Meet Rebecca Deese

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rebecca Deese. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Rebecca, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

This has been a long-awaited answer for me. I longed for purpose for years. Growing up, you are constantly asked what you want to do with your life. I never thought art was a very practical career choice, even though it was a clearly defined talent I had. Learning about different artists in art history class didn’t make the path seem very glamorous either. So I searched for years for something that would give me that sense of purpose we all long for.

At first, I thought my purpose would be found solely in a job, so I chose to pursue a career as a preschool teacher. I loved kids; however, it left me feeling empty, and I never finished that degree. I then moved on to having my own children and found a great deal of purpose in being a stay-at-home mom for a while. As they got older and didn’t need me as much, I began to long for a purpose outside of being a wife and a mother.

I had been doing art as a hobby for a long time and often posted my graphite portraits to Facebook. My church was impressed with my skills and asked if I could paint a large backdrop for a Grinch-themed event for foster kids. After completing that piece, it reignited the fire for art that I had in high school. I decided to take my art more seriously than just a hobby. Over the last few years, I have been able to develop it into a freelance career that supports who I am, what I love, and a mission I am passionate about.

Being an artist isn’t just my profession; it’s core to my identity. I’ve been creating since I could hold a crayon. It’s not something I can just turn off. Creating is how I process emotions, regulate stress, and regain clarity in life. When I’m doing meaningful, high-quality work, it sustains me rather than drains me. Creating gives me purpose.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Fiery Pillar Art is centered on creating art to bring glory to God. I owe where I am today to the Lord who brought me here. We paint murals, create fine art, and produce commissioned paintings of people, animals, and landscapes. Our work spans many surfaces and mediums—paper, canvas, walls, and entire buildings. We also create digital art and engage in a variety of creative craft projects, such as making ornaments or stickers. Recently, the focus has been on murals, including projects for poolside spaces and church environments, where art can enhance both beauty and community.

What excites me most about our art is its versatility and reach. I realized on a mission trip to Japan a few months ago that art is the universal language. Even though I didn’t speak Japanese, I was able to connect with people through art and drawing. Not only that, but art has the ability to transform spaces and connect people emotionally, whether it’s a large-scale mural in a public place or an intimate portrait created for a family. When you finally unveil an art piece for someone, the joy on their face reminds you why creating art is important, especially during a time when AI art is taking over.

Some of my most meaningful and passion-driven projects have been connected to how I have been able to use my art for God’s glory. My business is grounded in this quote from Michaelangelo, “I believe that I have been designated for this work by God.” I have done multiple different artworks for churches, including several murals and a freestanding lighthouse model. Though, at the top of my list are paintings I made while doing mission work in Japan. While visiting missionaries and pastors, we had the opportunity to create several paintings for Itayanagi Church in Aomori Prefecture. I created a new sign for their billboard by the road that combined their Christian faith with their Japanese heritage. Being able to combine art with faith and service—using creativity to support ministry and encourage communities—has been especially fulfilling and continues to shape the direction of our work.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three qualities that have most shaped my journey are faith, endurance, and creativity.

Faith, because the path forward is rarely clear. Often, all that is given is the next step. In those moments, I place my trust in God and move forward believing He will guide me where I am meant to go. Looking back, I remember thinking “Are you sure this is the way to go? This doesn’t make sense”. Yet when I reflect, it did make sense in the end.

Endurance, because the journey itself is demanding. Pursuing a calling requires sacrifice, patience, and a willingness to persist through long, tedious days—many of which have little to do with the craft itself, yet are essential all the same. When you don’t have a project or you have a creative block, it is important to keep going anyway. Not with forcing an idea, because we all know when certain art is a creative exploration of an idea versus a quick cash grab. Rather, by always honing your skill. Always moving forward.

Creativity, because it lies at the heart of being an artist. Although, it’s not only the heart of being an artist, but being human. We have a God that is incredibly creative: just look at the world around you and you will see an artist behind it. I think we all have some creativity in us because we are made in the image of God. It is just a matter of how much we fostered and nurtured that creativity. Creativity is all about our experiences. If you want more creativity, you have to read more, explore more, listen more, and learn more. Keeping your mind alive and active is the key to creativity.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

Throughout my life, many people have been helpful in this journey. Looking back, it almost seems like God was screaming from the rooftops that I was supposed to be an artist because my life was geared in that direction since I was young. I went to art-focused schools (Magnet Schools) from elementary to high school. These schools and all the amazing art teachers I had over the years were obviously instrumental in developing my art skills and shaping my talent.

My family was always so supportive of my prospective art career. I would dwell on what I wanted my career to be, what I wanted to do with my life. All of them, from mom to aunts, to grandmas, all said the same thing: you should do something with art. Even my very practical dad wanted me to do art. I always thought it would be too hard to break into a competitive and unstable career like art, but they helped give me the confidence to realize that I could do it.

The most helpful to my journey goes to my husband, who, without him, none of this would be possible. My husband and I together form Fiery Pillar Art. As a creative artist, my natural tendency is toward exploration, intuition, and sometimes chaos- following ideas wherever they lead. My husband, who comes from a military background, brings structure, order, and intentionality into our business. Being partnered with someone who values discipline and consistency is integral in having a successful business. I wouldn’t be nearly as productive without him on my team. His influence has taught me how structure can actually support creativity rather than limit it, and that balance has been essential to my growth both personally and professionally.

There are simply not enough hours in the day—or strength in one body—to bear all the demands of this work alone. I am deeply grateful that he has so much passion for my art that he has not only supported me but sacrificed so much to make this successful. As Scripture says, “the two shall become one flesh”: one heart, one mind, and one shared purpose.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fiery_pillar_art/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565906534668