Thursday, October 2, 2014
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Candee's Testimony
I was born in 1971 and since I was a little girl, I can remember painting. On paper, on crafts, on walls (when momma wasn't looking), anything that needed a little color... it got it. I engulfed myself in art from middle school through college, and graduated with a degree in "Fine Arts" in 1993.
In 1994, I started my own mural business called "Mural Masters". I have painted murals in homes, churches, and business for over 19 years. That business has been a blessing to me... but this is where the story changes.
While at a "Worship Conference" in TN. in 2006, I saw for the first time during service, someone "worship painting". The conference lasted for 3 days, and by the end, he put up the piece for "silent auction". I watch the artist pray, dance, kneel & bow, read the Bible... all while he painted. I knew then, that was for me... God laid it on my heart to "paint for Him", and through blessing Him through my art, He would then bless others.
Well, five years later, Fall of 2011 & I still had not attempted to worship paint. Excuses...mostly fueled by insecurities. Then, in October, I was commissioned by my music pastor to paint "ABSTRACT ART". I have never painted abstract! Not my thing... I thought... but it's not about me... right? I have always been what I call a "controlled" artist, "in the lines"... or a realistic artist. I painted a car to look like a car, flowers to look like flowers, animals to look like animals... you get the idea. I also, have always shown the client a mock drawing of exactly the mural they would be getting before I even started painting. The client knew what they were getting.
Abstract... Worship Art... Talk about being out of my comfort zone! Now, God has challenged me to take a blank canvas and just paint with no plan! You see, I knew this 5 years ago, and that's why I was so intimidated to try. I am use to doing it my way, and how I know to make something look good. The truth is... I was controlled or you could say... I was in control!
What I found out, is that there is FREEDOM in the NOT KNOWING or NOT BEING IN CONTROL! What I was so afraid of, has given me such a creative release! This year I turned 40, and God literally told me, "For 40 years, you have done it your way... now are you ready to do it mine?". Oh my! Did it actually take me 40 years to go around that mountain?
Recently, while ministering in Florida, I was told that this is "NOT ABSTRACT ART"... which could mean "without order". We know that God is a God of order, and it was now to be called "Prophetic Painting". There are messages that come from each art piece for one individual, or many. Ms. Bonnie, thank you for revealing this to me.
Now, with only a paint brush in hand, or no paint brush at all, I venture into a new worship experience to literally give God back a talent that He has given me. I am so thankful for my awakening, & my prayer is that this testimony awakens something in you as well.
In His Service & Love,
Candee Potter Masters
PS. A special thanks to my wonderful husband, Lindsay, for his amazing support! To our precious children, Makenzee & Paul-alan, for their patience "while mommy is painting". To my beautiful parents, Paul & Jeanette, for always telling me to follow my dreams, and doing whatever it took to see them come true!
Then, to my precious friends that were with me in TN, that always told me... "You can do this, Candee". You were apart...of the start! Also, to my friends and family that were at my "First Worship Art Reveal" at Covenant Bible Church. You gave me confirmations, and encouragement! Pastor Todd, for being the "Aaron" when I was going through my "Moses" experience. Last but not least, my Father God, for giving me a gift that I want to always bring Glory to You.
In 1994, I started my own mural business called "Mural Masters". I have painted murals in homes, churches, and business for over 19 years. That business has been a blessing to me... but this is where the story changes.
While at a "Worship Conference" in TN. in 2006, I saw for the first time during service, someone "worship painting". The conference lasted for 3 days, and by the end, he put up the piece for "silent auction". I watch the artist pray, dance, kneel & bow, read the Bible... all while he painted. I knew then, that was for me... God laid it on my heart to "paint for Him", and through blessing Him through my art, He would then bless others.
Well, five years later, Fall of 2011 & I still had not attempted to worship paint. Excuses...mostly fueled by insecurities. Then, in October, I was commissioned by my music pastor to paint "ABSTRACT ART". I have never painted abstract! Not my thing... I thought... but it's not about me... right? I have always been what I call a "controlled" artist, "in the lines"... or a realistic artist. I painted a car to look like a car, flowers to look like flowers, animals to look like animals... you get the idea. I also, have always shown the client a mock drawing of exactly the mural they would be getting before I even started painting. The client knew what they were getting.
Abstract... Worship Art... Talk about being out of my comfort zone! Now, God has challenged me to take a blank canvas and just paint with no plan! You see, I knew this 5 years ago, and that's why I was so intimidated to try. I am use to doing it my way, and how I know to make something look good. The truth is... I was controlled or you could say... I was in control!
What I found out, is that there is FREEDOM in the NOT KNOWING or NOT BEING IN CONTROL! What I was so afraid of, has given me such a creative release! This year I turned 40, and God literally told me, "For 40 years, you have done it your way... now are you ready to do it mine?". Oh my! Did it actually take me 40 years to go around that mountain?
Recently, while ministering in Florida, I was told that this is "NOT ABSTRACT ART"... which could mean "without order". We know that God is a God of order, and it was now to be called "Prophetic Painting". There are messages that come from each art piece for one individual, or many. Ms. Bonnie, thank you for revealing this to me.
Now, with only a paint brush in hand, or no paint brush at all, I venture into a new worship experience to literally give God back a talent that He has given me. I am so thankful for my awakening, & my prayer is that this testimony awakens something in you as well.
In His Service & Love,
Candee Potter Masters
PS. A special thanks to my wonderful husband, Lindsay, for his amazing support! To our precious children, Makenzee & Paul-alan, for their patience "while mommy is painting". To my beautiful parents, Paul & Jeanette, for always telling me to follow my dreams, and doing whatever it took to see them come true!
Then, to my precious friends that were with me in TN, that always told me... "You can do this, Candee". You were apart...of the start! Also, to my friends and family that were at my "First Worship Art Reveal" at Covenant Bible Church. You gave me confirmations, and encouragement! Pastor Todd, for being the "Aaron" when I was going through my "Moses" experience. Last but not least, my Father God, for giving me a gift that I want to always bring Glory to You.
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