At the end of 2019, just before the year that the world changed, I had an intense dream that woke me up with a start.
I was shocked by what I saw and knew I needed to paint it. Here is “Painting From a Dream,” completed, with video showing parts of the process as well.
I hope this painting and the message it contains both challenges and encourages you! It’s taken a while to finish the painting. But I finally have!
Some have asked me about it, so I decided it was time to post this video. This is a 16 x 20 acrylic on canvas.
Some might consider this “prophetic art.” But this really is a painting, with what I feel is a Biblical, Christian message, inspired by a dream.
Perhaps it is prophetic, especially considering the tumultuous events of the last two years!
One thing is clear: Focus on Jesus, and you won’t go wrong.
Anytime you decide to do something that takes faith, you can be sure that your faith will be tested.
Count on it.
As a working professional artist, I can attest personally that this is true.
God opened the door for me to do art full-time in the recession of 2009, when I lost a well-paying job as a traveling vacuum/ filtration equipment trainer. Before my boss gave me notice, my mother-in-law had a very frank discussion with her 32-year-old son-in-law about his future.
“You’re in a dead-end job, Matt. You’re stressed out all the time, and you don’t ever see your family. What is it that you think God has called you to do?”
“I’ve always wanted to be a full-time artist,” I replied.
“Well, why aren’t you doing it, then?” she shot back.
“Umm…because I’m afraid my bills won’t get paid?”
“What!? You can’t trust God to meet your needs?”
Ouch.
It was a dagger straight to the heart.
At that point, I knew I had to decide to do art full time, or I would regret it years later. Yes, I could trust God to meet my needs!
When my boss terminated my position just a week or two later, it was like a green light to go. I was ready to say goodbye to regular employment and embark on this new adventure of professional art!
Immediately, after announcing my new career to friends and family, I got commissioned portraits right away. My future was looking bright!
This continued until the middle of the year, and then “the brook dried up.”
I had no commissions, no income, a family to provide for and rent to pay. My landlord called me asking me where his rent money was.
My stomach sank to the floor.
“Maybe this whole thing about being a full-time artist was a pipe dream,” I moaned to my wife, head down. “Maybe I should go back and get a real job again.”
“No. We didn’t go through all of this for you to fail now.” She looked me right in the eyes. “I don’t care if we struggle financially, but if you don’t do what God has called you to do, then I will be mad at you!”
“So what do we do, then? We have no money for rent!”
“We need to pray,” she said, matter-of-factly. “And fast.”
“How long?” I didn’t like the idea of fasting.
“As long as it takes!”
We did pray, and fast. We were desperate and needed God to move.
I remember distinctly as we were praying in the kitchen that I had a very clear thought pop into my head. It went something like this:
Matt, what would you do if you had that rent money in your hands, right now?
It was like God was speaking right to me. “I would be praising You, thanking You,” I replied.
I want you to do that, right now.
“Okay, Lord,” I said, getting up from the floor. I held up my hands, and said, “Thank You, Lord, for the rent money.”
Now, my outstretched hands had nothing in them, but you couldn’t have convinced me that I wasn’t holding rent money in my hands at that moment. I felt a wave of faith, peace and joy settle right on me. Actually, it was more like a flood, a download from heaven!
“Thank You, LORD! We have the rent money!” I knew it was as good as done.
“We’re done praying, Leah,” I exclaimed to my wife. “We have it, and God is going to do it!”
The next day at church, a guy walked up to me. He said, “Matt, I’d like to commission you to do a portrait for me. I don’t know exactly what I want done yet, but I’d like to give you this to get you started.”
It was a check. I’d like to say it was for the exact amount of our rent, but it wasn’t. However, in the next few days, the rest came in, and we had the rent money!
Not Enough…Again
About seven years later my art business was growing. I had steady portrait work, I moved into a community art studio and I began teaching classes.
But I had a bad month toward the end of 2016. Not only did I not have money for my studio rent, but I didn’t have money for house rent either.
And I got that same dreaded call from my landlord: “When are you paying rent?”
You would think that I’d remember how God provided for me in times past. In an amazing profession of faith, I’d puff out my chest, pull on my suspender straps (if I wore suspenders) and proclaim: “I am not worried in the least. God will provide!”
But I didn’t. Not even close. I told Leah about the landlord’s call.
She said, “So?”
My wife obviously didn’t want to hear me complain.
Where else could I go? Discouragement was hitting me like a 20-ton logging truck. I retreated to my bedroom, shut the door, and poured my heart to the Lord in prayer.
