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The Newsletter of Eric Elder Ministries… with helpful ways to stay strong in your faith!

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  • “Imperfection Sells Art”
    by Eric Elder

    One of the most surprising things I learned during our REVEALING art show a few weeks ago was something my art coach, Joan Moody, had told me before:

    “Imperfection sells art.”

    I thought about that again when my friend Tracy Schultz brought in a piece of pottery for the show that had collapsed while she was making it (#33 in the picture below). Normally, she might have scrapped it, but instead she worked with it, reshaped it, glazed it, finished it, and brought it to the show anyway.

    And people noticed it.

    In fact, it became one of the pieces that drew the most interest.

    That struck me because I think we often assume people want perfection. We think they want the flawless painting, the flawless performance, the flawless story, the flawless life.

    But sometimes the uneven edge is what gives something character.

    Sometimes the crack tells the story.

    Sometimes the thing you almost threw away is the very thing someone else is most drawn to.

    I had a similar experience with one of my own paintings. I painted an apple pie for the cover of my new book, One Slice at a Time. The pie was off-center, and the slice was not where I would have put it if I were trying to paint the perfect still life. But it worked just right for the cover of my book. I honestly didn’t think anyone would buy the original.

    Someone bought it the first day, and several more said they wished they were first to buy it.

    That made me smile, but it also made me think about how much energy we spend trying to hide the imperfect parts of ourselves.

    We want people to see the finished painting, not the rough sketch underneath. We want them to hear the polished song, not the voice that shakes. We want them to hear the victory story, not the part where we fell apart.

    But Paul wrote:

    “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” ( 2 Corinthians 4:7)

    I love that picture.

    An earthen vessel is not a flawless crystal vase. It is a clay jar. It can have marks from the potter’s hands, uneven places, cracks, wear, and evidence that it has been used.

    And that is where God says He puts His treasure.

    Maybe God is not nearly as embarrassed by our imperfections as we are.

    Maybe He is not waiting for us to become flawless before He can use us.

    Maybe some of the places we most want to hide are the very places where His grace will be easiest to see.

    Paul said it another way:

    “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

    That does not mean we stop growing or stop doing our best. It means we do not have to wait until everything is perfect before we let ourselves be seen.

    That was one of my favorite things about the REVEALING art show. More than 20 artists shared over 150 pieces of art, and many of them said some version of the same thing:

    • “I’m not sure I’m really an artist.”
    • “I’ve never sold anything before.”
    • “I almost didn’t bring this one.”

    But they brought it anyway.

    People connected with the art. People bought pieces. People were encouraged. And the artists were encouraged too.

    So far, the show has raised $2,233 for our ministry, helping us continue sharing the hope of Jesus Christ with people around the world. I am deeply thankful for that, and there is still quite a bit of artwork available if you would like to take a look. Here’s the link. My goal if I sell everything from the show is to raise $10,000 to reach even more people with the HOPE of Christ.

    https://theranch.org/revealing

    But more than anything, I hope this encourages you to stop hiding your gift just because you can see your flaws.

    Write the book. Paint the painting. Sing the song. Tell the story. Take the risk.

    You may see the imperfection.

    Someone else may see the beauty.

    And God may see exactly what He can use.

    Imperfection sells art.

    And sometimes imperfection reveals grace.

    Here’s a 1-minute clip of me painting “One Slice at a Time,” and how it looks on the cover of the book.

    https://youtube.com/shorts/4njIrh2aPB4

    I’ll tell you more about the book itself next time, but for now, I pray your day is fantastic!

    Love,

    Eric Elder writes for page, stage & screen to glorify God’s name so Christ may be seen! Hit reply to send Eric a note! Use this link to subscribe or unsubscribe.

Previous Posts

  • “Imperfection Sells Art”

    One of the most surprising things I learned during our REVEALING art show a few weeks ago was something my art coach, Joan Moody, had told me before: “Imperfection sells art.” I thought about that again when my friend Tracy Schultz brought in a piece of pottery for the show that had collapsed while she…

    Read more: “Imperfection Sells Art”

  • Two of my Favorite Paintings

    A few months ago I had a dream. It was so vivid, I woke up and sketched out the image that was still in my head. A few weeks ago I painted what I saw. Here’s the painting, and a short time-lapse of me painting it. https://youtu.be/Z5RFrIYhgpo I was telling a friend about the image…

    Read more: Two of my Favorite Paintings

  • Art Show This Weekend! Online or In-Person

    I’m hosting an art show this weekend at my home, featuring my own art and the art of 21 other wonderful artists! As the paintings and pottery and creations have been arriving, I’ve been surrounded by inspiration! Everything is so beautiful. I’d love for you to see it—and NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE, YOU CAN!…

    Read more: Art Show This Weekend! Online or In-Person

  • Mark the date: September 18-20, 2026!

    Come to my farm or watch live online. You’ll be inspired! Click for more:https://theranch.org/revealing Love, Eric Elder writes for page, stage & screen to glorify God’s name so Christ may be seen! Hit reply to send him a note! Use this link to subscribe or unsubscribe.

    Read more: Mark the date: September 18-20, 2026!

  • It’s satisfying to know God is satisfied with you

    My son Bo said that to me this week while he was playing a song on the piano called At the Altar. The song talks about bringing everything to God—our burdens, broken dreams, victories, fears and anxieties—and laying them down before Him. One of the lines says: “Don’t make it perfect. Just let it be…

    Read more: It’s satisfying to know God is satisfied with you

  • Everything’s changing, but it’s going to be okay

    Bo and I posted a new video on my YouTube channel… about feeling overwhelmed by all the technological changes around us. Yet with all the changes, there’s a way to ride the wave instead of letting it pull you under! Bo’s been writing a song about feeling overwhelmed… yet trusting God with it all. He…

    Read more: Everything’s changing, but it’s going to be okay

  • Artist Submission Process for Eric’s Art Show 2026

    Thanks for wanting to participate in my art show this fall! The show will be held the weekend of September 18-20 at my farmhouse in Chenoa. It will be an “open house” style art show where people can come and go as they’d like, or come for the whole weekend. Here’s the schedule and the…

    Read more: Artist Submission Process for Eric’s Art Show 2026

  • The $20 that turned into $2,525

    I’m trying to raise significant funding over the next three years for several ministry projects. When I think about the size of the need, I can get overwhelmed. But then I remember what happened two months ago on my trip to India… I was surrounded by great needs, and I met wonderful people doing wonderful…

    Read more: The $20 that turned into $2,525

  • And then I heard…the CRASH!

    I’ve just released a new piano song called Waving Through a Window from the Tony Award-winning musical Dear Evan Hansen. You can listen here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqovCD0dugo But what I really want to talk about today isn’t just the song, but the story behind my finally finishing it. You can read the story below or watch the podcast at this…

    Read more: And then I heard…the CRASH!

  • “REVEALING” – An Inspirational Art Show by Eric Elder & Friends

    Join me in September for a one-of-a-kind open-house inspirational art show! Over the weekend of September 18-20, 2026, I’ll be sharing my art, plus the art of my wonderful creative friends, in an open-house, inspirational format. Come and go as you’d like, or join us for all three days! Throughout the weekend, you’ll hear from…

    Read more: “REVEALING” – An Inspirational Art Show by Eric Elder & Friends

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