revelatorART

revelatorART has moved: NEW WEBSITE LOCATION

2019-05-15T21:32:00.004-06:00

www.revelatorart.wixsite.com/revelatorart

I HAVE A NEW WEBSITE LOCATION FOR MY revelatorART BUSINESS. IT IS NOW LOCATED at WIX.COM

I am making the WIX.com site my primary revelatorART business site and am in process of updating my current business cards, brochures, and electronic communications with the WIX.com site address and information.

Please make note of the switch over to the WIX.com site if you are desiring to keep updated on new paintings and work of mine, along with events I will be at and upcoming plans.

I will keep this BLOGGER site open until further notice because I've had it for years and it's been on all my business cards and brochures and electronic communications, and much of my clientele have been used to coming to this site. But the WIX.com site will be my primary site.

The new WIX.com site allows for more of a stream-lined look and tab system, easier interaction with my painting gallery and allows for a quick contact email form. With time, I will be working on the possibility of on-line commission contracts and even on-line payments. For now...go check it out!

THE NEW WEBSITE ADDRESS IS:

www.revelatorart.wixsite.com/revelatorart

The Evolution and Progression of Permanent Sanctuary Art

2019-03-18T20:35:00.000-06:00

Recently I was given the opportunity to create a piece of art to display permanently in the sanctuary space of the building that Ke Aha Vineyard Church rents to meet in. I took a couple of months to pray about imagery and what I might create, being intentional to listen in on the conversation that God is having with the people of Ke Aha and being mindful of what kind of message would come forth from the painting.

I didn't know exactly what size of canvas I would use to paint on. But when I came upon a 3ftx3ft canvas at a local charity thrift shop for a very reasonable price I quickly decided that would be the size. The canvas had an aerial view landscape photograph printed on it. I needed to prime over the top of it so I could start fresh, but decided to utilize the topographical lines from the rivers in the photograph as part of the abstract painting I would create. I then began the lengthy layering process of mixed media and texturing using acrylic paints, charcoal, graphite, chalk pastels, gel ink pens, paper, ink, and water, rags, paper towels, brushes, palette knives, faux painting tools, and matte medium. This took the majority of two days to complete, working hours at a time.

Here are photos of some of that evolution and progression....

Once I was finished with the painting I wrote and printed an artist statement and was able to take it in to be placed on the easel in the sanctuary space of the building.

Here is the Painting that is on permanent display:

keia mea i ke ala o ke aloha

(Hawaiian for This Is The Way Of Love)

c. 2019 Lisa Marten

3ftx3ft mixed media abstract expressionist painting

on gallery wrapped box canvas

Painted for Ke Aha Vineyard Church, Maui, Hawaii

In the midst of all the beautiful mess of life, we are meant for relationship (with each other and with our Creator). It's worth the intentional time taken to listen to the heartbeat of the conversation that God is having with each of us, and to enter into that conversation in real and authentic ways. We get to be in each other's lives...in the good and the hard places...and that is a privilege and gift given by God.

Art with Heart: a night of encouragement through the arts

2018-12-30T15:08:00.002-07:00

I was able to be a part of a creative event here on Maui bringing several local visual artists, musicians and live painters together to be featured for a night of meaningful artistic expression, creative collaboration, and connecting conversations.

It was held at Made In Hope Cafe in Wailuku, Hawaii on Maui.

I want to thank the owners of Made In Hope and all those who work there and helped make this even possible. And a big shout out and thank you to Danielle for being such a great event coordinator! It was truly a fun experience to be a part of.

I love creative collaboration!

One of my favorite things is when artists are gathered together to inspire each other and others through creativity.

Local artists (including myself) displayed their visual art throughout the cafe. For some of the artists, this was their first time getting to show their work in public.

Opening up the night was singer/songwriter Gabe Shaible and live painter Sarah Shannon. This was their first time collaborating like this together. They were really fun to experience.

Sarah Shannon created this stunning heart piece to Gabe's music. Sarah is the Artist in Residence at the Made in Hope Cafe and is currently working on a large mural that she has designed on a wall in the parking lot.

Gabe Shaible sang to us songs she had written and helped set the welcoming atmosphere and tone for the night.

As the night moved on more and more people came to enjoy the event (the first of it's kind at Made in Hope Cafe) entering into conversations and connecting in community. The energy was so fun.

People found themselves standing, sitting at tables, sitting on the floor and engaging with the artistic experience of the evening.

photo credit: Sonny Waiau

Next up was the live music of singer/songwriter Isabeau Waiau Walker. Isabeau lives in the Portland, Oregon area but is a Maui native and was home for the holidays. Isabeau played all her own songs and has a style that incorporates storytelling and audience interaction.

Here is her YouTube Channel: Isabeau Waia'u Walker

Here is her Patreon Site: Isabeau

Here is her SoundCloud Page: isabeau-waiau-walker

Here is her CD Baby Page: IsabeauWaiauWalker

photo credit: Sonny Waiau

I painted live to Isabeau Waiau Walkers music (it was the first time we had collaborated like this) and it was such a fun experience. I think we were all caught up in the moment and the set went by so fast.

photo credit: Lorie Yanuaria

I have traveled to Maui several times over the last 5 years painting live each time. And I moved here to Maui a few months ago and have painted live many times already...but this was my first experience painting live in a venue outside of a church here on Maui...and it was a blast!

photo credit: Sonny Waiau

The night was such a fun experience gathering artists and art lovers together for a night of Art with Heart.

The evening was closed out with some original spoken word given by poet Zander Chasen.

photo credit: Shelley Waiau

pu'uwai ho'ola kahuna

(hawaiian for Heart Healer)

c. 2018 Lisa Marten

18x24 mixed media on unstretched canvas

painted live at Made In Hope Cafe

Wailuku, Hawaii

This painting was created to the live music of singer/songwriter Isabeau Waiau Walker. It is about surrendering to the process of healing the deep woundings we may have experienced throughout life. That process looks different for all of us, as each of our heart journey's look different from each others. But ultimately the process is a surrendering to the One who brings the healing. It's letting it be an exploration, a conversation, a collaboration, a partnership of risk and trust that can lead us on a new path bringing restoration and life to the dead places, the woundings, the brokenness, the hurt, the pain, and the blockages. That surrendering isn't easy...but it can bring healing.

Maker Surfboards Maui: a creative collaboration

2018-11-29T16:31:00.000-07:00

While I'm here on Maui I'm getting to know a couple of artists that not only create works of art in the surfboards they make, they're all about relationship and collaboration in how they make the boards and in how they live their lives.

Meet husband and wife team Joey and Tiana Mattos of Kihei, Hawaii on the island of Maui...owners and artists at Maker Surfboards www.makersurfboards.com, working together to build a foundation of love, respect, and light in every surfboard they make.

For surfers, boards are not just the piece of foam they ride on the waves, boards become an extension of their own bodies to take them places they've only dreamed of. Joey and Tiana (native to Maui and surfers themselves) spend time with their customers getting to know them and learning about them in order to be able to create the kind of boards that will work best for them out on the waves and will also look and feel good to their customers that they can feel a part of as they surf. It really is about both function and about style.

I had the honor of getting to experience part of their creative process as they invited me into their side by side shops to watch them work.

Joey is a Shaper. This is his side of the shop. He takes the generic foam molds and shapes them, customizing their specifications for each customer (taking into considerations the height and size of the person, what the person wants to be able to do with the board, i.e. if it's a long board or a short board, etc.)

Tiana is a Glasser. This is her side of the shop. Glassing is the process of applying fiberglass cloth and resin to seal the board with protection for the water. It's also the process of adding color and design to make the board unique to the customers specifications.

SHAPING

Joey uses a number of tools to sand and shape the chunky foam mold into a streamlined surface. I can tell that Joey's precision with measurements and even the slightest touch of sanding has come from years of experience knowing what it feels like for a body to extend to a board and to aerodynamically ride through and over water together. He's a master sculptor forming and shaping that foam.

GLASSING

Tiana hand mixes colors from a limited palette available in the industry, which she then adds to the very toxic laminating resin. It's chemistry and it's a time consuming and painstaking process to correctly match the colors her customers have requested, but she takes pride in getting it right. While she mixes, Joey preps the board with tape and paper as a house painter preps a room. Once the colored resin is ready it is poured and squeegeed over fiberglass cloth that covers the foam board. This process of application is like a dance and has to be completed in time before the resin begins to set up.

There are many more steps in the process to create a finished board (adding additional design, adding the Maker logo to the board, buffing and polishing, adding the fins and other functional aspects, etc.). Though I haven't seen those finishing detailed steps as of yet, I have gotten to see some of their finished boards...and I must say that they truly are works of art.

But it's not just how good the board looks or even how good the board performs after it's completed that matters to Joey and Tiana. They put the hard work in to shaping and glassing the boards they create but they also put the hard work in to building relationships with their customers that make a difference. These guys are legit.

I thoroughly enjoyed getting to be in their creative spaces and to watch their creative process as a team. Joey and Tiana Mattos are surfboard artists.

Here is an example of a board created by Maker Surfboards

(taken from photos on their Instagram)

Maker Surfboards

Function and Style

Support Local

Check out their website www.makersurfboards.com and catch them on Instagram @makersurfboards to view boards they've created and to learn more about who they are and what they do as surfboard makers.

Artists Need Space to Create: My Home Studio and Portable Studio Here on Maui

2018-11-12T23:54:00.000-07:00

An Artist needs space to create. It really is a necessity. How big that space is, what that space looks like, and what that space includes in it is as unique as the Artist and the situation and means given.

Over the 20 years I've been a Full Time Working Artist, the 14 years I've been an Art Minister, and the 7 years I've been a Traveling Art Minister/Missionary, I have occupied and have worked in all kinds of art studio spaces. Whether it's a dining room table, a bedroom floor, a house living room, a city street alley, a concert stage, a coffee house, a storefront window, a church platform, a grassy park, a convention center, a house patio, a vehicle garage, a back yard, an orphanage kitchen, a carpet warehouse, a community shared studio, or a new construction home studio....they've all been important parts of my creative process and artistic journey.

I have a home art studio back in Idaho still. And though I've moved to Maui (for at least a year) it is still there for use by Artist friends and waiting for me if/when I return.

But I'm currently here on Maui...so I need (and have set up) studio space here and now to work in and work with. I wanted to share with you what that studio space looks like so you can see what this looks like for me as I paint and minister here on Maui as a full time working Artist and as a Traveling Art Minister.

HOME STUDIO ON MAUI

This is my home studio here on Maui.

