Awakening Creativity: How Watercolor Art Builds Faith
Awakening Creativity: How Watercolor Art Builds Faith – Rising Phoenix Spotlight – Me Ra Koh
When I asked Christa Dawn what it’s like to be painting in her studio and then look up and see her true self, her answer brought me to tears!
Awakening Creativity: How Watercolor Art Builds Faith – Rising Phoenix Spotlight – Me Ra Koh
When I asked Christa Dawn what it’s like to be painting in her studio and then look up and see her true self, her answer brought me to tears!
“Oh my goodness, Me Ra, this experience has been life-changing.
I remember seeing my portrait for the first time and crying… Realizing in that moment that I wasn’t anything like I had always believed myself to be.
I found myself whispering to her… ‘I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry I was ever mean to you. You’re beautiful. And I would absolutely be your friend.’
Immediately following the Rising Phoenix Experience, God showed me that not only is it OK to be both wise & playful, soft & fun, quiet & also full of life… But that it is more than OK. It is an expression of the way He made me, a light to the world that needs to see His glory, and a reminder that in Him I live & move & have my very being (Acts 17:28).
I talk to myself in the mirror now. Where I used to get in and get out as quickly as possible.
Afraid to see the person I thought I was.
Harsh.
Annoying.
Unattractive.
Not enough
Too much
Frustrating to know.
Now I see myself differently…
I See Soft
Pretty
Approachable.
Playful
Wise
Compassionate And a good listener.
I see Jesus in my eyes.
And I’m overwhelmed by how anointed this experience has been.
Not only to show me who I am and how I was created, But to also ignite in me an excitement to live out this adventure that God has had for me all along.”
Heart Lessons from Watercolor
Christa was asked to paint quail…yes, QUAIL…for the 25th Anniversary of Quail Forever conservation. Every color comes from the rocks in their habitat. She grinds the rocks, studies their behavior, and talks to scientists. And then she creates this…
Absolutely breathtaking!
During our Rising Phoenix Discovery Call, she shared the different ways watercolor has transformed her very being;
Patience
“Patience is rising in me,” she said during our call. “Watercolor takes extreme patience. It’s not nervous or anxious – opposite of me. I’ve learned not to be angry with myself.”
She recalls painting her mother-in-law’s hands during a fleeting moment of clarity in the midst of dementia: “It had flaws. I made mistakes, but it still worked. Still, I painted hands—one of my favorites, even though I’m not a realism artist myself. I was able to let go. Let God. Because God and I are just talking about the story.”
Her art reminds us of that awakening creativity means letting go of perfection and finding peace in the process.
Courage
“Courage to do it at 50! To tell my kids I need a couple days a week—that is huge! (She loves watching her grandkids.) It’s okay for me to spend time with God. He wants me to do this, not just lets me.”
This courage is not only about creating—it’s about claiming space for herself and her calling.
Listening
“I love to talk but have become a really good listener. I cannot paint unless I hear your story.”
From scientists to quail habitats, she listens deeply.
Together, patience, courage, and listening form the foundation of Christa’s creative journey. They shape not only how she paints but also how she lives—teaching her to trust the process, embrace her calling, and truly hear the stories that inspire her work. Through these qualities, she continues finding faith and creativity through watercolor art in every brushstroke.
The Face of Her Becoming
Seven days before her birthday, Christa faced a powerful moment of reflection. Each year, she considers what she is rising into, what new qualities are growing within her, and what God is calling her to. It is in these reflective times that she leans most on faith and art as her guide.
