Some of us were made to connect with God through more than words…
Are traditional spiritual practices leaving you wanting more?
We want to bring our full selves—body, mind, and spirit—into our walk with God.
What if art could be a prayer?
When we engage our creativity, we open up space to experience God in new ways.
Through simple watercolor painting, reflection, and contemplative practices like visio divina, you’ll begin to notice more—both on the page and in your soul.
The Creative Way invites you to grow spiritually and care for your soul through art, nature, and reflection.
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” - Jesus
Welcome to The Creative Way
A digital membership designed to help you:
Deepen your spiritual life through beauty and reflection.
Learn beginner-friendly watercolor techniques.
Learn to slow down and prayerfully engage with what you see. Instead of using words or Scripture alone, Visio Divina invites your eyes—and your heart—to notice and respond to what is before you, allowing it to become a space of encounter with God.
Follow a gentle monthly rhythm of creativity and soul care.
You don’t need to be an artist. You just need a willing heart.
Each month you will receive:
✨Monthly Themes
A meaningful theme will guide you through creating art and reflection on subjects like sunflowers, whales, or sheep.
You will receive downloadable and printable outlines, supply lists, step-sheets, and reference photos for each month.
🎨Watercolor Tutorial
A step-by-step watercolor tutorial is provided—no prior experience needed.
You will also receive a downloadable list with the supplies suggested for each watercolor painting.
🖼️ Visio Divina
Visio Divina is a centuries-old contemplative practice that invites you into prayer through gazing at paintings, both famous and relatively unknown. A video guiding you through a Visio Divina experience will be provided.
You will also receive the piece of art as a download, to print, if you’d like.
🌳Monthly Reflection
Each month includes a short written meditation that draws from nature, Scripture, art, history, and occasionally a bit of poetry—inviting you to slow down, notice, and meet God in gentle, creative ways.
Simple suggested practices help you carry the reflection into everyday life.
A peek inside…
Sunflowers
What can sunflowers teach us about hope and learning to follow?
Learn how to paint a single sunflower or a field full of them, step-by-step in watercolor.
Reflect on the legacy of Van Gogh’s bold sunflower paintings, and how his creative courage can inspire our own.
Palm Trees
What does it mean to truly flourish? Explore the strength and symbolism of palm trees.
Paint a date palm or a coconut.
Engage with the beauty of desert imagery through artists like Claude Monet or Lilias Trotter.
Bees & Honey
What wisdom does the natural world offer about sweetness, diligence, and sacred rhythms?
Learn to paint bees and explore honeycomb patterns.
Reflect on the significance of honey in Scripture and the decorative bee art of William Morris.
My work is the world. Here the sunflowers, there the hummingbird – equal seekers of sweetness. Here the quickening yeast; there the blue plums.
– Mary Oliver
Hi, I’m Gayla Irwin, your guide for The Creative Way
I’ve spent over 30 years in ministry, including time on staff with Young Life and more recently with a retreat and hospitality ministry in the Denver area. I’m a trained spiritual director and completed a program in Christian Formation and Soul Care at Denver Seminary, where I learned to walk alongside others in their spiritual journeys.
A few years ago, I went through a battle with cancer. I’m grateful to be doing well now—and that experience deepened my longing to create. It reminded me how healing beauty and creativity can be and increased my desire to help others experience it, too.
Practicing art during that time helped me reconnect with God in deeper ways—and it also supported my mental health. Painting became a space to slow down, breathe, process, and rediscover joy.
I’d be honored to walk with you as you explore how faith and art can meet in meaningful, restorative ways.
You’re invited.
Whether you’re just beginning your art journey or looking for a fresh, soul-centered spiritual rhythm, The Creative Way is a welcoming space to explore, reflect, and grow.
FAQs
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The doors will open 3 June 2025!
Enrollment will continue until Sunday, 8 June.
This launch is for founding members, who will help shape this expereince!
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Each month has a theme that will guide our explorations.
Via email, you will receive one watercolor video tutorial and accompanying PDFs (if you would rather get right to sketching!) related to the theme of the month.
You will also receive a Visio Divina video, guiding you through a piece of art, helping you to connect with God.
And you will get a guided reflection each month, kind of a deep dive into the theme of the month.
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A list of supplies will be included for each month. In general, you will need watercolor paint, watercolor paper, a few brushes, a pencil and eraser.
While I will mention the specific colors or brands of supplies that are featured in the lessons, you are free to use whatever brand/type you prefer.
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The Creative Way costs $27 per month for founding members, those who join during this open enrollment period.
The cost will go up for future enrollment periods.
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Super easy. If you find this membership is not for you, simply email me and I will cancel for you.