This 3-part series with Dan has been one of my favorites for his “WOW” factor!! He has been taking authority from Father’s Kingdom to bring His will on earth as it is in heaven for decades…in a totally unique way.  Dan is the ultimate "Kingdom Renaissance Man." He's a painter, sculptor, musician (playing 52 instruments!), and prophet—all while painting with both hands. Talk about a heavenly level of multitasking!
I’ve met a lot of “prophetic” painters and creatives, but Dan definitely takes the cake! His “ministry” to the capitol city of North Carolina is second to none. You will love this series!  Be sure to check out his websites and YouTube channel to see his art and him in action. It’s fabulous!!


BIO:
“I failed the very first assignment of my academic career…”

On DAY ONE of kindergarten I colored the balloons instead of counting them.The artistic itch was already that strong. Undaunted by such inauspicious beginnings, I went on to win a string of prestigious awards:

• 2nd Place, National Safety Poster Contest!
• 3rd Place, Local Pumpkin Carving Contest!
• 1st Place, Small Town Window Painting Competition (against a bunch of kids roughly half my age, as it turned out.)

Naturally, such accolades kept the itch going, so I went on to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from a small college in the Midwest. My real education, however, took place during the 15 or 20 years when I sat at my desk 50 or 60 hours a week drawing whatever the telephone (ad agencies, mostly) told me to draw.

Most Americans would have stumbled upon my work at sometime during the 80's or 90's-- in restaurants and sporting goods stores, at summer camps and public libraries, from IBM to hospitals and book covers to billboards. "I'm really famous," I used to tell my kids, "just nobody knows it."

Three forces conspired to make me the artist that I am today:1) The joy of creating,2) Clients with deadlines,3) The threat of starvation.

I now spend most of my time as a “Fine Artist”— which essentially means you don’t get paid for your work. (Until it sells.) I paint cityscapes a lot; I paint my hometown a lot. (Raleigh, North Carolina, USA)  I nearly always paint with an audience, live or on my Youtube Channel. I love painting weddings and fundraising events and engaging with the crowd…they’re just drawn to my show! 

HIGHLIGHTS:

1. Governing Over a City
   Dan isn’t just an artist; he’s spent over 27 years prophetically governing Raleigh, North Carolina, through his gifts. His work isn’t limited to a canvas—it flows into city-wide transformation and speaks into events, lives, and spiritual atmospheres.
2. Breaking Out of Churchianity
   Dan's journey from traditional "churchianity" to a deeper understanding of walking in the Spirit is a game-changer. His realization that pastoring isn't the pinnacle of serving God revolutionized his life and allowed him to embrace his artistic and prophetic calling.
3. Holy Spirit Activation
   "Once I got the memo that God still talked, I said, 'By golly, I'm going to listen.'"  Dan describes his baptism of the Holy Spirit as a life-altering, "violent, bloody, and effective" encounter. He let go of his reliance on intellect and embraced the supernatural, marking a shift into hearing God clearly and journaling divine downloads—literally while running marathons!
4. Theology of Cities
   One of Dan’s revelations is about the spiritual significance of cities. God began speaking to him about the theology of a city and how it ties into biblical principles like the Sermon on the Mount. This insight lays the groundwork for understanding how we can spiritually steward and impact urban environments.
5. Pastor the City, Not Just the Pulpit
   "If you have a heart for your city, get out from behind your pulpit and go to where the heart of the city is." Translation: True transformation happens when spiritual leaders engage directly with their communities and cultural epicenters—think apostolic strategy, not just pastoral care.
6. Run the Streets, Hear the Spirit
   "You learn things on foot... you sense spirits you can't in a car."
   Pro-tip for prophetic creatives: slow down, embrace the physical journey, and let God download revelations about your environment. (Bonus: Roll down the windows for spiritual drive-bys!)
7. Burn the Old to Birth the New
   "Shut down your church and worship Me in the square."
   Sometimes, radical obedience means dismantling old structures to pioneer new ways of bringing heaven to earth. The risk? High. The payoff? Transformative, Holy-Spirit-led movements that redefine "church."
8. Art as a Kingdom Catalyst
   "I built an 8x10-foot canvas on wheels, complete with sound and lights."
   Marketplace ministry isn't just about preaching—it's creating art, tools, and environments that amplify the Kingdom message in creative, unforgettable ways.
9. Holy Ghost Smackdowns Build Legacy
   "We worshiped every Saturday, rain or shine, and the presence of God was so thick we couldn't quit."
   Consistency + obedience = supernatural impact. Whether it's art, business, or ministry, showing up faithfully opens the floodgates for divine encounters and cultural transformation.
10. Breaking Through the Spirit of "No"
    Dan’s journey highlights the power of persistence and divine direction. The "spirit of no" had a stranglehold on the city, but he persisted in faith to reclaim and transform the space. Marketplace ministry takeaway? Be bold and willing to break through opposition, because God’s plans always come with provision and purpose.
11. Sound, Light, and the Supernatural
    Dan’s unique combination of painting, music, and spiritual authority demonstrates how creativity can shift atmospheres. His layering of sound and light—paired with Holy Spirit anointing—shows that the arts are more than just self-expression; they’re tools for transformation in spiritual and physical realms.
12. Prophetic Rebuilding of a City
    The literal tearing down and rebuilding of the city’s center aligns with prophetic dreams Dan received. This is a vivid reminder that God moves in both the seen and unseen, using marketplace leaders and creative visionaries to birth renewal and revival—even in urban planning!
13. Playing for Heaven’s Audience
    "I’m not even playing for you. You keep walking. I’m playing for God, angels, and demons."  Dan’s commitment to play and paint for God, rather than people is a beautiful picture of pure ministry. He wasn’t seeking applause or approval but focused on releasing heaven’s sound and creativity. A powerful example of marketplace ministry done for an eternal purpose, not fleeting recognition.
14. From Street Ministry to Fine Arts Legacy
    Transitioning from a public street setup to becoming a celebrated fine artist shows how God elevates faithfulness. By following divine assignments through different seasons, Dan moved into a place of influence and impact in the fine arts world—demonstrating that marketplace ministry thrives in all industries when led by the Spirit.

LINKS for DAN:
- Dan’s Website: https://dannelsonart.com/
- YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@dantheartman?si=3WXMId62lss4JSwt
- Literally the World’s Best Wedding Painter: http://Weddingpainter.com

LINKS for BRALYNN:
- Coaching for Business and for Healing: http://SpiritCenteredBusiness.com
- Get Bralynn’s Book! Discover Your Business Destiny: Co-Creating, Stewarding and Standing to Manifest God’s Divine Plan http://SpiritCenteredBusiness.com/book

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