Painting with 70+ artists at David’s Tent 2019 #DT19UK

Last weekend I had the treat of attending my 5th year of David’s Tent worship festival. There were over 70 artists - young and old, professionals and newbies, with a breadth of style and medium all gathered in a big blue tent in the middle of a field, in Wiston Estate West Sussex, to creatively praise their Maker.

What is David's Tent?

David’s Tent is a 72 hour non-stop worship event where people gather from all around the world, across different denominations and church expressions to worship Jesus. Worship starts at 2pm on the Friday and continues until 2pm Monday, people come and go as they wish.

Art at David's Tent

The Art Team and art space has been led for 8 years now by the wonderful Linette Penney-Gainham and her husband Keith, and grows year on year. There is a team of artists who serve at the event leading workshops and creating individual prophetic art for delegates in the prophetic art tent, as well as painting during the worship.
But the arts area in the big top is available for anyone to paint or create in their own way, whether they are professional artists or just wanting to have their first try at something. I served on the art team for 3 years but have taken a break these last 2 years to focus purely on painting and giving some unofficial support to those around me.

Here’s a little video showcasing the variety of art created this year.

This was where my journey began

I consider this festival my birthplace as an artist - 5 years ago I arrived, never having painted on a canvas before with lots of fear, lots of hang ups and lots of enthusiasm. Now I’m a professional, full time artist, leading workshops, exhibiting in galleries and painting prophetic art at conferences in front of thousands - God's breathed life into the little I brought to the table those years ago!
It’s only been 5 years, I’m really only just getting started and still have a LOT to learn, but when we dare to make ourselves vulnerable, and step into what God has designed us to do, in a safe place like DT, within the care of people like Linette, then God causes fruit to grow. David's Tent was the good soil that nurtured and nourished my little seed as it started on it's journey.

A uniquely encouraging creative environment

I find David’s Tent a uniquely encouraging creative environment and worshipful atmosphere where I can experiment and step beyond the norm. Whether that shows itself in expressive dance, massive floor paintings or, like this year, a combination of the two!

An army of artists arising

Often, in real life (outside of social media), we may come across just 1 or 2 prophetic artists (if that) and sometimes we can feel quite alone in it all. The life of a professional artist can be quite an isolated one. I hope that me sharing my experiences at DT will bring you some encouragement and bless you - this is real, an army of artists is rising up to bring glory to God, this is happening, God is on the move!