It's a much smaller space than my studio back in Idaho (which was specifically built as an art studio with a utility sink and great lighting and outlets and lots of shelves and special flooring and lots of space and is located in the garage)...but though my current studio is much smaller and basically takes up half my bedroom, I make it work and it's such a wonderful thing to be able to create at anytime (I can literally roll out of bed and go to work!)

How did this studio space come to be?

The previous 2 trips to Maui I brought a large roller suitcase each trip filled with all kinds of art supplies that had been donated (including easels, drop cloths, acrylic paints, water color paints, brushes, paper, pastels chalks, pencils, pens, colored pencils, markers, crayons, clay, office supplies, etc.) In preparation for my move to Maui I shipped over boxes with my personal tools, drop cloths, easel, and other art supplies, along with a small printer. I also ordered and had shipped to Maui a large roll (25 yards worth) of unstretched primed canvas that I could cut myself for numerous paintings whatever sizes I will need. And when I moved over in September I checked my black roller art bag on the plane, that carried my personal paint brushes (which in comparison they are to me as a chef's personal knife set would be to them).

This prep ahead of time was a HUGE necessity and a HUGE blessing to do like that because it has saved me heaps of money in the long run and has basically given me a ready made art studio with art ministry supplies on hand to utilize at anytime.

Once I arrived here on Maui I was able to use donated monies (from generous supporters of my traveling art ministry) to purchase the portable tables and plastic bins to store all the art supplies in, and purchase additional supplies to fill in any missing gaps.

I'm still working out the kinks in this studio (it takes living and creating in a space for a time to know if you have the right supplies and have things in the right place for efficiency and ease and flow for creative process).

It's so nice to to have a home studio and I am so very thankful.

most recent painting created in studio

malalo iho

(Hawaiian for deeper)

c. 2018 Lisa Marten

18x24 mixed media on unstretched canvas

painted in my home studio here on Maui

This painting is all about the work it takes to explore the depths of who we are. A diver must undergo hours and hours of instruction, training, and practice in order to go to the areas of the ocean where they can find beautiful worlds, hidden treasures, and exciting discoveries. But even with the licensed training and years of experience, probing the depths can be perilous if the diver doesn't stay alert, trust their instruction and their gages, and rely on wisdom. I see this as a great parallel lesson for life.

PORTABLE STUDIO ON MAUI

This is my portable studio for painting live. That black roller bag I purchased back in 2000 and it has carried countless art supplies for me over the years and has traveled with me all around the world on art ministry travels and has seen so many different places and venues that I've gotten to paint live in. It's a trusted friend and companion and I'm so thankful for it being with me here on Maui.

Because I have a home studio (set up with it's own supplies) and a portable studio (for painting live at Ke Aha and elsewhere) my black bag is always ready to go. It carries acrylic paints and other mediums (pastels, pencils, pens, charcoals, matte medium), paint brushes and tools, palettes and water containers and rags, drop cloths, a light and extension cord, matte fixative spray, and my easel. The other roller cart I purchased here on Maui at Home Depot and it carries my portable table and my painting board with unstretched canvas attached. Also...bungee cords and binder clips are awesome!

Having this portable studio ready to go is so helpful in that I don't have to pack up supplies from my home studio every time I need to go paint live. It's already ready to go with me (whether I'm driving myself in Mak my Maui Cruiser or hopping into the back of one of the Ohana's pick up trucks or vans to get a ride).

I'm still working out the kinks with this studio (it takes time utilizing it's portability to know if you have the right routine and supplies for efficiency and ease with set up and take down and transport and flow for creative process).

It's so fun to have a portable studio and I'm so very thankful.

This is my painting station set up on the stage with the worship band at Ke Aha Vineyard in Kahului, Maui. This photo was taken this past Sunday evening as I painted live. Being that Ke Aha doesn't own their own building space (they are renting from another church), out of necessity I need to have my art supplies portable (there is no space for storage for my stuff on site). As you can see, it's bare bones supplies but that makes for quick set up and take down.

most recent painting created live

ho'ola pana'i

(Hawaiian for redeemer or healer)

c. 2018 Lisa Marten

18x24 mixed media on unstretched canvas

painted live at Ke Aha Vineyard church on Maui

This painting is all about restoration from devastation, light from darkness, life from death, beauty from ashes. Our God is the redeemer of the broken and the hurting, the bruised and the abused, the cast our and the oppressed, the misfits and the misunderstood. There is hope. All through the background of this painting is written the Scripture of Isaiah 61:1-3, "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of the vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn and provide for those who grieve in Zion--to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor."

Joining the Cross-Cultural Conversation through Creativity within Community

2018-10-06T14:35:00.004-06:00

Recently I made a move to an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean to live amidst some local people that I've been building relationship with through creativity over the last 5 years. I've committed to live with them for at least a year. This will give me the chance to continue connecting cross-culturally, building relationship, and engaging in the opportunity of joining the daily conversation within community.

The island I'm living on is Maui. Many of you may have actually been to Maui for a vacation (or to one of it's neighboring Hawaiian islands), taking in it's beautiful beaches, tropical breezes, delicious food, cultural entertainment and music, fragrant flowers, exciting fishing, surfing, and other fun activities, and been blessed by the warm hospitality of the Hawaiian people.

The Maui I get to live in, experience daily, and engage with is a bit different perhaps from the Maui you've experienced. Yes...it has all those things I listed in the paragraph above...but most of that is not what life is about. Life is about the day in day out living with family and friends, work and responsibilities, trying to get by, figuring out what purpose and meaning is, working towards goals and dreams, struggling through hard stuff (sometimes really hard stuff), celebrating the small victories and milestones (finding the courage to dance through life's storms), and walking it all out each day....with the choice of doing it alone or together.

This is the Maui I'm getting to experience. And this is the Maui that I'm getting to paint. Real life, using themes that will speak cross-culturally. I've only just arrived...so I've only just begun. It will be interesting to see how my art changes and transforms through my time here as I experience living here on Maui.

Here are my first 2 paintings I've created. The first one I painted live at Ke Aha Vineyard Church and the second one I painted in my art studio at the house I live at.

ho'ano

(wonder and awe)

c. 2018 Lisa Marten

18x24 mixed media on unstretched canvas

life brings it's troubles and struggles. when we can have the viewpoint of children, filled with wonder and awe for life and a trust in the One who desires to lead us safely despite the hardships, we can dance out of darkness into light.

lawai'a kanaka

(fisher of people)

c. 2018 Lisa Marten

18x24 mixed media on unstretched canvas

with an outstretched hand, life is much more doable when we can give grace, mercy, peace, understanding, compassion, empathy, and the stick-to-it-ness of intentional relationship from the heart in love (not taking or owning or possessing from an agenda)...it's about staying open even in the messiness of life together with each other.

Marten Evergreen: The Journey

2018-09-10T10:51:00.001-06:00

Many of you may know that I am embarking on an upcoming move away from Idaho for awhile. This past weekend, the Boise based performance art company that I am co-founder of, Marten Evergreen performed live at my going away party. We create one of a kind live avant-garde art performances incorporating choreographed dance, painting, music, and story. We create a 3D experience and create a 2D painting. We've been performing since 2011. The company is myself, Lisa Marten and local Boise artist/performer/producer Lukas Evergreen. Over the years we've had many dancers, musicians, and technicians join us at various points to create our unique performances. We've performed at local art and music events in the city, a national art competition, private events, and charity fundraisers. We create each performance as a unique experience for the specific venue and event we are performing for...so each one has different purpose and meaning. This performance was our 16th and was created and performed at my going away party at my house.

Video was taken of the performance but is unavailable to me at this moment. I do have some photos to share with you right away and once I have video I will add that to this post.

MARTEN EVERGREEN

Lisa Marten

Lukas Evergreen

Naomi Psalm

FIRST MOVEMENT

recorded song: Green Mountain State by Trevor Hall

dancer/painter: Lisa Marten

We're all called to enter into the journey of life with open arms, minds, hearts, and spirits. But it's not always easy. It can be quite hard and messy and we might even struggle with our footing, our hearing, or our vision. We get the choice to stay open, to keep going, and to fully enter in to what comes our way. This is the journey of self awareness.

SECOND MOVEMENT:

song: Head to the Heart by United Pursuit

live musician: Naomi Psalm

dancers/painters: Lisa Marten and Lukas Evergreen

When we allow ourselves to enter into the journey of life with our Creator we get the opportunity to learn how to journey Him, to let go of whatever holds us back so we can listen to His heart for us, to receive love and to follow where He leads us. This is the journey of relationship.

THIRD MOVEMENT

recorded song: We Are All Earthlings by Michael Franti

participants: All of US!!!

And as we allow ourselves to embrace who we are made to be and to enter into the beautiful mess that the journey of life ist, we are more able to give and receive love and enter into the conversations that our Creator is having with others through love...and we get the opportunity to enter into those conversations in creative ways. This is the journey of LOVE!

GO LOVE PEOPLE!

Life REALLY Is Better Together

2018-08-08T12:12:00.001-06:00

BETTER TOGETHER

24x30 mixed media on canvas

c. 2018 Lisa Marten

The opening night of my art show:

"Life Is Better Together" was a beautiful experience and I found myself all emotional at the end of the night as I recall all the wonderful people who came and all the heart to heart conversations, hugs, laughter and memories made. I'm the featured artist for August at The Coffee Studio in Meridian (6360 Saguaro Hills, Meridian ID) and it's my last art show in Idaho for awhile, as I'm moving next month. This event was a meaningful time for me to connect in community with so many who have supported my art over the years, to cultivate a fun atmosphere with music and painting for people to experience, to create a new painting live as a gift, and to help support others in the process. Thank you to ALL who were able to come and participate. And thank you to ALL who were unable to come but so very much wanted to be there. You ALL are dearly loved!

These are some of the paintings on display/for sale. From left to right/top to bottom:

"Better Together", "Ubuntu Ohana", "Join the Conversation", "Abide With Me", "Gather: Taste and See"

These are some of the paintings on display/for sale. From left to right/top to bottom:

"Collaboration Convergence", "Interchange", "Push-Push Back", "Reach"

I created an art table for interactive community creative collaboration.

I was really blessed by such a great turn out at the opening of my show. It was a real treat to see people and get the chance to connect.

I loved that people felt comfortable to gather in circles to converse over coffee and art.

There were so many conversations that people were engaged in throughout the night. It was really so fun.

local singer-songwriter Jared Nilo playing live music for us

I loved being able to paint live to the music of Jared Nilo and create a special painting about community

This was a beautiful experience to hang out with everyone and be surrounded by so much love.

