Love Well

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

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)

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.

Loving Vincent

I don't usually write movie reviews here...but this movie is near and dear to my heart. As I've expressed before...Vincent Van Gogh has been a painter that has inspired my work from the start...so when I heard they were making this ground breaking artistic movie about his life I knew I would need to see it. 

If you haven't heard of the film "Loving Vincent" yet...I want to let you know about it. I was able to see it last night here in Boise, Idaho at one of our local theaters that shows independent and foreign films. The movie (about Dutch post impressionist/pre-expressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh) is  nothing like I've ever seen or experienced before. It was breathtaking and delightful, it was also suspenseful and heart wrenching. Yes...it did make this artist cry. 

"Loving Vincent" is a the world's first fully painted film (65,000 frames on over a 1000 canvases by a team of 100 painters working in studios in Poland and Greece taking close to 6 years to complete the project, shooting the film with actors first and then literally painting over it frame by frame). And let me tell you...after experiencing the film...it's like you get to be IN Vincent's paintings the entire 90 minutes. 

"Loving Vincent" is also the tragic story of the death of Vincent, addressing the mystery around what actually happened and why. The acting, the filming, the painting, the story...it draws you in and captivates you like any stellar drama will. I'm guessing this movie will be up for some Academy Awards next year. 

HERE IS THE TEASER TRAILER FOR IT:

Loving Vincent - Official Trailer 2016 from Visual Atelier 8 on Vimeo.

HERE IS THE THEATRICAL TRAILER FOR IT: 

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INTERNATIONALLY GROUND BREAKING ARTISTIC FILM ABOUT ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST INFLUENTIAL ARTISTS: http://lovingvincent.com/the-movie,3,pl.html


TO CHECK OUT THE U.S. OPENING DATES, THEATERS, TIMES and if it's coming to a theater near you:  http://us.lovingvincent.com

Gallery Coffee House Art Exhibit Opening in November

I'm the featured artist for November 2017 at Gallery Coffee House (1103 N. Main St. Meridian, ID) and I'm having an Opening Reception on Saturday November 4 from 2pm to 5pm.

Like the diversity of the brushes and tools I utilize to create, we are all important in our uniqueness of who we are and valued within the conversation as we speak into each others' lives. 

Join me for an afternoon of coffee, conversation, and collaborative art. There will be lots of opportunity to view my new artwork, as we connect together in community. And don't forget there's great coffee, tea, smoothies, and snacks that Gallery Coffee has to offer, so know you'll be taken care of. 

Examples of my new work that you will see exhibited:

Left Photo: "Lean Into The Spin" 24x30 mixed media on canvas. This painting is about learning not to fight or fear the spin of the process of self discovery. 

Right Photo: "Layer Exploring" 24x30 mixed media on canvas. This painting explains the process of self discovery. Each layer is important and adds to the next. The entirety makes up the whole. 

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. 

You Count Far More

photo credit: Jennifer Metts

photo credit: Jennifer Metts

photo credit: Erv Marten

photo credit: Erv Marten

It was a night of artistic inspiration!

Thank you to all who were able to come to Awakenings Coffee House in Boise to experience the opening of my art exhibit "Hands and Feet"! It was a wonderful night of live painting, live music, creative collaboration, food and drink, and lots of great conversations as we all connected in community together! 

For me...it wasn't just about the art...it was about you! I wish I had gotten a photo of all of you when I turned around to look at you after we finished performing...you were all so beautiful! 

You count far more! 

Thank you for sharing in this night with me!

Look At The Ravens: YOU Count Far More

c. 2017 Lisa Marten. $636

24x30 acrylic paint, charcoal, chalk pastel, graphite on canvas

painted live at Awakenings Coffee House in Boise to the music of Jake Nielsen

The paintings in this exhibit were created over a 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’m excited to share some of it with you through this work.  

"Reach" 

24x30 mixed media on canvas. Original Not For Sale. 

Prints Available For Sale in various sizes/prices (Pre-Order/Pre-Pay).

This painting is the result of processing the unique ways my brain and my body are wired together, being on the autistic  spectrum, and learning how to play to my strengths and weaknesses. 

"Get Up And Walk" 

24x30 mixed media on canvas. Original Not For Sale. 

Prints Available For Sale in various sizes/prices (Pre-Order/Pre-Pay).

This painting is the result of coming to terms with being born disabled with both feet clubbed along with hip problems that  continue to affect movement even with medical treatment and correction. 

