Advent invites us into a season of waiting, a journey of heart and spirit that goes beyond counting down to Christmas. Rooted in the powerful themes of hope, peace, joy, and love, Advent encourages us to pause and prepare for the coming of Christ. Through weekly candle-lighting and reflection, we are reminded that even in darkness, light and hope grow stronger. In this post, discover ways to deepen your Advent journey through prayer, scripture, and communal traditions. And as a special closing, enjoy a peaceful haiku crafted to capture the beauty of anticipation.

This Advent season, discover meaningful ways to prepare for Christmas with my selection of both new and favorite devotional resources. From Encountering Emmanuel by Heather Khym, which invites us to pause and experience God’s presence, to Light From Afar, an international Advent devotional by Upper Room Books, these resources offer fresh perspectives and global reflections. I’m also returning to cherished art devotionals like Biola University’s Advent Project and The Visual Commentary on Scripture from King’s College London. These selections blend art, scripture, and daily inspiration, creating a rich, reflective experience ideal for deepening your Advent journey. Explore these resources on the Carrot Top Studio blog to embrace the themes of hope, peace, and joy in meaningful, visual ways this season.

In this blog post, I want to take you on a journey into the fascinating world of surface design and share what it’s like to license art. For those who might not be familiar, the surface design industry encompasses the creation of patterns, illustrations, and graphics that adorn everyday items—from fabrics and wallpapers to stationery and home decor. It’s an industry where art meets functionality, turning ordinary objects into extraordinary pieces through beautiful designs.

Welcome to Carrot Top Studio, where art and faith intertwine to create captivating narratives and timeless treasures. Join us on a virtual tour of our creative sanctuary, where every stroke of the brush and stitch of the needle is infused with passion, purpose, and a deep reverence for the sacred.

In the ever-evolving landscape of worship, the integration of visual elements has become increasingly vital. As we seek to engage congregations on a deeper level, the use of public-domain art presents a wealth of opportunities to enrich our worship experiences. This blog post shares some examples of art suitable for Lent.

At Carrot Top Studio, our core values are not just guiding principles—they are the heartbeat of our artistic endeavor. We embrace the transformative potential of art, celebrate diversity, purposefully adorn and inspire, connect through storytelling, and strive to empower minds and spark change. Learn more in this blog post.

In the spirit of community and connection, I am grateful for the opportunity to leverage the strength of relationships within the Carrot Top Studio family in this blog post.

In the quiet corners of every business, there exists a transformative blend of strategy and intuition. At Carrot Top Studio, this delicate balance has always been paramount, but in this season, we stand on the threshold of an even more remarkable transformation. The results of our recent client surveys have poured light into these corners, unveiling insights that promise to guide us toward an elevated standard of client care and artistic excellence. This blog post shares some of the data!

Imagine a stole that tells your unique story, a vibrant tapestry for your ministry. That's the brilliance of a custom stole from Carrot Top Studio. This blog post by artist Jenny Gallo tells the story of one commissioned stole.

Reportedly people remember 10% of what they hear, 20% of what they read, and 80% of what they see and do. How are you including the visual in worship?

Hiking in the mountains of Colorado causes a bit of reflection about worship.

Learn how this sticker came to be! The message of hope with the cheery flowers are sure to brighten your day.

A behind the scenes look at the creation of the “To the Mountains” art collection by Jenny Gallo of Carrot Top Studio. These framed, original pieces of art evoke wonderful feelings of beauty, peace and the joy of being in the mountains.

Commissioned stoles are such an honor to create for clergy, chaplains and wedding officiants! There is most often a wonderful story behind these projects. Read how these stoles came to be and discover the meaning of their symbols.

2022 calendar to download and print from artist Jenny Gallo @Carrot Top Studio