ’s intent for our personal Inspired Artistry.

The pages of Inspired Artistry contain delightful illustrations and pages for readers who journal to write their own “Inspired Musings.”

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

I was pleasantly surprised with the depth of the devotionals in this book. I liked her emphasis on the spiritual nature of one's work and that it is not to be “self expression.” That caught my attention and made me think about it. A devotional topic that surprised me was on the problems that will come with artistic expression, both internal and external.

There were other surprises in the book, such as Poole's discussion about listening to music, whether sacred or secular. There were experiences with galleries, such as having her work displayed next to objectionable paintings. She also shares the pitfalls in joining artistic groups when they contain people who are not like minded. The gift of creativity is a blessing, Poole notes, but sharing it with the world will cost you something. (Loc 929/1246)

You will find good encouragement in this devotional to pursue the gifting God has given you. You'll find a realistic look at the artistic world today. You'll get some good lessons in ethics. You will also be challenged to develop your gift for the glory of God alone.

“You have a purpose for existing and gifts to share for the time you are given to walk this earth.” (Loc 254/1246)

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author

Pamela Poole’s love for the South inspires all her books and paintings. She and her husband Mark currently live in Raleigh, NC, but she’s hoping to get back home to the Lowcountry of SC someday.
If making her fictional stories public was a step of faith, writing her first devotional was a leap! Believing all Christians have a sphere of influence, she wanted to be certain that sharing her views was a process grounded in Scripture. Pamela believes nothing is wasted for a child of God. Using examples learned through challenging experiences, she reveals accounts of true events that only her family knew about before. Years of teaching art, teaching Bible Studies, leadership roles, membership in guilds and associations, mentoring, painting, exhibiting, and writing books has provided her with a wealth of hard-won lessons to share.
Pamela lives life loving Jesus and her family as a wife, mother, and Gigi, and she is blessed with true friends. She is a member of the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society and PaintNC. Readers and art enthusiasts alike can enjoy her Youtube channel for painting demos, art history lessons and projects, and peeks into an author’s life. Her blog can be found on her art and publishing websites. Her illustrations for FREE coloring pages are her contribution to a cause she cares about, the healing that happens through art, and they can be downloaded on her websites. To enjoy the latest content, sign up for her newsletters and follow Pamela Poole, Artist and Author and Southern Sky Publishing on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

More from Pamela

“I don’t have a talented bone in my body.”
“I can’t even make stick people.”
“I’ve never taken art classes.”
As an artist, teacher, author, and craft lover, I’ve heard statements like these all my life. My favorite is when my art students came to the first class saying, “I can’t even draw a straight line!” Flashing them my most engaging smile, I would respond brightly, “Me, either! I always use a ruler.”
Every person on the planet has a special gift of creativity. It is the stamp of our Maker, in whose image we are made. From the opening verses of the Bible, creativity is the first attribute that God reveals about Himself to mankind.
Christians have talents, but they do not think of them as creativity or as having any value in their faith or outreach to the world. Inspired Creativity—Embracing the Creative Calling is my first devotional, written to encourage my sisters and brothers in Christ to discover and develop their unique gifts. I base the book on the authority of Scripture, and I use personal stories to apply the biblical principles to real situations.
Many people shy away from their talents because of the rejection and ridicule they could face from those whose tastes run differently. I understand this well and have the scars to prove it after decades of participating in professional organizations, art exhibitions, classes, art galleries, and the online book market. Readers can look at any author’s reviews and see they will range from mean and scathing to helpful and glowing. By publishing this devotional, I have set myself up for criticism by sharing what I’ve learned and how it all fits into a biblical Christian worldview. Knowing how vulnerable creative Christians feel, I point out in this book that if we are abiding in Christ and following His lead, our work is inspired as both a healing, spiritual growth activity for our souls and something He may call us to share. We must get past our dread and remember we work to please Jesus, not mankind. Since when did Christ’s enemy not attack those who talk about Him or reach out in His name?
When writing Inspired Artistry, I faced a few scary moments when relating experiences in my creative life that only my husband and son knew had happened. But nothing is wasted when believers walk with Christ, and I obeyed the tug on my heart and the spiritual certainty that I traveled those roads for such a time as this. It is my prayer that readers will discover and embrace their creative gifts for their role as ambassadors of the Kingdom to come!
Note to readers who color and journal: the print version of this devotional has coloring and journaling pages.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 22

Debbie's Dusty Deliberations, July 23

For Him and My Family, July 24

Texas Book-aholic, July 25

Bizwings Blog, July 26

Holly Jo Morris, July 26

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, July 27

Inklings and notions, July 28

Emily Yager, July 29

Godly Book Reviews, July 30

deb's Book Review, July 31

Splashes of Joy, August 1

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 2

Captive Dreams Window, August 3

Mary Hake, August 3

Artistic Nobody, August 4 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

 

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was provided by Celebrate Lit.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)