I prayed, and prayed, but felt nothing. No outpouring of faith, peace and joy. Just the magnitude of our financial predicament.
With that burden, I went to bed. The next day, I had an art show at our community studio.
“Get your head in the game,” I told myself. I had to put on a smile and be presentable to the public.
As I dragged myself out of the car and into the art studio, still discouraged, I offered one more limp prayer to God.
“God, you’re a big God, so I’m going to pray a big prayer. I pray I would sell ‘Smoldering Wick” today at the show.”
Why not? Why not ask big when I felt as low as I could go? What did I have to lose?
“Smoldering Wick” was a 30 x 40 acrylic on canvas painting I had just finished in time for the show. I felt it was my best painting I had ever done, and I priced it accordingly. An illustration of Isaiah 42, it depicts a man going through a time of intense discouragement and despair. The idea for this painting developed in response to a soul-searching time of prayer and brokenness over my own sins.
“Smoldering Wick,” 30 x 40, acrylic on canvas, 2016, by Matt Philleo
I had been on my knees, with my Bible open, and I found this promise: “a bruised reed He will not break and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out.”
As I read these words, joy flooded my heart. My Bible literally became wet with tears. It confirmed to me again, I am saved not because of my own efforts, but because of the trustworthiness of God, revealed through His promises!
In the painting, the man’s servant encourages him in his time of need, while turning up the flame on His lamp. It symbolically portrays Jesus Christ, the suffering servant who identifies with our weaknesses and yet compassionately encourages us, promising to never snuff out our hope.
But at this moment, I didn’t feel hope. I literally felt like the man I had painted—discouraged and defeated.
Matt Philleo posing for “Smoldering Wick”
Not many attended our little art show. But toward the end of the day, a couple walked in. They seemed captivated by the painting and asked me about its meaning. I had already shared with several people that day and explained the symbolism to them just as I did to the others.
They looked at it for a while. Then one whispered to the other: “Where should we put it? Above the grand?”
“Maybe. Did you pay off the card?”
They discussed details like this for a while. I knew enough to keep my mouth shut.
“Do you take cards?” they asked.
“I do. I can scan it through my phone right here.”
“We’ll take it!”
Inside, I wanted to jump up and down like a little boy who was just told he would be going to Disneyland.
But instead, I held it together.
“That’s fantastic,” I said, shaking their hands as calmly as I could. “Congratulations! This is now your painting!”
After we took care of a few details and they left, I looked up and began to pray.
“Lord, what did you just do? Even though my faith was lagging, you still answered my prayer! Thank You, Lord! We have the rent money!”
You can be sure that when you step out in faith, your faith will be tested. And there is perhaps no other profession like the arts that stretches us in this way. But if you seek God, and remain true to the calling you were given, even in the tough times, God will provide for you!
Let me know what you thought of this story in the comments below. Have you ever had a time where your faith was tested? How did things turn out?
If you liked this post, please share it with your friends. Thanks and God bless you!—Matt
In this video, I share some thoughts I had while praying on our large swing in the backyard, and combined it with images of paintings I did. May God bless you richly this Easter and every day as you think about Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith!
All the best,
P.S. Did you find this post helpful or encouraging? If so, send it on ahead! Let others know with the share buttons below. I’d love to hear your comments. Thank you so much! Also, do you have a question on acrylic portrait painting you’d like answered? Let me know, and I’d be happy to help!
Every time it rolls around to the Easter Season, I’m amazed at how fast the last year went by. It seems like just yesterday that my children were running around our church looking for little chocolate delights hidden under chairs and on stairs.
I got really busy this year moving into a new house and studio that the Lord provided for us after renting for 16 years and creating art out of a tiny inner-city apartment with three children. Here’s how that came about…
We moved last weekend, but there’s still a lot to be done. I don’t have my studio moved into the new place yet, as I write.
My brother-in-law and his family came up to help. He’s a handyman, and he is helping us do some renovation in the bathroom, so we can do laundry there.
My daughter also helped a little on one of the projects. Removing old wallpaper and painting her bedroom.
I’m sure YOU are busy too with projects: spring cleaning, planning out summer for your family, and the myriads of other things that life can throw at you. It’s easy to forget about one of the greatest things that happened in human history. I found myself getting so busy, that I made some time this morning to spend with the Lord and remember what He did for me. He did it for all of us.
Dave Mattison, left, and Matt Philleo, members of Bethel Church in Eau Claire, created a seven-panel mural depicting significant events in Christian history, including Christ’s Crucifixion. In mid-December, the artists both of Eau Claire hung the mural in the church. The two posed on March 27, 2013, with the painting. Leader Telegram photo.