(I'm wearing a flower lei that an artist friend brought back from Hawaii for me as a special gift for my opening night)

COME TOGETHER

24x30 mixed media on canvas c. 2018 Lisa Marten

painted live on August 7, 2018 at The Coffee Studio

as a gift to The Coffee Studio for being a faithful support of local community and artists

"The invitation is open to join the conversation at the table. There’s room for you. Come together. Hold space for one another. Stay open. Be intentional. Be you. Listen to and see others for who they are and in turn you’ll have the chance to be heard and seen for who you are. Reach across differences and let this be an opportunity to connect human to human, heart to heart in community. Life is better together."

--------------

THE ARTIST STATEMENTS FOR THE SHOW:

Life is Better Together

an art exhibit by abstract expressionist artist Lisa Marten

The paintings:

24x30” mixed media paintings on canvas.

Original Paintings For Sale: $636 each.

Pre-Order/Pre-Pay Prints of various sizes and prices available.

For more info on how to purchase original artwork or pre-order/pre-pay prints contact Lisa Marten at: revelatorart@yahoo.com or (208) 830-5208.

To see more of Lisa’s artwork go to: www.revelatorart.blogspot.com

As an artist, I travel around the world connecting cross-culturally with diverse communities, coming alongside others through creativity, joining in conversations with people from all walks of life and diversity of backgrounds. I enjoy listening to people’s stories of who they are. Sharing human to human, heart to heart. And no matter where I’ve traveled I’ve learned that we as humans (regardless of age, race, gender, culture, religion) have more in common than we differ. We all have a desire to belong…belong to our family, to our tribe, to our community, to our world. The innate understanding that we are a part of something much bigger than ourselves. And we all have a desire to know who we are…to know who we are in relation to our family, our tribe, our community, our world. The innate understanding that we are individually important within that bigger something.

This exhibit is an exploration through mixed media abstract expressionist paintings that embraces the topic that we are better together. Not separate and alone. When we are brave to drop our masks of performance and pride, break down the walls built by fear and pain that divide us , admit that we all experience sorrow, loss, fear, pain, joy, faith, hope, and love. If we can stay open to seeing and hearing each other…really seeing and hearing, and reach out to each other in genuine gratitude, forgiveness, and humility….we will become who we are meant to be.

'Life Is Better Together' August Art Show

2018-07-12T10:45:00.001-06:00

I'm having my LAST SOLO ART SHOW IN IDAHO (at least for awhile) as a FEATURED ARTIST FOR AUGUST at THE COFFEE STUDIO and I want to invite you to it.

ART EXHIBIT:

August 7th through August 31

WHERE:

The Coffee Studio

6360 Saguaro Hills

Meridian, ID

(on Chinden between Locust Grove and Meridian Rd)

OPENING RECEPTION:

I love collaboration and love supporting local, so I'm partnering with The Coffee Studio (a locally owned coffee shop) that I've had relationship with for many years, along with local singer/songwriter/musician Jared Nilo for a night of ART, LIVE MUSIC, COFFEE, COMMUNITY, and COLLABORATION! I'll be LIVE PAINTING and you'll have the opportunity to do some collaborative art also if you'd like.

WHEN:

Tuesday August 7, 2018

6pm-8pm

WHERE:

The Coffee Studio

6360 Saguaro Hills

Meridian, ID

(on Chinden between Locust Grove and Meridian Rd)

Come and see my new paintings on display/for sale that I've created to be included in this solo art exhibit titled:

"LIFE IS BETTER TOGETHER"

The paintings on display are for sale. You can also Pre-Order/Pre-Pay Prints of the paintings on display.

The profit on any original painting sale and pre-order/pre-pay prints will go towards providing art supplies and expenses for my UPCOMING MOVE FROM IDAHO in SEPTEMBER to serve through ART and MINISTRY full time in the middle of the Pacific.

LISA MARTEN CREATING LIVE

JARED NILO PLAYING LIVE

Come join me for the Opening Reception at The Coffee Studio on August 7th from 6pm-8pm for a fun night of art, music, coffee, collaboration and community. I'd love to see you there!

SUMMARY OF THE ART EXHIBIT THEME:

LIFE IS BETTER TOGETHER

2018 REFLECT Conference for the Arts

2018-06-13T20:15:00.001-06:00

Since 2012 I've been a part of a planning team, that was birthed out of the VineArts Boise art ministry that I'm in leadership with, for a bi-annual national (and sometimes international) arts conference whose goals it's been to connect creatives with each other and with those who have a heart to minister to them. The conferences allow for creative collaboration and conversation, based around the topic of art and faith, to take place within safe community. It was originally called The Creative Church Conference of Boise but we recently changed the name to Reflect Conference for the Arts. We just wrapped up our fourth conference (the first with the Reflect name) and I wanted to post a bit about it here.

"The 2018 Reflect Conference for the Arts was a 4-day creative encounter designed to nourish and develop the creative spark God has placed in you. Featured artists include live painter Scott Erickson (Portland OR), tap dancer Andrew Nemr (NYC), potter Dave Blakeslee (Salida, CO), choreographer/dancer Marlita Hill (Los Angeles), watercolorist Michael Gatlin (Duluth Vineyard, MN), jazz musician/producer Justin Nielsen (Eagle, ID), artist/art minister/founder of VineArts Boise (the local art ministry based within Vineyard Boise Christian Fellowship Church) and Art Fruition (an on-line art ministry school) Jessie Nilo (Boise, ID) and many more. Presented by VineArts Boise (which I'm a part of) who previously hosted the Creative Church Conference in Boise, our new name reflects our passion of fostering grassroots communities of creatives around the world. It's about experiencing hands-on art workshops, live performances, deep personal connections, and artistic formation in Christ.

At Reflect, our mission has been to create a safe, communal space for all people - beginners to professionals, in every medium and discipline - to come together and express their creative calling. It's a call to foster your imagination through the visual arts, performing arts, writing, and other forms of creativity. Love people through art. Thrive in creative community. Collaborate with God to go beyond what you thought was possible. Whether a professional looking for spiritual formation, a beginner hoping to connect your own creativity to God, or someone who simply wants to enjoy an art-soaked time of beauty, REFLECT is for you...and you are welcomed into the Art Tribe."

We are all about the LOVE and inclusion recognizing that we are made in the image of God (we are IMAGO DEI....image bearers of God) and we reflect Him to each other.

THURSDAY NIGHT:

The conference was 2 years in the making. Lots of hard work and prayer have gone into the planning and preparations, and so many people were involved to make it happen.

Our Safe Space In the Round to experience creative community.

SPOKEN WORD

Original pieces written by Travis & Kathy Nelson.

In the beginning God created...

KATHY NELSON

Poet and Artist

TRAVIS NELSON

Poet and Artist

JESSIE NILO

Artist/Art Minister. Boise, ID

Jessie Nilo welcomed us all to the conference introducing who we are as a team and what the Reflect Conference for the Arts is all about.

With our 2018 theme being INTENTIONALITY....Artist Lisa Marten (that's me) welcomed us all into the heart of it...this was our time and our space...this was our call to be WHO we are meant to be as creatives and as humans.

"BLESSED are the weirdos, the poets and misfits, the artists, writers, dancers, music makers, potters, dreamers, imagineers and outsiders...For they (WE) help us to see the world differently.....UBUNTU! I am because We are!"

INTERACTIVE SPEAKING

TAP BOARD TRANSFORMATION

MOVEMENT ONE: LIFE

ANDREW NEMR

Tap Artist/TEDtalk Fellow. NYC

Tap Artist Andrew Nemr kicked us off and shared with us his life story and how he found his calling as he tapped on his board that had been very beautifully decorated by artist Amandalynn Lovewell utilizing chalk pastels and charcoal.

INTERACTIVE SPEAKING

SESSION ONE:

MICHAEL GATLIN

Painter/Pastor. DULUTH, MN

Pastor and Painter Michael Gatlin shared with us about how who we are as creatives reflects God to others

LIVE ART

REFLECT MIRROR PAINTING: THE HEAD (BRAIN)

Collaboration by Artists AMANDALYNN LOVEWELL and LISA MARTEN

INTERPRETIVE DANCE

MARLITA HILL (dancer/choreographer) danced to a spoken word she had written about the relationship of Creator God with us His creation.

FRIDAY:

RAFFLE BASKETS AND SILENT AUCTION

many wonderful gifts and artwork were donated from the speakers, the planning team, and others

MORNING CORPORATE WORSHIP

Musician JARED NILO & AMANDALYNN LOVEWELL & ANDREW NEMR

led us all in some morning song to worship

INTERACTIVE SPEAKING

SESSIONS TWO AND THREE:

SCOTT ERICKSON

Live Painter/Speaker/Author. Portland, OR

Scott Erickson spoke to us through an interactive presentation both sessions (utilizing imagery, song, humor, and story) and got real with us sharing parts of his life story and talking to us about intentional spiritual practices for the creative.

IN THE ROUND BREAKOUT WORKSHOPS:

many workshops were offered Friday and Saturday mornings and afternoons....each focusing on intentional creativity and connection.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS AND CONVERSATIONS OVER LUNCHES AND DINNERS were offered and encouraged for attendees, speakers, and the planning team to interact together.

FRIDAY CONCERT NIGHT:

JUSTIN NIELSEN

Jazz Musician/Composer/Producer. Eagle, ID

PERFORMANCE OF ORIGINAL COMPOSITION
BY JUSTIN NIELSEN OF "DIVINE COLORS"

ACCOMPANIED BY LOCAL JAZZ BAND AND CHOIR MEMBERS,

ANDREW NEMR TAPPING AND AMANDALYNN LOVEWELL AND JESSIE NILO CREATING LIVE ART

THE NIGHT WAS AN INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE AND EXAMPLE OF INTENTIONAL CREATIVE COLLABORATION WITH EACH OTHER AND WITH GOD

HERE IS VIDEO OF A TASTE OF THE MUSIC THAT WAS BEING CREATED BY JUSTIN NIELSEN AND THE BAND

HERE IS VIDEO OF A TASTE OF THE CREATIVE COLLABORATION IN ACTION

ANDREW NEMR TAPPING AND AMANDALYNN LOVEWELL SKETCHING

THE WHOLE NIGHT WAS A BEAUTIFUL INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE OF CREATIVE CONVERSATION THROUGH COLLABORATION.

