all about LOVE

This site is about my art. I'm not one to normally post about my political views here or anywhere else for that matter. I don't like getting into debates or heated discussions with people (it's just not who I am). And I respect everyone's perspective, beliefs, and points of view...always trying my best to listen, understand, and love from the heart (especially if we don't agree on something).

So please understand, though this post will reveal something about me that I don't normally share in public, it's not meant to be anything else other than to share with you another opporutnity I had to love through creativity. I can't help but share the heart behind what I got to participate in this week by being able to paint live at a dear friends' fundraiser. This was all about love.

This week I had the priviledge to paint live during the 2013 Stanton Healthcare Spring Banquet themed "Building a Legacy of Life: Going Mobile". The non-profit healthcare organization was celebrating a new mobile unit to do free ultrasounds for women seeking help at the time of pregnancy.

The 2013 Stanton Healthcare Banquet was held at The Riverside Hotel in Boise.

There were over 480 people who gathered to support Stanton Healthcare and help raise funds for the coming year. People from the clergy, business, foundations, political (local & national), medical, entertainment arenas were present. But the honored guests were the Stanton Healthcare clients themselves. They are the real story here. The practical love that Stanton pours out to them blows my mind!

This is me with my good friend, the Founder and President of Stanton Healthcare, Brandi Swindell. The work she does in the political and medical arenas on a local level and on a national level for women and children and human rights is cutting edge and making history for our nation...all motivated by her heart to love people with the love of God. And that is Brandi in a nutshell...a lover of people (especially those who are broken and faced with difficult circumstances & decisions. she walks side by side with them, never judging or giving up on them, always embracing and helping).

 This is me with the Rev. Patrick Mahoney,

Director of The Christian Defense Coalition, Washington DC.

Rev. Mahoney was the Master of Ceremonies at the banquet.

This is a photo taken of me painting live during the banquet. I started out with a canvas that I had pre-textured with venetian plaster to create the look of a womb. I then layered paper images, words, and paint. I incorporated the Stanton flower logo into it.

The center image of the baby in the womb is a print of a sketch I did for the book:

"Formation Generation" by Robert M. Kurz (a book about praying through the developmental stages of your unborn chld. I illustrated it with over 30 original sketches) published in 2009 by Tate Publishing (you can find it on Amazon.com). This book is endorsed by Brandi Swindell and Rev. Patrick Mahoney and given to Stanton Healthcare clients.

Once I was finished creating, I invited some of the Stanton Healthcare clients and their babies to dip their hands into fingerpaints and imprint onto the painting (allowing them to become a part of the creating process). The painting (which is representing the precious creation of each of us by God, through being knit together in our mother's womb) has Scripture and other imagery and quotes about the development of the unborn child layered throughout the background.

The painting was later auctioned off to the highest bidder. It became a bidding war and in the end the painting sold for $3,250! All the monies were donated to Stanton Healthcare and the winner redonated the painting to Stanton so it can hang in the clinic as a beautiful memory and testimony of loving people.

"I knew you before you were born"

created live at Stanton Healthcare Banquet 2013

by abstract expressionist artist, Lisa Marten

30x40 mixed media on canvas

sold for $3,250 (all donated to Stanton Healthcare)

Stanton Healthcare is: a 501C3. founded by Brandi Swindell (Founder&President).
It runs with over 150 volunteers (medical, administrative, clerical, client advocacy/counseling, client services/practical needs, legal services, accounting services, event planning&coordination, development, resource identification, community outreach, childbirth education, sexual integrity education&information, parenting education).
Stanton Healthcare provides: free and confidential services: early detection pregnancy verification (no charge), limited obstetrical ultrasounds (no charge), life-affirming options counseling, first trimester pregnancy care, client advocacy, child birth/parenting education, maternity&baby supplies, adoption information, annual spa day, practical assistance, post abortion exams&support, sexual integrity program, referrals for OB/GYN care&STD testing, housing assistance&legal advice.
The mission of Stanton Healthcare: to offer life-affirming options and resources to abortion vulnerable women; provide hope to those struggling from the pain of a past abortion; and share the messsage of sexual integrity with this emerging generation-in a professional environment that promotes physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.
The vision of Stanton Healthcare: to make the womb a safer place to live by making Stanton Healthcare "The Right CHOICE for Women."
Stanton Healthcare is located at: 3684 N. Harbor Ln., Boise, ID 83703 (next door to Planned Parenthood)
For more info on Stanton Healthcare: www.StantonHealthcare.org


It truly was an honor to love out of creativity to people who really are all about loving from the heart. I am thankful for the opportunity and am so excited that the painting sold for such a high price to help benefit the clients of Stanton.

As the Founder & President of Stanton is quoted to say:
"Hearts are being changed and lives are being saved. Babies that might have had their lives ended are being given life and women are finding hope-and that's amazing! Stanton is about teamwork and counting on each other to provide the best possible care to women faceing unexpected pregnancies. Through ultrasounds and 18 month support program (at no charge) our clients and their babies get a chance at a brighter future. Our goal is to be the first choice for every abortion vulnerable woman in our area facing an unexpected pregnancy. For those women, we want to be the first resource that comes to their mind. With our professional and compassionate care-and most of all-our love for them, they'll find peace and strength. Let's continue to stand together to build a legacy of LIFE." -Brandi Swindell