Jesus suffered and died on the cross for our sins and rose again to give us new life. I painted a 4′ x 28′ mural with a friend that tells more about this amazing story. It’s a long video, but if you have time to watch it, I believe it will bless you.
You and your family have a fantastic Easter!
All the best,
What does Easter mean to you? Let me know in the comments below.
Can you help me spread the word? Please share this post with your family and friends by using the social media links on the side or below. Thank you!
I was really in some darkness before I painted this picture. I felt despair over my sins (yes, even as a Christian.) I got on my knees, with my Bible open, and just poured out my heart before God. The promise in Isaiah 42: “A bruised reed He will not break and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out…” just came alive as I prayed and saw those words.
I felt like that bruised reed and smoldering wick. But I knew God would not abandon me. Light arose in the darkness. Tears of joy flowed down my face, and my hands raised upwards to God.
I wanted to commemorate the moment of God’s presence and peace and share it with others. So I painted this picture ( 30″ x 40″ acrylic on canvas) to symbolize what God did for me and bring encouragement to them as well.
The original painting sold at the end of 2016–shown above in the collector’s home right after I delivered it–but I have sold several limited edition prints since then.
I’d like for you to have your own copy. So I am making up some full resolution greeting cards that you can print and share with your friends. You may print off as many as you like (to be given for free only, thanks! )
The card fits on standard 8 1/2″ x 11″ paper. It has the painting description on the back, and the scripture text from Isaiah 42 written elegantly on the inside within a custom lamp design.
Printable Greeting Card of “Smoldering Wick,” 30 x 40 acrylic on canvas by Eau Claire artist Matt Philleo
For most, it’s a wonderful time of getting together with family and eating delicious home-cooked meals, maybe watch a football game. It’s also a great time to think about…what are you thankful for?
Here are the top 10 things that I am thankful for.
1. God.I am still amazed, after nearly 18 years of being a Christian, that God still loves me and has stuck with me.
I know some may say, “of course He loves you. He’s God.” But I know my own failings, my own sins all too well. And God knows more. I don’t deserve His mercy, but rather His punishment for my sins. And yet, amazingly, through Jesus Christ, He has thrown my sins into the sea of forgetfulness, cast them as far as the east is from the west, sealed them up in a bag, cleansed them and made them whiter that snow.
I continue to find new promises of God’s love and mercy all the time within the pages of my Bible, and more circumstances in life that He has walked with me through.
“Bethel Mural: The Gospel from Genesis to Revelation,” 4′ x 28′, acrylic on hardboard, by David Mattison and Matt Philleo, 2013, panel 4, detail
Not long ago, someone urged me to give up on my trust in Jesus.
“How can I?” I replied. “I’ve walked with Him, and I’ve talked with Him. He has been with me all this time.”
If you count yourself a Christian, it’s not just that you get a ticket punched for heaven.
No.
You get God.
And that is the best of all. As author John Piper puts it, “God is the Gospel.”
2. My wife. I owe so much of who I am as a full time artist today, to my beautiful wife of fifteen years.
She has put up with all of my idiosyncrasies as an artist–my ramblings about my latest art idea, and lofty views on life. She has fed me well, so that I have fuel to move my brush on the canvas. 🙂 She has endured several occasions of barely making rent. She has prompted me to pray, trust God, and see provision flow in miraculously. She has encouraged me to keep on painting and not give up on what God has created me to do.
My wife is an amazing mother too. When I see how she cares for her children–the sacrifice and love she pours into them, I am still amazed!
3. My children and family. It’s so wonderful to tuck your children to bed at night, kiss them on the cheek after reading a Bible story and praying with them. They have the best questions and their simple faith in God can amaze you. The Bible says “Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him.” (Psalm 127:3)
“Come as Children,” 16 x 20, acrylic on canvas portrait, Copyright 2017 by Matt Philleo, artist.
I am thankful for my family: my dad, my mom, my three brothers and sisters. A lot of who I am as an artist and Christian, I owe to them. My mom encouraged me to do artwork as a child, when she asked me to draw pictures for her newsletter at age 9. When I was 14, she brought a friend over to our house and I did my first paid commissioned portrait for her.
My mother-in-law encouraged me to do art full time as an adult. At age 32, I had a dead-end job that took me away from my family for days on end. Her “tough love” words shocked me into life, and set me on a course to finally pursue my dream of being a full time artist.
My brothers and sister (and her husband) encouraged me to draw and also built me up in my new faith as a Christian.