TAP BOARD TRANSFORMATION

MOVEMENT TWO: DEATH

SATURDAY:

INTERACTIVE SPEAKING

SESSION FOUR:

COFFEE WITH THE POTTERS

Dave Blakeslee (Salidas, CO), Dean Estes (Boise, ID), Rick Jenkins (Boise, ID), and Dennis Sprik (Las Vegas, NV)

spoke to us about collaboration and connecting in community while they threw pots and formed clay in front of us

DENNIS SPRIK

RICK JENKINS

DEAN ESTES

DAVE BLAKESLEE

INTERACTIVE SPEAKING

SESSION FIVE:

MARLITA HILL

Dancer/Choreographer/Author. Los Angeles, CA

Marlita Hill spoke to us about the connecting our faith with our art as artists who are active in our communities and careers

LIVE ART

REFLECT MIRROR PAINTING: THE HEART

collaboration by artists AMANDALYNN LOVEWELL and LISA MARTEN

SATURDAY NIGHT OF CREATIVE WORSHIP:

SPOKEN WORD

pieces taken from The Singer Trilogy by Calvin Miller

ACT ONE:

TRAVIS NELSON speaking The Singer (who is Christ) and the song that He sings for us

ACT TWO:

KATHY NELSON speaking Creation and the Fall and our human need for redemption

CORPORATE WORSHIP

JARED NILO AND AMANDALYNN LOVEWELL AND ANDREW NEMR

led us in song while everyone created and worshipped throughout the room.

INTERACTIVE COLLABORATIVE ART

THE HEAD

(3) 5'x7' CANVASES: MURAL IMAGERY: THE HEAD (BRAIN NEURONS)

People painted, wrote words, and added texture to the pre-designed canvases

THE BEAUTY OF COLLABORATION...

EACH OF OUR UNIQUE MARK MAKING ADDS TO THE WHOLE

Representing our minds becoming one with the mind of Christ

THE HEART

STAINED GLASS MOSAIC CLAY POT: THE HEART

People added bits of colorful stained glass and wrote out their "blockages" on pieces of paper and placed them inside the heart to give to God.

THE BEAUTY OF OUR BROKENNESS.

EACH OF OUR PIECES TOGETHER FORMS A WHOLE

Representing our hearts becoming one with the heart of God.

If we allow Him...God takes our hurts, addictions, fears, insecurities, struggles, pains, sorrows, imperfections, hopes and dreams, joys and celebrations and brings them all together to transform us into a beautiful work of art...our lives.

POETRY & DRAMA

WITH LIFE STORY

ACT THREE:

JESSIE NILO, TRAVIS NELSON, KATHY NELSON

presented spoken word and drama with LISA MARTEN

showing the lame being healed by the Singer's Song

ANDREW NEMR and LISA MARTEN (that's me) sharing a dance in celebration.

Lisa shared about being born disabled (both clubbed feet) and being on the Autistic Spectrum as an adult female with Aspergers....and how God has pursued her head and heart throughout her life to make her whole and calling her to a life of loving others with similar struggles. It opened up a time of prayer and ministry shining light on much God is FOR us...and He gets us and loves us for WHO we are.

CORPORATE WORSHIP IN THE ROUND

Everyone gathered in a circle in the center. Jared Nilo, Amandalynn Lovewell, and Andrew Nemr led everyone in corporate song and dance to complete the night....connecting our heads to our hearts, connecting with God's mind and heart, connecting with each other as a Body.

HERE IS A VIDEO OF THE FINISHED HEAD AND HEART INTERACTIVE COLLABORATIVE ART CREATED WITHIN WORSHIP

SUNDAY MORNING:

CORPORATE WORSHIP SERVICE

JARED NILO and BAND LEADING IN SONG

DOTTIE OLIN CREATING LIVE ART

JESSIE NILO CREATING LIVE ART

(CONTINUED COLLABORATION WITH AMANDALYNN LOVEWELL and LISA MARTEN ON REFLECT MIRRORS)

TAP ARTIST ANDREW NEMR SPEAKING AND TAPPING WHILE ARTIST AMANDALYNN LOVEWELL DID LIVE ART ON THE TAP BOARD ONE LAST TIME

TAP BOARD TRANSFORMATION

MOVEMENT THREE: RESURRECTION

DAVE BLAKESLEE

Potter/Pastor. Salidas, CO

Spoke while throwing pots.

FRIENDSHIP LUNCH

ONE LAST TIME TO CONNECT AND CONVERSE WITH EACH OTHER BEFORE SAYING GOODBYE

3RD TRIBE

INTENTIONALITY

"UBUNTU OHANA"

c. 2018, original painting by Lisa Marten

24x30 mixed media on canvas.

There is a story of a missionary in Africa who was playing with some children. He invited them to race to a nearby tree and the first one to arrive at the tree would receive a sweet treat to eat. The children looked at each other and joined hands. They ran together to the tree, arriving at the same time. The missionary was so surprised at the outcome but he recognized that he needed to give the treats to all of them since they had all "won". Shortly after they received the treats they gathered sitting in a circle together with their feet touching and enjoyed the sweets. The missionary was compelled to ask them why they had all ran together. They shouted out in unison, "UBUNTU!" and then one of the children explained...

Ubuntu is way of life that they all understood. It means "I am because we are." They knew that if only one of them won the prize the rest would be left out. This didn't seem right to them. So they'd rather give up individual gain and do it together so each of them would experience the win.

This is a beautiful picture of the Body of Christ and how we are to work together.
As individuals our unique voice (who we are and what we bring) is vitally important to the larger picture...but there is a larger picture. We are a part of something that is much bigger than ourselves. And together we can do and be so much more.

We are 3rd Tribe (the creatives, the artisans, the worshippers) and we are better together!

Commissioned ART

2018-04-20T01:04:00.000-06:00

One of my favorite things about what I get to do as a full time working artist is commissioned work. Commissioned work is when someone hires me to custom create something very specific for them (a painting, a sketch, a mural, a design, etc.) I've been doing commissioned work for at least 20 years now and it never ceases to bring me joy as I continue to be challenged, inspired, and blown away by the unique blessing that collaborating with a client can be.

And collaboration is exactly how I see commissioned work. It's a collaboration (a conversation) between myself and the client to create something from nothing...something new and tangible from mere ideas and thoughts. A lot of artists prefer to not do commissioned work, as they find it to be too demanding or limiting for them (encroaching on their individual work and ideas). But I have found commissioned work to be essential in not only developing good business and networking connections but in developing growth in my own skills and abilities as an artist and in developing long lasting relationship with people as I work to make something that we can be proud of together.

For me...commissioned work is more than getting paid for my work...it's about loving people through art in a very personal way. And I'm all about the love! :)

I'd like to give you an example of what I'm talking about...from a recent commissioned work I just finished. (I have my clients permission to share the story and some photos of our process)

DANCE YOUR DREAM

So, many moons ago I lived in Washington State. It was there, during my high school years, that I met my friend Julie.

This is Julie.

Julie is an education training specialist at a local college where she lives. One of my favorite things that I like about Julie is her laugh and her loving heart for her family and friends. Speaking of friends...Julie has a friend named Kelli.

This is Kelli.

Kelli is a personal trainer and business owner who dedicates her life to helping people create a healthy mind, body, and soul through fitness training, dance, and creating a healing space for cancer patients/survivors that includes painting, music, and movement. Kelli has a loving heart for people that extends into every area of her life.

So Julie, being the loving friend that she is, had an idea...to contact me about a commissioned painting that she would purchase as a gift specifically for her friend Kelli...as a gesture of gratitude and blessing for who Kelli is in how she blesses others.

Of course these days I'm located in Idaho State, where I have my art business revelatorART.

This is me (Lisa).

That's not Idaho in the picture...but it's where I'm moving to soon (but that's a story for another blog post). Anyways...

Julie messaged me through Facebook to ask me about the commissioned work. She knew my business logo was a Koru swirl (a tribal symbol I connected with when I traveled to New Zealand that has many meanings, with one of them being "new beginnings") and she wanted to talk to me about it because she had noticed that Kelli owned a Koru swirl piece of art.

As we messaged back and forth through Facebook and she filled me in on her thoughts and ideas about blessing her friend (with whom I didn't know and had never met), Julie let me know that she felt Kelli and I would connect well as we seem to have a similar heart dedication to love on people through who we are and what we do. She wanted to hire me to paint a Koru for Kelli (in my abstract expressionist mixed media style) so she could give it to Kelli for the grand opening of Kelli's new fitness studio.

I was more than willing to take on this commission and to enter the conversation of long distance collaboration (between myself and Julie...and more importantly, between myself Kelli) as I sought to create a painting that would represent Kelli and speak her heart through paint and canvas.

The entire process (from that first message Julie sent to me to inquire all the way to the day Kelli received the painting) would take about 5 months.

Once Julie and I signed the contract (that I emailed to her) together for the commissioned piece, (which this is my policy with clients for legal purposes of agreement on payment and deadline), I began the process of correspondence with Kelli (via Julie) to figure out the detail of what the painting would look like.

We emailed back and forth to converse about the details. Part of the reasons it took so long was because you have to remember that this was a long distance commission and I had never met Kelli before and needed to get to know her in order to create a unique piece of art that would represent who she is and what she's about, something that would inspire her and her own clients (as it would hang in her new fitness studio). And I needed the time to begin preliminary sketches and computer mock ups to try and take her thoughts and ideas and what we were corresponding about through our internet communication and formulate them into something tangible in imagery. It's a part of the process that calls for patience and grace as both myself and my client work hard to learn from each other (to listen and be heard).

This kind of work takes a lot of time even when I have the benefit of a client who is local with me and I can meet them face to face. Due to our long distance locations and the busyness of our schedules and needing to connect via Julie, this first phase of the process was a bit of a challenge, but we pressed through in order to be able to come up with something that we all would love and that I could create with paint on canvas.

I asked Kelli a bunch of questions in order to get to know her...everything from favorite music to favorite quotes and colors to what motivates her to do what she does. For me, it was a fun process to learn about Kelli and to try and come up with something for her.

I work in the computer first before setting a brush into paint and onto the canvas. It helps me get a picture (an initial idea) ahead of time of what I'm to do...giving me a rough outline (to use a writing metaphor) to know where to speak from. It helps me with knowing what colors to use and how the design should be. I pull from the thoughts and ideas of the client, I pull from images and textures I find that might help with inspiration, and I pull from things I create and come up with. It's not an exact replica of what the painting will actually end up looking like, but it's a foundation to work from. It also helps the client in being able to picture what their painting will possibly be able to look like.

I'll never forget the day I received the email that Kelli sent saying that I had "nailed it" for her in my computer mock up of the Koru that would best express who she is. The above photo is the computer mock up of the Koru swirl as a dream catcher with various dancers (adults and children) and tribal feathers moving throughout, and specific words and phrases that would mean a lot to Kelli (life mottos and inspiring messages). This mock up helped me in creating the central focal point of the painting.

