Painting on People's Lives with Words: A Night with Dean Estes

 At this month's ENVISION meeting, founder Sherri Coffield introduced us to sculptor/painter/teacher/mentor Dean Estes. What does it mean to be an "art minister"? Dean shared with us stories dedicated to speaking life into people in creative ways and how creativity can be a language to speak that life.

 Dean (wearing the hat) interviewed myself and Chad Estes (his son who is a writer and photographer) about how we reach people through creativity. Chad shared with us how he connects with people and tells their stories through photography and I shared some about how I travel doing art ministry and also connect with people through peformance art.

 Chris White and Sam Flowers added some atmosphere to the evening with some hand drum rhythm while singer Iris Gallegos sang some acapella songs.

 Dean demonstrated to us through visual art what it's like when we paint on people's lives with words. Many times we don't know how our words can affect others, but if our hearts are focused on encouraging and inspiring others we can make a difference. Dean painted an image upside down on a large canvas with both hands (challenging himself to work without knowing the outcome).

 Then Dean turned the canvas rightside up. Myself and Jessie Nilo (art teacher/founder of VineArts) came forward and painted together on the canvas. We had not planned ahead of time what we were going to paint, we worked side by side spontaneously working off of each other. We added color and texture to bring the image to life. This was a representation of how we can be influential in each other's lives. Oftentimes we're not the only one who gets to speak life, we work together in collaboration.

 After we finished, Mike Freeman (teacher/pastor/writer) joined in to complete the painting by including the Hebrew word for "soul" (this is what happens once life is spoken into someone...life is breathed into the soul).

Here is the final painting created in collaboration...a demonstration of painting on people's lives with words. This is allowing creativity to be the language of life.

photos by Jessie Nilo and Chele Shepherd

Art Project Boise

I got the opportunity to attend the latest meeting for an artist collaborative group called Art Project Boise. The group, founded by artist Candy Wilson, has been meeting for two years for the purpose of creating community amongst artists by getting to know each other, sharing ideas, and working together on projects. It's made up of numerous artists representing all styles and mediums. I've said it before and I'll say it again...I love, love, love when I see artists choosing to do something completely against their nature to isolate and taking the risk to get out of their comfort zone and join together for the purpose of community. We can learn so much from each other. We can be so much more together.

ART PROJECT BOISE
meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month
6:30pm at The Crux (1022 W. Main, Boise)
About the Group:
An inspirational springboard group designed for artists. We meet, we mingle, we share our work and information about events and opportunities within the art community. Open to all visual artists, musicians, dancers, writers...any creative medium. No limits: photography, painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, mosaics, jewelry, multi-media, music, culinary arts, dance, dramatic performances, writing...all are welcome.

Mission:
To develop an open network of artists, in hopes of further developing skills and ideas, and providing support to one another in the name of creativity.
Overview:
Art Project Boise is a group of artists who meet on a monthly basis to share our work and ideas with like-minded people. Each month, the group establishes a theme word, which provides the inspiration for the artists' creativity. The following month, the artists meet to share their creative endeavors, and decide on the theme for the following month. All creative mediums, levels of expertise and ages are invited to join.
Description:
Please keep in mind that we do not practice censorship. Although we encourage you to share your work and events, this is not a business networking group, but rather a social gathering.
We invite you to share our page on Facebook and meetings with your fellow creative friends. If you are not in the Boise area or are unable to attend the monthly meetings, feel free to participate in the projects and share your work with the group on Facebook.