VineArts Gallery Exhibit: Deep + Wide: Kingdom Breaking In

I've had the amazing honor of being the VineArts Gallery Installation Coordinator for several years now. I have a wonderful team of volunteers who work side by side with me to install our quarterly themed & juried exhibits. We open it up to all creative hearts who would like to submit artwork (of all various mediums). We've had artists from all over Idaho, the nation, and even the world submit to our gallery. We charge no entry fee. This is a gallery open to the professional and the emerging artist. We desire to connect art with people's hearts as a way of connecting with our Creator. If you're interested in our gallery exhibits and would like to know more about how to submit art you can go to the VineArts website: www.vineartsboise.org

Here is a short video of our opening reception for the new VineArts Gallery Exhibit: Deep + Wide: Kingdom Breaking In. We just installed this new art show that includes around 40 entries from around 30 artists from all over the Treasure Valley here in Idaho (and even Texas!) utilizing a variety of mediums and techniques. The theme of the show allowed artists to engage with and respond to the current sermon series at Boise Vineyard studying the book of Mark. The exhibit explores putting down deep spiritual roots through worship, prayer, and scripture, so that we’re empowered to reach out wide in loving, serving, and healing others.

Happy Birthday Jackson Pollock!

"Happy Birthday Jackson Pollock (1912 – 1956)! The pioneer of Abstract Expressionism, Pollock challenged the artistic tradition of using an easel and brush by pouring and dripping paint onto canvases, creating groundbreaking works with a childlike quality which belied their stunning complexity and sophistication. Influenced by Picasso, Miró, and the Surrealists, Pollock revolutionized a style of painting in which the work has no identifiable parts or point of emphasis (abandoning the traditional idea of composition), painted with a stream-of-consciousness technique called psychic automatism. Driven by inner torment which compelled him to paint, Pollock attached large canvases to the floor, densely pouring, dripping and flinging paint (sometimes embedded with sand or glass) onto them with intense physical movement. This allover manner of Action painting was believed by artists and critics alike to result in a direct expression of the unconscious moods of the artist, leaving interpretation of the work created subject to widely varying interpretations. More than half a century after his death, Pollock's art continues to intrigue and inspire." ~Art.com

a Night to Remember

The Woman of Steel Gallery in Boise is featuring my art for a couple of months and last night was the opening party. The event was called "Art & Elegance". Along with my abstract expressionist mixed media paintings on the walls and metal sculptor & owner Irene Deely's metal artworks & a few other pieces from local artists throughout the gallery...there was live music & dancing. catered hors d'oeuvres. a wine bar. a cigar room. and lots of people who came to support the arts.

My 3 piece series titled "Have Your Way". acrylic, latex house paints, & paper on cardboard. Each piece is 26x30 and is priced at $600 each.

Here is my piece titled "Circumcision". latex house paints. acrylic. paper. objects. It is a 36x48 canvas and is priced at $900. The two pieces to the right of it are both 11x14 canvas. The middle one is titled "Water of Life" and the one on the right is titled "Alive". They are both priced at $150 each.

This piece is titled "Strong Tower" and is 16x20 canvas. oil. acrylic. latex house paint. paper. objects. stone. It is priced at $300.

There was a live band playing music for all to enjoy. Here they are bringing us some jazzy tunes in front of 3 of my paintings. The painting on the left is title "Change" and is a 24x36 canvas priced at $700. oil. acrylic. latex house paint. paper. The large painting in the center is titled "Holy" and is a 40x50 framed canvas priced at $1000. oil. acrylic. latex house paint. paper.

I enjoyed being able to mingle and meet people. Many I knew, but others I didn't know and it was wonderful to chat and experience a night of culture together.

Sometimes I love being incognito as people interact and engage with the art.

Here are some of my fellow VineArts artists enjoying the evening together.

Irene (the beautiful lady in the center of the photo facing forward) has such a unique and atmospheric art gallery. It allows for large events like this but creates an intimate setting for all to enjoy.

Cheers!!!!

What a night to remember! Thank you all who came out to the party to celebrate! I feel very loved and supported!

FOR NARNIA!!!!

i love to read stories. and i love to paint. and i really love when reading stories and painting converge. i recently was hired to paint 3 murals in the childrens section of a bookstore. the murals were scenes from the popular fantasy series "The Chronicles of Narnia" by C.S.Lewis (which i have read and have seen the movies). i really connected emotionally with this commission as each brush stroke playfully brought the story to life. it warms my heart to know that my work will perhaps help many connect with stories that can take them to far away places (that aren't much further than their own hearts). sigh.
the wardrobe: a portal into the land of Narnia...with Mr. Tumnus waiting by the Lamppost for the arrival of the sons of Adam & daughters of Eve.

the Kings & Queens of Narnia (Queen Susan, King Edmund, King Peter, & Queen Lucy) taking to battle with Aslan the Lion by their side.

the White Witch in her chariot being pulled by large polar bears. she's charging to battle against the Narnians.

a close up of Aslan roaring. can you hear it? are you ready? ..."he's not safe. but he's good."

The Woman of Steel Gallery: Art & Elegance Event

I have the amazing honor of being the featured artist for an event at The Woman of Steel Gallery in Boise. Metal sculptor & owner of the Woman of Steel Gallery, Irene Deely, has hand selected 10 of my abstract expressionist mixed media paintings to be on display & for sale in her gallery for 2 months....beginning with a public art event she calls "Art & Elegance".

Art & Elegance: Features Artist Lisa Marten
Tuesday, January 18 · 7:00pm - 11:30pm
$5 at the door.

Woman of Steel Gallery
3640 Chinden Blvd.
Garden City, ID
http://www.womanofsteelgallery.com/

"Interesting people, great aperitifs, good conversations, beautiful music and intriguing art gives a fabulous reason to dress up & linger at Woman of Steel's unique gallery. The cigar lounge invites intimate conversations while the gallery offers space for dancing wine tasting & nibbling on a scrumptious light buffet selection. We look forward to repeating last month's stylish gathering with prizes for "Best Dressed". Rex & Beverly return with their elegant music. $5 at the door."~Irene Deely.