Once the correspondence part of the process was completed, I could enter my studio and gather my tools around me and begin the process of creating the painting.

The easel.

The brushes and tools.

The acrylic paint.

The latex house paint.

The cut outs of the printed and painted imagery of the dancers and feathers I would glue within the Koru.

Once the painting started I didn't stop until it was finished. I listened to Kelli's favorite music while I painted so that my heart and mind would be fully connected to her (as best I could be) while I painted. I truly see the process of creating as a conversation and so I was having a conversation with her as I painted...I spent time listening for the details that would speak life.

Dance Your Dream

c. 2018 Lisa Marten

24x30 mixed media on canvas

For Kelli from Julie painted by Lisa.

Once I finished the painting I contacted Julie to let her know. Being that Julie was the one purchasing the painting for Kelli, I had her ask Kelli for me if she wanted to see a photo of the painting before she received the painting in person or if she wanted to wait to be surprised....and she wanted to wait to be surprised.

So I too had to wait to know what her reaction would be.

The next part of the process was shipping. Once a painting is given to a client or shipped off to a client it's no longer mine...I have to let go and let it be free to be with the one who called it into existence.

It only took a few days for it to arrive to Julie and then she took it to Kelli to give to her at her studio.

Sidenote: one of my favorite things about commissioned work is when I am able to give the art piece to my client and I can see and hear their reaction to the unveiling of their very special and unique customized piece of art that I was able to create for them. It's not just about "they like what I made"...it's more about "oh wow! i got it right! i got them right!" and they are experiencing "I see you, I hear you, you are understood, you are loved."

Because this commissioned work was all done long distance I asked Julie if she could take some photos and video for me when she gave the painting to Kelli so I would be able to know how this collaboration turned out.

This is Kelli with her painting.

She loves it!

I received this internet correspondence from both Julie and Kelli the next day in response to our creative journey together. Needless to say, this made me smile so hugely and made me cry. It was such a positive and inspiring process to be a part of and it will be one of my most memorable experiences with a client(s) and a commissioned piece of art. Such a life giving moment! So worth it!

To know that in a small way I was able to love on and encourage 2 people-one whom I've never met face to face (just by being who I am as an artist)-who love much and love well...who in turn love on and encourage so many others on a daily basis, is one of the most rewarding things in life.

I love love love what I get to do!

So I'm gonna keep painting LOVE!

*if you or someone you know is interested in hiring me to do a unique piece of commissioned art, please contact me at: revelatorart@yahoo.com and we can begin to enter the conversation of creative collaboration together. Much Love!

Creative Collaboration: Intentional Inclusion: Invite. Invite. Invite.

2018-03-07T18:29:00.002-07:00

I love creative collaboration!

There is something so incredibly fun for me to connect with other artists through our creativity. I'm not really sure when exactly the love of creative collaboration started for me...but I can definitely remember 19 years ago, the first time I was invited to paint side by side together with another artist on the same canvas (thank you Jillian McEntarffer!) The experience introduced me to new mediums, color palettes, painting styles, and techniques and it opened up a whole new viewpoint on how to make art, how to grow as an artist, and how to build relationship with other artists. Yet it would take immersing myself into an art community a few years later where collaboration was not only encouraged, but very much a part of the DNA of who they are (thank you Jessie Nilo and the Art Family of VineArts Boise!) I've been a part of creative collaborations with other artists, creatives, performers, speakers, writers, etc.) in all various forms for the last 14 years...and it's now very much a part of my DNA in who I am.

Intentional Inclusion.

Invite. Invite. Invite.

Most visual artists prefer to create on their own...in the comfort and seclusion of their studios. It's rare to find a visual artist that will embrace creating in some other setting that has other people around (especially other artists). But that is exactly what I love to do!

Yes of course I value my alone time in my art studio as I work on commissioned paintings or projects for clients or as I work on paintings for upcoming art exhibits I'm showing in. But I also value time spent with other artists as we work together collaborating on visual art or performance art together (regardless of if it's for a specific project that we're involved in or if it's to have fun together creating and learning from each other). The intentional invitation to collaborate together is something I highly value.

I learned from one of my college professors-mentors in Seattle 30 years ago that the process of inclusion is empowering (thank you Dennis Leggett!). He intentionally invited 2 students (male and female) from each year (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior) within our department of study to join him as a small group that would meet once a month together until we all graduated (as Seniors graduated, new Freshman joined the group...so it just kept going). Together we met with him and oftentimes his wife on campus and in his home, we went to coffee, we ate together, we did book studies together, discussed topics and shared ideas, we went camping together and we hung out together. We were mentored by him and we mentored each other. It was the most memorable part of my college education.

The big lesson he tried to instill in us all in the 4 years he had with us was that when you intentionally invite people to come along side of you to learn about what you KNOW, to get in there and experience together with you and FEEL what you do, and then to be released to DO it themselves in their way...you are helping to equip, encourage, and empower them to be who they're supposed to be with their unique voice (to be an important part of the bigger picture that creates legacy). This is mentoring, discipling, coaching, teaching, parenting, pastoring, ministering, training...it's collaborating. Intentionally coming alongside one another is a beautiful way of building relationship and helping each other grow.

Yesterday I was able to hang out with my dear friend and fellow Artist and Art Minister, Jessie Nilo in her studio to collaborate on a canvas with her. We've painted together numerous times over the past 14 years (everything from murals to backdrops to live speed paintings) but last night was a first...we created an impressionist portrait painting intuitively together...no plan, no audience, no agenda...for the main purpose of having fun together...connecting in conversation and creativity.

Though we're both visual artists and have worked with each other for years, we have very different backgrounds as to how we learned to paint and we have different painting styles, medium preferences, and typically choose different subject matter to paint. But regardless, the process of collaboration calls for integrating our individual artistic voices into one shared voice that comes through what is created.

Collaboration really is like having a conversation with someone (regardless of if you know them or not). There's moments of sharing, moments of listening, moments of responding, moments of pausing. There's give and take, learning and teaching, giving and receiving. It's all a part of it.

We put some music on and began randomly applying archival tape to the black canvas (for some texture) and then as we talked and listened we applied acrylic paint through abstract expressionist techniques. The colors we chose for our palette were colors that neither of us would've normally chosen to paint with (I think this was a purposeful challenge to ourselves to go beyond what we know).

Upon gathering together, we didn't have a plan of what we were going to paint. She had recently purchased an art book of photography and we both looked at it while we ate our dinner and talked. It gave us some inspiration and direction. Keep in mind it was all very free form and organic in how we approached this creative process. We kept our brushstrokes loose so we didn't get caught up in perfection of trying to copy the photograph. This allowed us to be free to intuitively paint the portrait together with our unique styles.

Here Jessie is applying paint with her fingers (this is not her typical way of painting-though I often use my fingers!) Also...can you see the pink splatter in the upper left corner (that was my signature technique added).

Here I'm applying some gold under the eye to create a highlight (portraits in paint are not my typical subject matter-though Jessie often paints portraits!) I was impressed with how many colors we used in this portrait.

We both couldn't believe what we were able to create together in ONLY 45 MINUTES! It was such a fun experience collaborating in this way together.

Little known fact: our fastest time painting on the same canvas together and completing a painting was about 5 minutes! That was a couple of years ago when we painted live as an illustration during part of our Pastor's sermon (and we had rehearsed painting the image a few times before we did it live).

Imitator

c. 2018 Jessie Nilo and Lisa Marten

16x20 mixed media on canvas

(acrylic paint and archival tape)

Imitator: (noun) follower, model, example of the manner, style, character, resemble or simulate, to make or be like

After creating this piece we kind of thought the image looked a bit Christ-like...but not actually Christ. And we were reminded of the encouragement of Philippians 2 which speaks a lot about being imitators of Christ (loving people and being in unity together).

"Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus."

Abstract Expressionism Layers

2018-03-03T22:56:00.001-07:00

Some of my artistic influencers have been expressionist painters like Vincent Van Gogh and JMW Turner...abstract expressionist painters like Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner...and mixed media artists like Rick Bartow and James Castle. I'm also influenced by my fellow contemporary abstract expressionist artists and collage artists that I've viewed at various galleries around the world and on social media. Their work is very different from each other but one thing they all have in common is their use of layers. Their mark making is intuitive. They work in layers applying color with various mediums utilizing texture, abstract shapes, and emotive action that express story with what they paint. This is the heart of expressionism. This is also what I do.

Here is some documentation of the abstract expressionist mixed media collage layering process with the canvas that was on my easel today....

Stage one of mark making...

Graphite pencil sketching.

and charcoal sketching.

Stage two of mark making.

Latex house paint and acrylic paint brush work.

More layers of brushwork.

And more layers of brushwork.

Stage three of mark making.

Layering with more sketching and brushwork.

And more sketching and brushwork...creating definition.

Stage four of mark making.

Brushwork and sketching creating top layers of action and emotion.

Stage five of mark making.

Splattering of paint.

Stage six of mark making.

This is the focal image for the painting...pomegranates on a round table. I printed out 3 different images of pomegranates in black and white and pasted them together. I also printed out a round table top in black and white. I brushed on matte medium to protect the paper and ink. Then I painted with acrylic paint on top of them to bring some color to the imagery.

And here's the story for this painting...

Gather: Taste and See

c. 2018 Lisa Marten

24x30 mixed media on canvas

(graphite, charcoal, chalk pastel, acrylic paint, latex house paint, paper, ink, matte medium)

$636

This painting is all about being welcome to the table...communion in community. This is us...friends, strangers, allies, enemies, races, genders, religions, ideologies, economic backgrounds, nations, cultures...humans...experiencing the same hunger, the same needs, the same feelings, the same hopes and joys, and the same pain and sorrow...we are all welcome to gather around the and share together. The big question...when given the choice, can we let go of our differences to sit next to each other and listen to one another with caring hearts over open conversation together...can we share who we are, what we have, our experiences and where we're going with each other...in true communion. The pomegranate is an ancient symbol prosperity and fruitfulness. It's also a spiritual symbol of brokenness and resurrection. In Christian tradition it's a symbol of God's uncontrolling Love for us. This painting is all about the Love freely offered to us every day. It's up to us.

Mark Making and Art Abiding

2018-02-28T22:54:00.001-07:00

I wanted to show you some more of my creative process as I'm painting in my studio. There are various stages of mixed media layering and texturing and mark making that I engage in as I create an abstract expressionist painting.

