Melanie Fagan Art

07/25/2026

I love, love, love how this entry turned out.
In the past, I've had a page mostly completed, and then I would find the words to add to the page. But this one was different. As I sorted through the trays of words, thoughts began to connect, and then an image came to mind.

There is something peaceful and even magical when pictures and found words come together to remind your heart and soul of what is important!

Read more and create with me over on Patreon!!

Found Words & Photos 01 Promo Clip (1).mp4I love, love, love how this entry turned out. In the past, I've had a page mostly completed, and then I would find the words to add to the page. But this one was different. As I sorted through the trays of words, thoughts began to connect, and then an image....

07/24/2026

Sacred moments are the little blessings in the day-to-day that allow me to pause and take notice of the Divine or the Beautiful. For me, these moments are a gift from God. They may present as any of the following: (this list is not all-inclusive in any way)

– Quiet Moments
– Peaceful Moments
– Moments in time when my mind is open to receive new thoughts, inspirations, and guidance.
– Moments when my body is calm and peaceful through the experience of the moment, via prayer, and other relaxation modalities.
– Hopeful Moments
– Beautiful Moments
– Inspirational Moments
– Moments to Cherish
– Moments of Joy
– Moments of Laughter
– Moments of Learning Something New
– Moments of Answered Prayers
– Moments of Happiness
– Moments to Learn From
– Moments Remembered

Seek out and allow these opportunities to be part of your day-to-day. I find that these moments move me in a way that is nurturing to my mind, my body, and my soul. I want to remember them. I also want them to inspire my creativity.

It’s important to keep a record of them. Create notes on your phone or carry a mini-journal around with you to jot them down. Printing a beautiful photo out and adding your memory to it gives the moment a visual reminder.

When we long to embrace a beautiful life, we need to establish and honor what inspires and moves us. There is no better inspiration for authentic creativity than our very own experiences and observations.

Read more over on the blog this morning or in the first comment below... See Link In Bio Posts

Sacred moments are the little blessings in the day-to-day, that allow me to pause and take notice of the Divine or the Beautiful. For me, t

07/20/2026

People often ask me why I'm so passionate about beauty.
Why photography?
Why journaling?
Why mixed-media art?
Why do I believe creativity can deepen our faith?

The answer isn't because my life has always been easy.
It's because it hasn't.

Living with chronic illness and chronic pain has changed the way I move through life. There are days when my body asks me to slow down, when plans have to change, and when the life I imagined feels just out of reach.

There was a time when I thought beauty and joy were also just out of reach. Now I know it's something God gently invites me to notice. That simple shift has changed everything.

Beauty hasn't removed the hard things from my life. It hasn't erased pain or answered every question. But it has become one of the ways God continually draws me close.

When I step outside with my camera,
I begin paying attention again.
When I open my Bible and journal,
my heart becomes quieter.
When I create with paper, photographs, paint, or found words,
I'm reminded that God is always making something beautiful, even from the pieces that feel torn, unfinished, or ordinary.

Creativity has become more than a hobby.
It's become a way of praying.
A way of listening.
A way of healing.
A way of dwelling with Jesus.

That's why this summit means so much to me.
Not because it's about making beautiful art.
But because it's about discovering that beauty can become a pathway into God's presence.

It's about learning to notice Him in the middle of everyday life.
It's about renewing our minds through His Word.
It's about finding hope when life feels heavy.
It's about remembering that even when our circumstances don't change, our hearts can.

I don't believe God is asking us to create perfect journals, perfect paintings, or perfect photographs. I believe He's inviting us into a relationship. One where beauty slows us down enough to notice Him. One where creativity becomes a response to His love.
One where even our hardest seasons can become sacred places where He meets us.

If you've ever wondered whether a beautiful and meaningful life is still possible while living with chronic illness, pain, disappointment, or simply the weight of everyday life, I want you to know this:

It is.

Not because life becomes easy.
But because Jesus meets us in it.
And sometimes, one of the places He meets us most tenderly is through the simple act of noticing beauty, opening His Word, and creating with Him.

That is my "why."

And it's the reason I'm so grateful to be part of this beautiful summit. My prayer is that it encourages you to see God's beauty with fresh eyes, draw closer to His heart, and discover that creativity can become one of the most meaningful ways you walk with Him.

https://www.melaniefaganart.com/post/living-with-chronic-illness-pain-still-living-a-beautiful-meaningful-life-by-journaling-creating-with-beauty

07/17/2026

One of the greatest gifts of the Christian life is that we can never reach the end of knowing God. Yet if we're honest, it's easy to become familiar with the rhythms of our faith.

We read familiar passages of Scripture. We say familiar prayers. We move through familiar routines. And before we realize it, we've stopped expecting God to surprise us.

Not because He has stopped loving and guiding,

But because we've stopped noticing.