4. My church.I remember how, after my dad had passed away the pastor of my church took up a collection for us to be able to go down to his funeral. They collected over $500 in one day, from a church with only 50-75 people! Then the pastor let us borrow his Cadillac to make the drive from Wisconsin to southern Iowa. This is just one example of how my church has been a blessing to me and my family.
Portrait of Pastor & Mrs. Philip Palser, 16 x 20, acrylic on canvas, 2005 by fine artist Matt Philleo
Not only that, through many great sermons (messages) my life has been impacted. I’ve been given encouragement and direction to navigate through the uncertain, murky waters of life. It is in the context of a local church, that you can grow in your faith, encourage others, help people in need, be compelled to forgive others who have hurt you, and prepare yourself for the next life.
5. My health. I am blessed to be in good health, even though I’m 41. (That may seem old or young depending on your age) I thank God that I can wake up every day without much pain (I have headaches from time to time) and paint for a living.
“Strength to Rise”, 16 x 20, acrylic on canvas by artist Matt Philleo, copyright 2017
I have had some injuries and minor health problems. But there are a few rock-solid promises in the Bible: “Bless the Lord, O My soul and forget not all of His benefits, who forgives all your sins, and heals all your diseases.” (Psalm 103:2-3) “Surely he (Jesus) took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”(Isaiah 53:4-5)
Through the power of Jesus, I have been healed of several things: laryngitis, emaciation (I supernaturally put on weight when I was 140 lbs at 6’3) a foot injury when a stove dropped on my foot, a neck and spine injury, shoulder injury and other things I can’t remember. Miracles still happen today!
6. My art career. I am thankful that I can paint full time. There has been a cost for it, to be sure. I’ve had several months where I didn’t know how we would make rent. Income has been sporadic at times, we’ve had to tighten our financial belts to make it through. But it has increased my faith and drawn me closer to the Lord, out of necessity. And that is a good thing. Although I give up the stability of having a weekly paycheck, it’s nice to be able to leave my work when my wife calls to spend a couple hours with her and the family at the park. Or watch my daughter’s school play without having to ask off. It’s even better to wake up working on a job I love, even though it is work. Yes, painting is work! 🙂
7. Food, clothing and shelter. The Bible says, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” (I Timothy 6:6-8) On a daily basis, I thank God for food, clothing, and shelter. I may not be living in a dream home (yet) but at least I am not living under a bridge. I may not be eating filet mignon, but I have three square meals a day and purified water to drink. I am blessed!
8. Transportation.My wife and I own two cars. She has the van, I have the SUV. Which is perfect for moving art and art supplies around. Until a couple years ago, we had only one vehicle to save money. At that time I was working at a recycling center part time, and I rode my bicycle to work–about 3 miles–every day. It didn’t matter whether it was raining or snowing, 90 degrees, or -20 degrees. That’s how I got to work. I had studded tires, by the way, and dressed in several layers. It wasn’t always easy, but it kept me in good shape!
Pickup Truck pencil drawing by artist Matt Philleo
9. Freedoms. It’s cliche to say, but I am thankful for the freedoms I have in America. I’m not sure where you live, but chances are you live in a country that also grants you a lot freedoms as well: freedom of speech, freedom to worship according to the dictates of your conscience, freedom to move and live where you want.
“Walking in His Footsteps”, 11 x 14, pencil on paper, by artist Matt PhilleoNot everyone in the world has these freedoms. And in previous centuries, most people were tied down to a piece of land their whole life, with no chance of changing their circumstances. So, we need to count our blessings, even when we may be tempted to complain about taxes, and politicians we don’t like. Most of us have it way better than our ancestors five hundred years ago!
10. You. I wanted to finish this off, by saying, I am thankful for…you!
You are the one reading this article, sharing it with your friends, writing me back with kind words that have really encouraged me as an artist. You have shared your stories with me, prayer requests, art that you’re working on, ideas that you have. It means a lot. My greatest desire in life is to be able to share the joy of how good God has been to me with other people, and to encourage you in that pursuit as well. You have encouraged me in turn to pursue God more in my life. Painting, and teaching others how to paint, is an expression of that. Every time you have written back, it’s confirmed that what I am doing is making a difference, and it’s not in vain.
Somehow I long to meet you, if not in this life, then in the next. You have prayed for me and encouraged me too, when I’ve been down.
Thank you for all the support and kind words over the months and years!
Have a Happy Thanksgiving,
What are you most thankful for this thanksgiving? Let us know in the comments below.
Can you help me spread the word? Please share this post with your family and friends by using the social media links on the side or below. Thank you!
Recent Comments