I start with an image that will be my focal point and theme of the painting. Once it's printed out from my computer (usually in black and white). I apply a layer of matte medium to protect the paper and seal in the ink so that I can paint or draw on top of it without ruining the image.

For this specific image, of two people embracing, I chose to apply some brown acrylic paint to give some depth to it (and to try to create a more neutral skin tone to be inclusive to all ethnicities).

Then I cut the image out. And in this case I needed to tape sections together (because the overall image is larger than my printer prints).

Here's some of the progression.

Once I finish prepping the focal image I'm ready to begin painting the abstract background on the canvas.

There are several layers in the process of painting...but I usually start out with sketching on the canvas with graphite and charcoal.

Next I begin painting with large brushes using latex house paint and also acrylic paints in loose brushstrokes. I typically start with the darker colors first to create depth and then move towards the brighter colors. The more water I use with the paint I can create washes and drips texture.

Here's some of the progression.

From there I just keep continuing the layers of color and texture.

I used rags and paper towels to add texture in some of the areas...creating smoothness or creating a brushed away effect.

I used a palate knife to apply the paint to create a thicker texture in parts of the painting (for this one I used it mostly in the center area).

I intermittently sketched on top of the paint with graphite, charcoal, and chalk pastel to add more depth in some areas and to create a unique sketchiness in other areas.

The process of applying the various layers can take several hours (usually a full work day and sometimes into the night) as I work until it's finished. Switching back and forth from painting to texture to sketching to painting to drip effects to more sketching to splatter to texture to painting again is all a part of the process.

The moment I know the abstract background is finished I can move on to the next step. I apply the focal image with the matte medium (this time using it a glue), smoothing it out with a small plastic squeegee and then apply some finishing touches with paint to get it to integrate into the background.

With this specific painting I also used some paint sticks to splatter latex house paint onto the canvas as a finishing touch to give it that extra something...(it's kind of my thing to splatter paint).

Here's the finished painting:

Abide With Me

c. 2018 Lisa Marten

24x30 mixed media on canvas

(graphite, charcoal, chalk pastel, acrylic paint, latex house paint, paper, ink, matte medium)

$636

This painting is all about the LOVE.

It's not just the feeling of love...it's about the security, the safety, the peace, the trust...that knows us, that accepts us, that believes in us. It's the belonging. It's being home within that embrace. It's abiding in love. In order to truly experience the embrace, we need to be open and willing to be intentional, to be close, to be vulnerable, to be who we are...together. It's a risk...but it's what we all need and long for. It's what makes us human.

Revisiting a Previous Painting to Create Something New

2018-02-23T20:48:00.006-07:00

This is a painting I created live during my art exhibit opening titled Hands and Feet that I had last year in October at Awakenings Coffee House in Boise. I had titled the painting Look At The Ravens: You Count Far More. I created it to the live music of local musician Jake Nielsen. It was such a fun collaboration with him in that live moment for the audience to experience with us together. The painting has been sitting in my studio ever since and I haven't known what to do with it. I could sell it. I could give it away. Or...I could do something new with it.

Today I chose to do something new with the painting. And so it took it's place on my easel ready to be transformed. Ready to collaborate with me and with God, with the paints and other mediums, with the brushes and other tools...to be a part of something bigger than itself.

Here's a video of a paint layer being applied.

Here's another video of a paint layer being applied.

Here's one more video of a paint layer being applied.

Here are some detailed spots showing the layers and texture.

The addition of latex house paints and acrylic paints applied as a wash over the previous image begins to give the painting a new direction.

Here's video of a paint layer being applied by palate knife.

The addition of latex house paints and acrylic paints applied with palate knives give some additional texture to the painting.

Video of me adding a charcoal layer.

The addition of graphite, charcoal, and chalk pastels gives the painting more action and the implied look of a sketch (a work in progress).

Here are some detailed spots showing the layers and texture.

Once I knew that the painting was nearing it's finish, I glued on a paper image that I had printed with matte medium (which protects the paper and ink so I can paint on top of it) and then continued adding paint and texture to integrate it into the painting. It's an image of my hand intertwined with the hands of some of my friends. I took a photo of us connected like this a few years ago and I wanted to utilize it in this painting as the representation of the theme.

Better Together

c. 2018 Lisa Marten

24x30 mixed media on canvas

(graphite, charcoal, chalk pastel, acrylic paint, latex house paint, paper, ink, matte medium)

This painting is all about we as individuals matter. Who we are is important and as we allow ourselves to be who we are meant to be we come to realize that we're also a part of something that is much bigger than ourselves. We're part of this big beautiful thing called humanity. We can accomplish so much more when we come alongside each other, when we work together, when we allow for collaboration, when we join in community, when we help each other out. We're actually allowing for ourselves to be the best that we can be...together.

The Evolution of a Mixed Media Painting

2018-02-21T23:44:00.005-07:00

Today I created a seascape based on an image I saw within a design that was on a faux marble countertop in a hotel room I stayed in last fall when my mom and I were in Seattle. Sometimes my ideas come from crazy everyday stuff like that.

This is a photo I took of the faux marble design that was in the countertop...and I thought this specific spot looked like an ocean seascape. Can you see it?

So I started with a 12"x36" canvas on my easel today.

I sketched with graphite and charcoal to outline the seascape. Sketching seascapes is something I've done a lot in my art sketchbooks, and on large paper, but this is the first one I've done like this on canvas.

Then I added in with soft chalk pastels. I wanted to mimic the faux marble design of the soft sketchiness look, but I also wanted to make it a painting.

So next I painted in areas with acrylic paints.

But I still wanted the sketchiness of it, so continued the layers. I outlined more with the soft chalk pastels and charcoal.

And for the final touch (to give it my personal expression) I splattered on top with latex house paint to create some action in the waves.

The Line

c. 2018 Lisa Marten

12x36 mixed media on canvas

(graphite, charcoal, chalk pastel, acrylic paint, latex house paint)

I purposely left the top of this painting unfinished and I call it "The Line" because it's about standing at the edge of uncertainty...or perhaps it's certainty that has yet to be embraced. Looking out past the line of the horizon...contemplating your purpose, your calling, your future...to move forward into the unknown. It's that moment before you step out...before you choose to cross the line and go forward...to take the risk and answer the beckoning call across the water...to be brave and become who you were made to be. The painting is intentionally unfinished because life is unfinished...and there is so much more to experience and be a part of...and that line keeps moving.

Another Window Into My Creative Process in Studio

2018-02-17T22:02:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to document some of my creative process in my studio so you can see the steps I go through to create my paintings.

Today I worked on another painting in my Revelation series. Feel free to check out the post before this one to get some of the back story as to why I'm doing this series and to see the other paintings I've completed so far in the series.

To sum up: I'm creating a painting for each chapter in the Book of Revelation in the Bible. I'm not painting a theological interpretation (don't want to go there), but rather I'm creatively responding to what I've read through my abstract expressionist artist's view. I'm allowing more of a feeling to emote instead of trying to figure out what it all means literally.

This painting is the 10th that I've created (there are 22 chapters).

This was the computer mock up I created to give myself an idea of the direction I wanted to go for the painting (colors and imagery) which is on Chapter 3 (a continuation of the letters to the churches).

Each painting is on a 3 foot by 3 foot gallery wrapped box canvas. For this one, I started out by sketching an outline on the canvas to give myself some direction and shape for the paint.

Here's some video of me sketching.

Then utilizing latex house paints and a large brush I began blocking out the darker areas of the painting.

Here's a video of some of the brushwork.

I continued adding color (with latex house paints) going from dark to light.

Video of more brushwork adding color.

The painting seemed to take on an almost bird like shape. I thought that was fun...but it was no where near being finished.

I continued layering more colors.

Then I began applying acrylic paint thickly with a texture tool.

Here is video of applying the thick acrylic paint.

And then the painting changed and evolved. For a moment I wasn't sure what was taking place.

More texture being applied.

And then it began to come together. More color and some detail areas being painted in brought it back to where it needed to go.

Here is video of some of the color detail being layered in.

Here is video of more drips being intentionally applied.

I continued to work for hours...taking moments to step back and look at the canvas (I took lots of photos so I could get a feel for what it looked like beyond my own eye) and this helped me determine what I needed to do next, where I needed to apply color or texture.

As I found myself at a stopping point with the painting part of the process and needing to move on to the gluing on of the image part of the process I realized that I didn't know which direction I should have the canvas. This happens sometimes, when my abstract background allows for multiple ways the painting can be viewed.

So I turned the canvas to each side to have a look at it to determine which way I wanted to to set the canvas so I could apply the image of the archway to it.

SIDE 1

SIDE 2

SIDE 3

SIDE 4

Intuitively I chose to go with SIDE 4.

I applied the Mod Podge to the back of the paper image I had printed.

Then I applied the image to the canvas and smoothed it out with a small plastic squeegee tool.

Next in the process was to paint the sides black and then spray the surface with a matte fixative.

Here is the finished painting.

rev #3

c. 2018 Lisa Marten

3ft x 3ft mixed media on canvas.

$954.

artist statement

This painting is an abstract expressionist artist's response (not a theological interpretation) to Revelation Chapter 3.

Revelation 3:7-8 says..."See I have opened a door before you that no one can slam shut."

I wanted to depict a door that is always open...beckoning us forward...(notice the tiny white spot in the distance...I see that as the door that is opened that cannot be shut. The archway is just marking the way).

So that is my response to Revelation 3.

I wonder what chapter I'll paint next?!

A Window Into My Creative Process Painting in Studio

2018-02-13T22:33:00.000-07:00

As I entered my studio today I thought you might like a bit of an opportunity to look in and see the process of how I create a large painting. I took some photos and some videos while I created today and thought I'd share them with you here.

My brushes.

Like a chef's knives, they are my tools-an extension of me. I take them with me whenever I travel so that I will be ready to paint whenever the opportunity, and I have my favorites with me-the ones I love and know how they'll work for various needs.

Also present:

Palate knives. Texture tools. Spray Water Bottle. Mod Podge (Matte Medium). Charcoals. Chalk Pastels. Graphite Pencils. Sharpee Markers.

Acrylic Paints.

I create mixed media paintings. Acrylic is one of the main kinds of paints that I use. I like to store my colors in tupperware containers (and I will spray them with water so I can keep them wet for extended periods of time).

Latex House Paints.

This is one of my favorite mediums to utilize. Its' viscosity is brilliant for splatter painting, but I also like to use it just as I would acrylic paints. Most of these cans were donated to me by people getting rid of house paints that were taking up space in their garages. I love paint donations!

