https://www.carrieschmittdesign.com In this deeply moving episode, we journey with Esther Franchuk as she shares how art has been both a sanctuary and a prophecy in times of personal and national upheaval. From navigating the unknown through abstract painting to finding purpose in returning to her homeland, Ukraine, during wartime, Esther’s story is one of faith, resilience, and the undeniable power of creative vision.

We discuss:

• Art as a mirror of life—how shifting from structure to abstraction reflected Esther’s own uncertainties.
• Trusting the process—allowing creativity to unfold without control.
• The prophetic nature of art—how paintings often reveal what the artist doesn’t yet understand.
• Returning to Ukraine—why Esther chose to move back during the war and how it shaped her artistic purpose.
• Artists as cultural guardians—how creativity preserves identity and why it is often the first thing attacked in times of conflict.
• The biblical story of Queen Esther—why the question “If not for this time you became a queen, then for what?”fuels her sense of calling.
• Supporting Ukrainian orphans—how Esther’s new collection will help fund foster-style homes for children in need.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

• Have you ever experienced a moment where a stranger or unexpected experience gave you exactly the message you needed?

• Your Esther Moment: Where in your life are you being called to step forward in courage? What would it look like to trust that you are here for such a time as this?

Fore more questions, visit carrieschmittdesign.com

Send me your answers HERE or leave me a voice message HERE.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Join Carrie on April 6th for a live ZOOM discussion to dive deeper into the themes from this month's episodes. SIGN UP HERE.

CONNECT WITH ESTHER:

https://www.estherfranchuk.com

Support Blossom Cottage Orphanage HERE.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esther_franchuk

CONNECT WITH CARRIE

Instagram: @carrieschmitt

Facebook: Carrie Schmitt Art and Design

Website: carrieschmittdesign.com

Online class: carrieschmittdesign.com/flower-painting-club/

DONATE to help cover production costs HERE.

If this episode resonated with you, please leave a review and share it with a fellow creative spirit!

Step into this sacred place and allow the ocean, golden light, and gentle music to guide you into a state of renewal and bliss. Whether you listen before creating or as a ritual before sleep, may this fill you with wonder, connection, and possibility.

Be sure to listen to Episode 2, What If We Loved Our Creativity?, where Carrie shares the personal reflections that inspired this imaginative journey.

LISTEN TO EPISODE 2 HERE.

CONNECT WITH CARRIE

Take a tour of Carrie's home that inspired this episode: https://www.carrieschmittdesign.com/home-tour/

Attend a live discussion circle in April with Carrie: https://www.carrieschmittdesign.com/podcast-party/

Instagram: @carrieschmitt

Facebook: Carrie Schmitt Art and Design

Website: carrieschmittdesign.com

Keywords: Guided Visualization, Creativity, Spirituality, Sacred Space, Artistic Inspiration, Meditation, Creative Ritual, Mindfulness, Soulful Living, Inner Temple

https://carrieschmittdesign.com - Listen to artist Carrie Schmitt's journey from illness and despair to discovering Creativity as a sacred force that saved her life.

Step into Carrie's whimsical home— her House of Miracles—where she nurtures her Creative Spirit daily. She explores the power of surrender, trust, and play in the artistic process, and how miracles unfold when we embrace Creativity fully.

Join Carrie as she sets the foundation for future episodes, where guests will share their own creative sanctuaries and wisdom.

WE EXPLORE:

• How illness and surrender awakened Carrie’s creative spirit
• The story of House of Miracles—a home designed as a temple to art
• Why Creativity is not about being “good” or “bad”—but about relationship
• The miracle of collective creative energy during her Goddess Retreat
• Overcoming the fear of the unknown and learning to trust creative whispers
• Rebelling against self-doubt and embracing artistic freedom
•  The role of ritual, music, and movement in creative expression
• How community and co-creation amplify creative energy
• A guided visualization to awaken your creative spirit

A RELAXING GIFT FOR YOU:

At the end of each episode, Carrie offers a soothing guided journey inspired by the conversation. In this episode, she transports you to your own Temple of Creativity—a glowing sanctuary by the sea, where music, sacred rituals, and the rhythmic embrace of the ocean awaken your artistic spirit.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION:

*What is one way your home nurtures your Creative Spirit?

*If you built a home for your soul, what would you name it?

*What did this episode awaken in you?

For more questions CLICK HERE.

Share your reflections on social media and tag @carrieschmitt

TOUR HOUSE OF MIRACLES

Peek inside Carrie's home: https://www.carrieschmittdesign.com/home-tour/

JOIN THE CIRCLE

Join Carrie on April 6th for a live ZOOM discussion to dive deeper into the themes from this month's episodes. SIGN UP HERE.

CONNECT WITH CARRIE

Instagram: @carrieschmitt

Facebook: Carrie Schmitt Art and Design

Website: carrieschmittdesign.com

Online class: carrieschmittdesign.com/flower-painting-club/

DONATE to help cover production costs HERE.

🎶 Music by: Priscilla Jaeger

💖 If this episode resonated with you, please leave a review and share it with a fellow creative spirit!

Welcome to Awakening Creativity, a podcast that takes you into the sacred sanctuaries of artists, visionaries, and makers. This is a space where art, spirit, and Creativity intertwine, and where we explore the deeper layers of the creative process.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

• Intimate conversations with creatives who have devoted their lives to artistic expression
• A glimpse into their rituals, inspirations, and transformative moments
• Stories of divine inspiration, obstacles turned into wisdom, and the blessings of art
• A guided visualization to delight your Creative Spirit based on the conversation

Subscribe now to Awakening Creativity on your favorite podcast platform. Let’s create something sacred together.

CONNECT WITH CARRIE

Website: https://www.carrieschmittdesign.com

Instagram: @carrieschmitt

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Sign up for the LIVE monthly gathering on April 6th at 4pm PST /7pm EST here: https://www.carrieschmittdesign.com/podcast/

#Creativity #ArtisticInspiration #SacredCreativity #CreativeSpirit #AwakeningCreativity #PodcastLaunch