I've found that one of God's sweetest invitations is to let someone else's story refresh my own perspective. As I listen to how another believer encounters Him through creativity, Scripture, prayer, or the beauty of everyday life, I often find my own heart awakening again. This is exactly what happened through Season One of The Creating with Beauty Podcast.

We each get to experience the same faithful God from different places along the journey.

Sometimes their perspective helps me notice something I had overlooked.

Sometimes it reminds me of a truth I had forgotten.

Sometimes it simply rekindles my sense of wonder.

I think that's one of the beautiful purposes of a creative community. God weaves together different stories, different gifts, and different experiences so that together we see more of His goodness than we ever could alone.

As this summit continues, I hope you'll approach each session with a simple prayer:

"Lord, help me see You with fresh eyes today."

You may discover that God uses an unexpected story, a creative practice, or a simple moment of beauty to speak directly to your heart.

Today, I'm delighted to introduce you to more women whose unique gifts and journeys offer beautiful, fresh perspectives on God's faithfulness. I hope you'll join me in learning from each of them with open hands, open hearts, and eyes ready to notice the beauty He has prepared for us.

Today's Spotlight Artists:
- Diane Marra
- Nancy on YouTube
https://orchidaffiliate.com/link-in-bio - Sophie Mims
- Me :)

Read more and sign up via my Link in Bio.

Ok friends, I hope you've found this little get to know other creatives inspiring and encouraging. Talk soon! xoxo - Melanie

https://www.melaniefaganart.com/post/the-beauty-of-looking-at-faith-with-fresh-eyes-gathered-around-beauty-series-05

One of the greatest gifts of the Christian life is that we can never reach the end of knowing God. Yet if we're honest, it's easy to become familiar with the rhythms of our faith.We read familiar passages of Scripture. We say familiar prayers. We move through familiar routines. And before we realize...

07/15/2026

One of my favorite things about gatherings like The Faith Journaling Collective Summit isn't simply discovering new creative techniques, it's discovering new ways of seeing God.

Every artist has a story.

Every story has been shaped by joy, heartbreak, waiting, healing, hope, and countless moments of God's faithfulness.

When someone shares how they meet with Jesus through creativity, they're doing more than teaching a skill. They're inviting us into a glimpse of their journey with Him.

I don't come to a summit like this thinking, "I already know enough." I come with open hands and an open heart, wondering what God might want to teach me through the experiences of others.

Sometimes it's a fresh perspective on Scripture.

Sometimes it's the courage to try something new.

Sometimes it's simply the reminder that we're not walking this journey alone.

I believe God delights in using the gifts of His people to encourage, inspire, and strengthen one another. That's why I'm especially excited to learn from these women, not because they have all the answers, but because each one reflects a unique facet of God's love, creatively.

Today, I'd love to introduce you to four more incredible artists from the summit.

As you read about them, I encourage you to ask:

"Lord, what might You want to show or teach me through this person?"

You never know which lesson, story, or creative practice God will use to draw you just a little closer to His heart.

Today's Spotlight Artists:
- Regina
- Sandy
- Sarah
- Tracy

Read more over and sign up for FREE on the blog, just click over to my Link in Bio posts.

One of my favorite things about gatherings like The Faith Journaling Collective Summit isn't simply discovering new creative techniques, it's discovering new ways of seeing God.Every artist has a story.Every story has been shaped by joy, heartbreak, waiting, healing, hope, and countless moments of G...

07/11/2026

Do you remember that gem of a book, The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman? It's such a good book that helps you learn more about yourself and your spouse, let alone other people in your life that you love and care about.

When I began to experiment with my creativity, I thought everything creative was something I needed to do. Be a student of all of it and a master of nothing. Not that I am a master of anything, because I am not. However, what I began to realize was that certain aspects of creativity really started to speak to me. Certain ideas and mediums sparked something within. It's as if it were an invitation of some kind.... and it was.

I now say that photography is my first creative love language. It's my gateway into this sacred, beautiful world of meeting Jesus through the creative process. How an image can be a prayer and a scripture with that image, mana to my soul

One of the best things about this creative community and the world we get to live in is that Beauty is everywhere. God's love will show up for you in ways you could never imagine. Some extravagant and some as simple as how collage elements come together on the page.

The endless options of Beauty, creativity, and soulful expression are why I said yes to the Faith Journaling Collective Summit (a FREE event on July 21-22, 2026). With twenty women inviting you into their creative love languages, you're going to be blessed, encouraged, and renewed.

Over the next week, I will be featuring each of these amazing women here for you and over on my blog to learn a little more about them. These wonderful women are sharing meaningful ways in which they spend time with God and engage with Scripture. Go, give them a follow and share a little joy!

Today's Spotlight Artists:
- Jodi feather.soul.journaling - Leslie
- Laurie
- Liberty

My hope is that, now, you can easily experience how the Lord will use other beautiful and creative souls to share His love with you, inviting you to embrace your very own creative love language.

Do you remember that gem of a book, The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman? It's such a good book that helps you learn more about yourself and your spouse, let alone other people in your life that you love and care about. When I began to experiment with my creativity, I thought everything creative....