Here's a view of about half of my studio (the half that I utilize to do most of the painting). Today I was working on a 3foot by 3 foot gallery wrapped box canvas on my easel.

After I've gotten everything set up I like to put on some music that will inspire the particular painting I'm working on. For this painting I was listening to Housefires song Build My Life.

Quick back story to this painting...

A couple of years ago a friend of mine encouraged me to begin work on a series of paintings that have been turning about in my head for years. I've wanted to paint a series on the Book of Revelation from the Bible. Now I know that the Biblical Book of Revelation has heaps of controversy around it (causing centuries of debates, judgments, arguments, schisms, and instilling fear in many throughout Christendom). It's been the subject of all various theological viewpoints over the ages about the end of time where graphs, charts, outlines, art, and movies have been made to try and explain all the apocalyptic imagery and meaning.

So you're probably wondering why I want to tackle such a task as to create paintings based on the Book of Revelation.

Though many artists have tried, I didn't want to paint some kind of artistic theological interpretation of the Book (as I am not a Biblical scholar and I really have no desire to figure it all out...and personally I don't think it's meant to be figured out, but that's my opinion). Call me a crazy artist...but I'm all about the love...and in my opinion I think it's full of creative imagery (showing the creativity of God) and mystery (I like that I can't figure out what's going on...I like that about God, that I can't figure Him out) that ultimately points to the Love of God for all creation and I find the book to be fascinating and quite exciting actually, so I wanted to create an abstract expressionist artist's response to each chapter.

The following photos and videos are a progression of the painting process...

I first worked on the painting within my computer (I often work on painting concepts this way). This process can take a few hours or several days depending upon what I'm working on. This is a computer mock up that I made as a concept image for the painting I wanted to create as a response to Revelation Chapter 2. The image you see is not meant to be the exact painting I would create...in fact, it can't be because the colorful background is from an image I found on-line (and I don't want to copy another artist's painting). But the combination of the lots of research on the subject matter I'm wanting to paint and express, the colorful background (or backgrounds---sometimes I find several images and layer them on top of each other to create a very unique textured background image), a realistic image that I create in the computer to print out and paste on which helps to pull the painting together (in this case a smooth white rock), and my own flavor of abstract expressionist painting techniques and strokes allows for inspiration to how I want the painting to feel and what colors I might like to utilize.

The first layers of latex house paints in colorful large brush strokes and watery drips.

The next layers of charcoal outlining.

More layers painting in detail within the charcoal lines with latex house paints and acrylic paints.

More definition.

And then once I knew that the background was where it needed to be I glued on the paper image of the smooth white rock to complete the painting.

The final painting.

As you can see it is a little bit like the computer mock up in structure and some of the colors and shapes, but actually it's quite different all together. Artistic inspiration and license within the moment along with collaborating with the paints and mediums, canvas and tools, the research and thought processing, and listening in on the conversation that God is having with me as I paint...it all allows for the painting to evolve and come to life as it needs to.

rev #2

c. 2018 Lisa Marten

3ftx3ft mixed media on canvas

$954

artist statement

This painting is an abstract expressionist artist's response (not a theological interpretation) to Revelation Chapter 2.

Revelation 2:17 says....”whoever has ears let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give that person a white stone with a new name written on it known only to the one who receives it.”

I didn't plan on the background to be a kind of abstract tree...but it as the hours moved along the tree began to form...and so I went with it instead of forcing what I originally had planned (which would've been just an abstract background of shapes and color)...and this is what it turned out to be. I actually think that intuitively it fits PERFECTLY with the concept that Chapter 2 is made up of letters written to churches...and churches are people...and people make up the Body of Christ...and the Body of Christ is like a living breathing tree (a family tree) that each of us gets the opportunity to be a part of if we choose. We really are a part of something that is so much bigger than we are on our own. And we can be grafted into that tree. There is a white stone with a new name for us (He is making all things new)...and who we are is an important part of it all.

So that is my response to Revelation 2.

It joins the other 8 paintings I've created in the series.

There are 22 Chapters...so I have a few more to do!

rev #6

c. 2016 Lisa Marten

3ftx3ft mixed media on canvas.

$954

rev #7

c. 2016 Lisa Marten

3ftx3ft mixed media on canvas

$954

rev #12

c. 2016 Lisa Marten

3ftx3ft mixed media on canvas

SOLD

rev #14

c. 2016 Lisa Marten

3ftx3ft mixed media on canvas

$954

rev #16

c. 2016 Lisa Marten

3ftx3ft mixed media on canvas

$954

rev #19

c. 2016 Lisa Marten

3ftx3ft mixed media on canvas

$954

rev #20

c. 2016 mixed media on canvas

3ftx3ft mixed media on canvas

$954

rev #22

c. 2016 Lisa Marten

3ftx3ft mixed media on canvas

$954

The VineArts Studio...Open Studio for Artists to Create

2018-02-11T10:59:00.002-07:00

I don't know if you know about The VineArts Studio in Garden City (a neighborhood in Boise, Idaho) that is open to the public on Saturdays from Noon to 4pm...but I wanted to let you know about it. It's a space designated for creatives of all types (especially visual artists) to come and hang out and create side by side. It's sponsored by the VineArts Boise which an Art Ministry of the Vineyard Boise Church which is located nearby on Bradley St.,.....you don't have to be a member of Vineyard Boise church or share the same faith to utilize the open studio.

We receive local donations of art supplies to stock the studio. There are paint supplies, drawing supplies, craft supplies, all kinds of art mediums available, and art books for inspiration....all for your utilization to create. Many artists don't have space at home or elsewhere's to create...so this is a way to have some inspirational space (big windows with lots of light) and the opportunity to meet other creatives and build relationships and experience community.

You're invited to join us!

I'm an assistant monitor on the 2nd Saturday of each month...which means I'm there to help if anyone has questions. So perhaps I'll see you some Saturday?

VineArts Studio

4902 W. Chinden Blvd.

Boise, ID 83714

www.vineartsboise.org

(208) 377-1477

Open Studio Hours:

Saturdays Noon-4pm

Admission:

It's free to attend...but if you are able, there's a small suggested donation to help with replenishing supplies that is much appreciated.

Sometimes various art workshops are made available in the studio (for a small fee) taught by local artists, usually held during hours before the Open Studio time. But the actual Open Studio time is for free-form creating...it's not an instructional time.

There is no childcare available...so if you have children under 12 that you bring to the studio, you will need to stay with them and watch over them (help them with their supplies and creations).

Oh and there's free coffee and tea, some snacks for sale, and a refrigerator and microwave if you bring your lunch, and music to listen to while you create....oh and a couch to relax on, and free WiFi.

This is the building that the studio is in.

This is the door that you enter through.

This is a sneak peek at what part of the studio looks like inside.

Some examples of people individually working on art side by side during an Open Studio time:

An example of people working collaboratively with each other in the VineArts Studio:

This photo was taken by Jessie Nilo (the VineArts Founder/Director)...during a VineArts leaders meeting in the VineArts Studio as they were working together on a large stained glass mosaic (so many people got to place pieces in that mosaic over several weeks as it sat in the studio open for people to work on....pastors and staff members of the Vineyard church, VineArts leaders, artists who utilize the VineArts Studio during Open Studio, etc.)

If you're a creative in the Boise area and are in need of some creative space, would like to meet other creatives and connect in community, and want to be inspired...come check the VineArts Studio out!

Oh and VineArts Boise and the VineArts Studio is on Facebook and Instagram...check us out to keep updated on what's happening.

Matters of the HeART...interacting with other artists about creative process that engages

2018-02-10T00:05:00.001-07:00

I really enjoy the creative process...and I really really enjoy getting to know other artists and connecting with them about their creative process that engages their heart and the hearts of those who interact with their work.

My friend, mixed media artist Patrick Slaughter had his first solo art opening tonight at the Front Porch Gallery in Garden City (sponsored by VineArts Boise).

The show is called "matters of the HEART" and will be up from February 9-March 11, 2018 at The Front Porch Gallery, 4902 W. Chinden Blvd., Boise, ID 83714. Open Saturdays Noon-4pm.

Patrick gave a talk about his series of hearts done in mixed media on paper (each depicting an emotional journey) and shared from his own heart about his creative process and inspiration for each of them. His work is real, emotive, and speaks of the human experience. The show is truly moving and I found myself tearing up as I engaged with it.

My friend, abstract artist and singer-songwriter Naomi Psalm (https://www.reverbnation.com/naomipsalm) joined me in my art studio today to creatively collaborate on a painting together.

We have collaborated together through performance art before (working together within Marten Evergreen with artist Lukas Evergreen) but we have never collaborated together to paint on the same canvas, just the 2 of us. We had no plan ahead of time but instead worked intuitively together as we listened to music and conversed while we painted. We used a limited color palate of acrylic paints, along with jute string and tools and techniques to create various textures. Although I've collaborated many times with artists in this way, this was Naomi's first experience painting like this. It was really fun to watch the paint and texture materials, the music and our conversation, guide our paintbrushes and direct our movement.

I think we both found this to be a fun experience together and were pleased with the outcome.

INTERSECT

c. 2018 Naomi Psalm and Lisa Marten

24x30 mixed media on canvas

(acrylic paint, jute string)

I'm on another ART ADVENTURE

2018-01-19T20:31:00.000-07:00

Face The Waves

c. 2014 Lisa Marten

18x24 mixed media on canvas.

acrylic paint, latex house paint, paper, ink on canvas

Original Not For Sale.

Prints Available For Sale (see tab at top for size/price list).

I'm on another art adventure for the next couple of weeks, this time in the middle of the Pacific. I travel quite often around the world connecting in relationship with different cultures and communities through creativity. This trip I'm on Maui connecting with people and doing art. If you're on Maui right now, I'll be painting live this Sunday evening January 21, 2018 at Ke Aha Vineyard church (4pm-6:30pm. 349 Hanakai St., Ste. A, Kahului, HI 96732. 808-264-1759).

EPHPHATHA: a New Years Creative Collaboration

2018-01-01T21:46:00.001-07:00

I love collaboration!

I'm used to painting live during church worship services at various churches (either accompanying the music or the pastor's sermon or the entire service).

I'm used to performing live (along with artist Lukas Evergreen) with our performance art company MARTEN EVERGREEN (creating choreographed pieces that include dance, painting, music, and spoken word) for city art events, fundraiser events, and private events.

But recently I had the honor of being asked to be a part of a creative collaboration unlike anything I've experienced so far.

