Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharon Collins.
Hi Sharon, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am a Christian author, artist and speaker. The funny thing is I never had any aspirations to write, paint or do public speaking. God must have a sense of humor because he called me to embark on an unexpected and improbable journey almost five years ago. It began with a girls’ trip to Santa Fe, NM where I found myself unusually interested in the art. One of my girlfriends suggested that I take art lessons. So I began painting classes in November 2017 and immediately fell in love with the creative process. Although I sensed God wanted me to honor him through my art, I wasn’t sure how I should do that. I decided to pair each painting with a Bible verse.
Five months later while on a walk, God asked me to go beyond a Bible verse for each painting. I sensed he was calling me to write devotionals to accompany my paintings and to start a website where I would post those pairings. My immediate reaction was, “I don’t know. how to build a website!” It is amazing what you can learn when God calls you to a task. My website launched on May 1, 2018.
After steadily writing and painting for a few months, my husband, Ron, started telling me that I should do a book. I was absolutely not interested. It sounded like way too much work! Ron, however, was persistent with his “suggestion,” so I finally said I would look into it when I had fifty-two devotionals written.
I hit the fifty-two target in the summer of 2019 and began to explore the possibilities of getting published. I knew that I needed a publisher but soon learned that most publishers aren’t interested in unknown, first-time authors. Through the grace of God, I found a website that maintained a repository of book proposals accessed by Christian publishers and literary agents looking for new material. I paid a small fee for my proposal to be included in the repository for six months. I expected zero responses, but two days after submitting my proposal I heard from Deep River Books who published “Becoming His Masterpiece” in November 2020. God is still in the miracle business!
In October, my second book will be released. It is titled “Becoming His Masterpiece: Reflect and Pray Edition.” I have expanded the original book to include study and reflection questions for each of the devotionals. The book will also include a prayer journaling space.
I continue to paint and write devotionals on my website: www.becominghismasterpiece.com.
I have been blessed with the opportunity to create paintings to accompany several sermon series at my home church, Grace Presbyterian Church. Early this year I had the privilege of displaying twenty-three of my paintings at the Community Art Gallery at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church.
I try to communicate the truths of God in my art. My art is abstract and I work in acrylics and multi-media. I love to create collages using papers of all kinds (maps are a favorite). I have even been known to use rusted-out garden edging and scraps from a wooden pallet in my art. I love using bold colors. You won’t see much beige in my pieces!
God has also blessed me with the opportunity to share my story and the spiritual lessons he is teaching me with several groups in Houston and Kingwood. I have upcoming speaking engagements in Denton and Las Vegas, NV.
Although I am not a “spring chicken” and a grandmother of four, I plan to continue my work until God says “STOP!” When I am not writing, painting or spoiling my grandkids, I participate in Bible study at my church. I am also active in a women’s organization that provides scholarships to women pursuing their education. My husband and I love to travel and have been to over fifty-five countries and all seven continents.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has not always been smooth. I often struggle with painting and writing. Like in other areas of my life, I think I know best and want to follow my own plans. I have learned that I need to listen to God in order to create what he wants me to create. I used to paint with music playing, but I have learned that I need silence so that I can listen for his plan for both my writing and painting.
If I were trying to make a living from this it would be a struggle, but fortunately, I don’t have the need to supplement our income.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I think what sets me apart from other Christian authors and artists is the combination of the two disciplines. When I was researching the possibility of being published, I found that the combination of abstract art and devotionals was unique.
I am also very much still a “baby” artist, having been painting for less than five years. Most creatives get started much earlier in life. My background was in business. I had a career in Employee Benefits Management working with corporations and as a consultant. I retired from BP America in 2010 without any clue that I would become an author or artist!
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is that I am faithful to God and his desires for my life. I also want to balance my work with my roles as wife, step-mom to three, mother-in-law to two, and grandmother to four.
Pricing:
- Becoming His Masterpiece – $19.99
Contact Info:
- Website: www.becominghismasterpiece.com
- Instagram: @sharoncollins923
- Facebook: @scBecomingHisMasterpiece
- Other: amazon.com/author/sharoncollins
Image Credits
Portrait – Julia McLaurin, Sytenka Studios, Houston, TX Book Cover photos – Rick Wells, Rick Wells Photography, Houston, TX Book Cover designs – Robin Black, Inspirio Designs