07/10/2026

Today, let's chat a little bit about community and what I am learning through this process of creating one.

With Season One of The Creating with Beauty Podcast ending, I am in awe of the women I've had the privilege to talk with. Each one had such beautiful encouragement and wisdom that honestly changed how I look at some things in my life. 

When a creative woman opens her heart and faith to share something personal and sacred with others, I firmly believe God meets you there. He allows the messages and techniques to speak to you in a way that someone else could completely miss. The insight and meaning that you take away are meant just for you.

As you may know, I am participating in the Faith Journaling Collective Summit (a FREE event on July 21-22, 2026). Over the next 10 days, I will be featuring each of these amazing women here for you to learn a little more about them. This way, you can easily experience how the Lord will use other beautiful and creative souls to share His love with you.

Learn and read more over on the blog!

Today's Spotlight Artists:
- Amanda
- Christie
- Dale Annwith.gayle. - Gayle

Today, I want to chat a little bit about community and what I am learning through this process of creating one. With Season One of The Creating with Beauty Podcast ending, I am in awe of the women I've had the privilege to talk with. Each one had such beautiful encouragement and wisdom that honestly...

07/10/2026

I've learned over the years how healing it is to notice God's Beauty and then journal my prayers alongside the images that I take or find beautiful. Something happens within my brain and body that honestly changes how I show up in my life. I would love more than anything to share this easy process with you because I know how much it has helped me and continues to help me daily.

It shows me:
God's love and grace are always near.
There is Beauty in hard things - that doesn't mean the hard is beautiful, it just means that through His love and grace, we can find something to be grateful for. For example, a monarch butterfly landing on a zinnia flower while at the same time processing the loss of my dad.

Gathering Beauty and allowing it to rewrite my story is one of the best decisions I've ever made.

I'm sharing this process within the Faith Journaling Collective Summit on July 21 & 22, 2026. The event is FREE with an AWESOME VIP option as well.

It's not just me, friends! It's 19 other beautiful and creative women sharing their faith and creative journeys! Come and join us.

Read and learn more over on the blog...

I've learned over the years how healing it is to notice God's Beauty and then journal my prayers alongside the images that I take or find beautiful. Something happens within my brain and body that honestly changes how I show up in my life. I would love more than anything to share this easy process w...

06/25/2026

GUYS!!! I LOVE MY JOB!!! I have followed Ali Brown for years!! She was one of the first channels I started following in the wayback machine of 2017!! Here we are, all these years later, and we recorded a podcast interview together!

I am honored and not gonna lie, slightly fan-girling! We had an amazing conversation. Ali is so down-to-earth and full of wisdom, love, and joy! Grab a cuppa yum and join us!!

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What if creativity is far more than a hobby?

What if God intentionally designed creativity to help renew our minds, restore joy, regulate our nervous systems, and draw us closer to Him?

In this inspiring conversation, artist, teacher, and creative encourager Ali Brown shares how creativity impacts both the brain and the soul. Together, we explore the connection between creativity, neuroplasticity, healing, gratitude, beauty, and God's loving design for flourishing.

From visual journaling and color to neuroscience and spiritual transformation, this conversation reveals how creativity can become a sacred pathway to peace, healing, and deeper intimacy with Jesus.

Whether you're an artist, journaler, photographer, maker, or simply longing for more joy and renewal, you'll discover why your brain and soul were made for this.

If you loved this episode, please like, share, and subscribe to our channels. :)

About Ali:
Ali Brown is a Christian artist, creative educator, worship leader, and the founder and coach of The Joy Revival. She believes creativity is one of God's greatest gifts to us...and that it's never too late to pick up a paintbrush, tell your story, or find your way back to joy.

What if creativity is far more than a hobby?What if God intention...

06/23/2026

I'm honored to share that I am one of 20 women contributing to the Faith Journaling Summit this year!! This is an amazing opportunity for you to lean more into your faith and discover and embrace all the goodness the Lord has for you through journaling and creativity.

20 women sharing 20 ways to spend time with God!
Completely Free!

How it Works:
The FREE Summit starts on July 21, 2026, for 2 DAYS ONLY!!
Free Pass:
10 Lessons released July 21 (available for 24 hours)
10 Lessons released July 22 (available for 24 hours)
Must register to attend
Most teachers include a free gift with their lessons for attendees

Upgrade to the VIP Pass for Exclusive Bonuses and
Lifetime Access for ONLY $37.00!!
VIP Experience Upgrade:
Lifetime access to all 20 lessons starting July 21, 2026
18 Exclusive VIP bonuses valued at over $568

The ability to revisit the training anytime you need encouragement, clarity, or practical next steps.

I'll be sharing more in the coming days and weeks!
For now, go and register!!

Please use my link when joining; it is a wonderful blessing and help!

https://www.faithbundles.com/a/2148280176/JyCziGaQ