  “When You Walk Into The Room”

  24x30 mixed media on canvas. Original $636. 

Prints Available For Sale in various sizes/prices (Pre-Order/Pre-Pay).

  This painting is an expression of the unknown of what awaits beyond the open door of the journey that is layer exploring 

  within and the challenge that it is to trust the process.  

“Balance”

24x30 mixed media on canvas. Original $636. 

Prints Available For Sale in various sizes/prices (Pre-Order/Pre-Pay).

This painting expresses that feeling of the delicate balancing act when the storms of inner and outer life hit and darkness and  depression push and pull, while trying to have some kind of, any kind of movement forward. 

  “Dive Deep”

  24x30 mixed media on canvas. Original $636. 

Prints Available For Sale in various sizes/prices (Pre-Order/Pre-Pay).

  This painting is about the brave-heart passion and determination to hope that compels past the fear and the nay-sayers and

  the self inflicted doubt and can only be expressed in an all or nothing kind of way.  

  “Life Sounds Like”

  24x30 mixed media on canvas. Original $636. 

Prints Available For Sale in various sizes/prices (Pre-Order/Pre-Pay).

  This painting came about after a time of learning the importance of the unforced rhythms of grace…to pause, to rest, to

  breathe, to listen. 

  “Collaboration Convergence”

  24x30 mixed media on canvas. Original $636. 

Prints Available For Sale in various sizes/prices (Pre-Order/Pre-Pay).

  This painting is a result of recognizing that just as connecting in community human to human and reaching out in love is a

  process that promotes understanding and solidarity, so does coming to terms with and allowing for all that is who I am to be  

  united in grace, mercy, peace and love. 

New Paintings and Prints Available

I've got some new paintings available for sale and available for pre-order/pre-pay prints. If you're interested in purchasing, please contact me at: revelatorart@yahoo.com

"I Will Rise I Will Fly"

c. 2017 Lisa Marten

24x36 mixed media on canvas.

Original Not For Sale. 

Prints Available for order in various sizes.

"Fire My Spirit"

c. 2017 Lisa Marten

24x36 mixed media on canvas.

Original $742. 

Prints Available for order in various sizes.

"The Time We're Given"

c. 2017 Lisa Marten

24x30 mixed media on canvas.

Original $636. 

Prints Available for order in various sizes.

"The Road You Take"

c. 2017 Lisa Marten

24x30 mixed media on canvas.

Original $636. 

Prints Available for order in various sizes.

"Lean Into the Spin"

c. 2017 Lisa Marten

24x30 mixed media on canvas.

Original $636. 

Prints Available for order in various sizes. 

Very Last revelatorART T-Shirt Order is Happening Now!

I am running ONE LAST revelatorART T-Shirt Order for anyone who is interested in ordering a special tank top or t-shirt with my logo on it. 

The profit from the purchase of a tank top or t-shirt goes towards the art ministry trips I take around the world to connect cross-culturally with people through creativity. Know that your purchase will be part of the creative conversation!

I will no longer be offering this kind of merchandise orders after this. So this will be your last chance to own a one of kind comfortable revelatorART tank top or t-shirt. 

This is PRE-ORDER/PRE-PAY. 

If you would like to order, please email me at: revelatorart@yahoo.com and let me know what you would like to order (tank or t-shirt, color, size, quantity). Please include your shipping address if shipping is required. I will message you back with the total cost (will include Idaho sales tax, and if shipping is required I will include shipping cost=minimum $5) and the address to send a check to. 

All orders and money are due to me by  Tuesday October 31, 2017. 

Your order will be ready by mid November. These will make great gifts for the holidays! 

Here are your choices to choose from. All product is unisex sizing, so I recommend for women to order a size smaller than usual. 

American Apparel Unisex Tank Top 

Tri-blend Coffee

Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL

Price: $21.20 (includes tax)

American Apparel Unisex Tank Top

Tri-blend Black

Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL

Price: $21.20 (includes tax)

Bella + Canvas Unisex T-Shirt

Tri-blend Brown

Sizes: XS, S, M

Price: $21.20 (includes tax)

Bella + Canvas Unisex T-Shirt

Tri-blend Charcoal

Size: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL

Price: $21.20 (includes tax)

Thank you to all of you who have already purchased this special merchandise from me. You have been a huge help in the ongoing creative conversation! and thank you for representing revelatorART by wearing these products!