I joined a small team of creatives from Vineyard Boise Church (a missions pastor and dancer: Terra Montford, an accountant and director: Beth Routhier, a soil expert and refugee pastor: Chris Trump, a film maker: Brandon Freeman, a few musicians: Jeremiah Carlson, Jared Nilo, Jake Nielsen, Brian Hodges, and a senior pastor: Trevor Estes) to create an intimate environment for people to engage personally with a specific text of the Bible that speaks of freedom (Mark 7:31-37).

I was asked to dramatically perform to an audio recording and the performance would be a visual illustration of what the pastor would be speaking about from the text and asking people to connect personally in their own lives. It would be going beyond the literal of the text to express visually through abstraction what most of us have experienced in life...and perhaps are experiencing....but through a literal concept.

And this would be a performance without any paint...it would be just me responding with movement and expression.

the conversation:

the text that sets the story:

the performance:

the stages: childhood, adolescence, adulthood, elderly.

the voices: speaking negative criticisms to who i am, speaking wounding lies about who i am, speaking what i believe about myself through the negative criticisms and lies.

the actions: choosing to pick up the chains of colored fabrics and carry them (representing the negative criticisms and lies that bind up and weight me with burdens).

the action: choosing to enter the cage (representing complete bondage, surrender, and despair to low self esteem, insecurities, fears, negativity, and a mindset that is self defeating.

the action: crying out to the only One who can truly transform my mind and heart and bring renewal and freedom, God responds with the word "Ephphatha!" which means "Be Opened!" and the cage wall crashes down with a loud bang. I am released from my own bondage of choice to take in and believe lies about myself that has kept me captive.

the action: i choose to be released from my fears, my insecurities, and all the negative messages that have kept me in darkness (i take off the chains of colored fabrics). i let go of my bonds and walk out of the cage into a new beginning of hope and love with gratitude and worship.

What a great way to end 2017 and begin 2018...letting go and entering a new beginning.

the video:

video and stills by J.K.Downer

Thank you to all who were a part of this collaboration.

Thank you to all who took photos and video and prayed and supported those of us who were a part of this collaboration. There has been a great deal of positive feedback from those who attended the services and those who were watching the live video feed on-line, from people who really were able to connect and engage on a deep personal level because of the performance and who found freedom and hope within their own inner battles of the mind and heart.

To that I say:

Let's be intentional with how we speak to ourselves and others and how we choose to live.

May 2018 be a year of new beginnings! a year of freedom and release!

Ephphatha! Be Opened!

Love Well

2017-12-12T16:29:00.002-07:00

Confession time: So last week I was hand writing Christmas cards (a lot of them) and (long story short) after several hours in the same hunched position at a desk on an uncomfortable chair gripping a pen and repetitively writing intently (because I really wanted to intentionally bless people this holiday season with hand written cards of my artwork and I was determined to finish them all in one day so I could free up my busy schedule to have more time for fun festive outings with friends and family-this was my own deadline of doom-and I didn't listen to my body that it was fatigued and needing to rest-truly there was no rush or need to push myself the way I did...I didn't allow for the ebb and flow and the unforced rhythms of grace)...I managed to injure my right shoulder, arm, and hand (my dominate hand)...so bad that I was writhing in pain (like scary sharp knife pain radiating from shoulder to wrist). My muscles were so inflamed that they pinched off nerves (my hand went numb). This resulted in such intense pain (I have a high pain threshold so for me to be brought to screams and tears is a big deal) that I needed a trip to the ER for a shot (if you know me you know that I never go to the ER and very rarely go to to the doctor due to being fairly healthy and not needing to but also due to I don't have insurance). It was scary for a couple of days. As a result of my stubbornness and self inflicted injury I've been rendered "armless" for almost a week as I've had to let my right shoulder, arm, and hand rest. This means...no lifting, no normal functioning, no driving, and cancelled busy schedule. Thankfully due to an emergency massage, lots of prayers, lots of TLC from my mom, and me actually learning to listen to my body and letting it rest, I am on the mend and I don't think any permanent damage has been done. Needless to say...I've had lots of time to think about the error of my ways and I'm reconciled to be good to myself, implement different ways of getting work done, listen to my body when it needs rest, and taking breaks (as an experiential abstract expressionist painter that is very lively and active physically when I work and also very intently focused...my body is fully engaged in all that I do and over the last couple of years it has been telling me with increasing intensity that it has limitations...my feet, my hips, my back, and now my shoulder and arm). I'm still in need of learning to love well...even with myself. I got the message this time. Lesson learned. I'm listening. So here I am (no worries this post has taken about an hour to try and type carefully...I'm still recovering), learning to be intentional..even with myself...it's a process. I wanted to share this with you...cuz I'm all about the LOVE. Happy Holidays and Much Love my friends! Let's be good to ourselves. #stayhuman #beintentional #lovemuchlovewell #takeyourowncounselLisa #begoodtoyou #ebbandflow #theunforcedrhythmsofgrace #muchaloha

Registration is OPEN

2017-11-22T16:10:00.001-07:00

ATTENTION CREATIVES:

The NEW WEBSITE IS ACTIVE and REGISTRATION IS OPEN for the June 7-10, 2018 REFLECT: CONFERENCE FOR THE ARTS held in Boise, Idaho (formerly known as The Creative Church Conference in Boise).

GO TO: cometoreflect.com to learn more about REFLECT and to REGISTER for the 2018 Conference in Boise.

This would be a great Christmas gift to a creative you may know (or for yourself!)

3 Reasons to register early:

1) space is limited, as we're holding the conference in a more intimate, smaller setting

2) it will probably be our last arts conference in Boise for a few years, as we aim to expand this conference to multiple cities around the United States after 2018

3) our hotel discount and childcare have earlier cutoff dates this year, so don't delay (and the registration cost will increase 3 weeks before the conference)

Our 2018 Speakers/Artists are:

Scott Erickson (Live Painter-Portland, OR)

http://scottericksonart.com/about/

Andrew Nemr (Tap Artist-New York City, NY)

http://www.andrewnemr.com

Marlita Hill (Choreographer-Los Angeles, CA)

http://marlitahill.com/about/

Michael Gatlin (Pastor and Artist-Duluth, MN)

https://duluthvineyard.org/staff/michael-gatlin/

Justin Nielsen (Music Instructor-Boise, ID)

https://www.facebook.com/singmusicacademy/

Kobe Watkins Grouptet (Musicians-Chicago, IL)

www.kobiewatkins.com

Dave Blakeslee (Pastor and Potter-Salida, CO)

http://www.blakesleepottery.com

Rick Jenkins (Potter-Boise, ID)

http://www.boiseopenstudios.com/rick-jenkins-ceramics/

Dean Estes (Sculptor and Painter-Boise, ID)

Travis and Kathy Nelson (Writers/Poets/Photographers/Artists-Boise, ID)

Jessie Nilo (Visual Artist/Designer/Illustrator, Founder/Director of VineArts Boise and Art Fruition and REFLECT Conference for the Arts-Boise, ID)

http://vineartsboise.org

http://artfruition.com

(along with several other Artists, Musicians, Art Ministers, Pastors, Prayer Ministers, Creatives and Volunteers, who will be teaching workshops, volunteering, catering, interceding and creating an amazing 4 day experience for us all)

GO TO: cometoreflect.com and register today!

You Count Far More (part 2)

2017-11-04T22:17:00.000-06:00

Thank you to all who were able to come to Gallery Coffee House in Meridian to experience the opening of my art exhibit "Discovery"! It was a wonderful afternoon filled deep meaning as we connected together in community through collaborative art, food and drink, and lots of great conversations! I appreciate each one of you! Thank you for coming to experience my art and hear my story, for sharing your hearts with me and for your hugs and laughs and tears. Thank you for taking the time to enter a sacred space together...creatively.

Once again, for me...it wasn't just about the art...it was about you! I thoroughly enjoyed getting to see each of you who stopped by (whether for just a moment or for a length of time to hang out)....you are all so beautiful to me!

Thank you for joining me in the conversation!

You count far more!

The paintings in this exhibit have been created over the period of a year, during which I have been exploring a deeper understanding and journey of discovery as an adult being born with a physical disability and on the autistic spectrum. Through this time of exploration of how I’ve been made and wired, I’ve dove into the emotions of facing my limitations and fears and at the same time challenged myself to move forward towards brave possibilities. Painting has been a voice for my processing and a way to relate to myself and the world around me. I’ve created paintings in a series titled “Hands and Feet” that directly correlate with my discovery. Much of what is dealt with in the paintings here in this exhibit titled “Discovery” have to do with the actual processing (what I found myself going through and experiencing in order for me to fully embrace what I have been learning about myself at deeper levels. I’m excited to share this work with you.

“Layer Exploring”

24x30 mixed media on canvas

Original For Sale $636. Prints Available in various sizes (pre-order/pre-pay.

This painting explains the process of self discovery. Each layer is important and adds to the next. The entirety makes up the whole.

“Listen”

24x30 mixed media on canvas

Original For Sale $636. Prints Available in various sizes (pre-order/pre-pay).

This painting is about the unforced rhythms of grace that allow for the pause in life that gives space to hear my own voice from within.

“The Time We’re Given”

24x30 mixed media on canvas

Original For Sale $636. Prints Available in various sizes (pre-order/pre-pay).

This painting asks me: What will I choose to do with the time I’m given? Who will I choose to be?

“See”

24x30 mixed media on canvas

Original For Sale $636. Prints Available in various sizes (pre-order/pre-pay).

This painting is about being able to look beyond what I might find as distractions in order to truly see the heart of the matter.

“The Broken Way”

24x30 mixed media on canvas

Original For Sale $636. Prints Available in various sizes (pre-order/pre-pay).

This painting is about the hard road that requires me to let go of the things that I hold onto so tightly. To be open.

“Lean Into the Spin”

24x30 mixed media on canvas

Original For Sale $636. Prints Available in various sizes (pre-order/pre-pay).

This painting is about learning not to fight or fear the spin of the process of self discovery.

“The Road You Take”

24x30 mixed media on canvas

Original For Sale $636. Prints Available in various sizes (pre-order/pre-pay).

This painting is about facing my fears when I feel lost and things seem like they’re slipping out from under me.

“Face the Waves”

Original Not For Sale. 16x20 giclee print on canvas For Sale $159. Prints available in various sizes (pre-order/pre-pay).

I created this painting out of an experience

I had learning to surf. Using the analogy of

aligning the board directly at the wave, It’s

all about facing fears head on.

“Luminous Extension”

24x30 mixed media on canvas

Original For Sale $636. Prints Available in various sizes (pre-order/pre-pay).

This painting reminds me to not isolate. We’re all connected and we all need each other to burn brighter in the darkness.