BORN OF FIRE

I just finished this painting titled "BORN OF FIRE". It's a 26x36 mixed media abstract on canvas. It's my version of the Phoenix. I've had this painting in my head for several weeks now. It's been speaking to me from the depths of my heart. It represents my spirit coming alive...through challenges and conflicts, struggles and storms. It is through the fire that life can be appreciated and experienced with true joy and freedom...to be fully alive!

Deep and Wide

Here is the new sanctuary stage backdrop for Boise Vineyard church. It was unveiled this last Sunday June 6th. The meaning behind it is all about the Kingdom of God...letting our growth in love to go deep and wide.

Psalm 1:3 says that a person who loves God and His Word "is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither; whatever he does prospers." Jesus said in Mark 12, "To love God with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."...in other words, the Kingdom of God is all about LOVE.

This backdrop will be up for about 9 months as the pastors take the congregation through the Gospel book of Mark.

I had the beautiful honor of being a part of a group of 15 VineArts artists who worked together to come up with the design, 6 artists who co-created to bring it to life on the 3 canvas panels (each 11x18 feet), and 6 artists who painted on it during worship at 2 morning services.

"It's a live oak tree, roots digging deep and branches sprawling wide. The cross and the tree are one. It's important for the roots to go deep first, followed by the branches going wide in compassionate works. Without first being grounded in Christ, our human efforts to love people will fail every time."

Throughout the 9 months the artists of VineArts will continue to add more to it at various key moments to illustrate the Word coming to life.

sweep me away

"sweep me away" 34x57 mixed media on board c. 2010 Lisa Marten

this is my new "hybrid" mixed media painting combining one of my impressionistic oil landscape paintings with abstract collage expressionism. this painting has been long in coming. it feels so good to finally get it out of my head & heart. it has everything to do with letting God take your hand, hold you, lead you, and sweep you away into his heart, his mercy, his grace, his forgiveness, his healing, his comfort, his peace, his passion, his freedom, his love. it's about letting go. it's about release. it's about trust. may you let him gently wash over your heart and your life.

suddenly I feel you holding me.
sweep me away.
suddenly I feel your hand in mine.
sweep me away.
suddenly I feel you leading me.
sweep me away.
suddenly I feel your heart in mine.
sweep me away.

-Charlie Hall "Sweep Me Away" from the album Passion: Our Love is Loud

June Art Show

For the month of June 2010 my art is being featured at LUX Fashion Lounge in Boise. LUX is a new/used clothing store that sits in the heart of downtown Boise. I have 7 multi media pieces on display & for sale. The walls inside are painted red, so my abstracts really pop! Last night (during the city's First Thursday Art Walk) was the opening for my show. I was warmly blessed that several friends came out for it. It's been a few years since I've had an art show downtown and I am really excited to be back out there with my art...this time showing my abstracts!

LUX Fashion Lounge

785 W. Idaho Street

Boise, ID 83702