Starting 2016 with a bit of My Story (another facet of Who I Am..."Traveling Art Minister")

For those of you who are either new to this blog or unaware of what I could possibly be talking about in that title...let me explain. You may not know, that along with being a full time working artist with a business called "revelatorART", I am also a Traveling Art Minister. If you're unfamiliar with what Art Ministry is, what a Traveling Art Minister is, and might be wondering what the heck does this have to do with art and why should I care...let me introduce myself...

My name is Lisa Marten. I’ve been a full time working artist for 17 years. I utilize many different mediums and a variety of artforms within my art business called “revelatorART”, and my performance art company called “Marten Evergreen”. This includes commissioned studio work, contracted mural work, live painting engagements, teaching private art lessons, one person and multi-artist art exhibits and art shows, live performances including painting-choreographed dance-music and spoken word, and number of other creative endeavors that I gain employment for. Along with art being a way of life for me and the way that I gain income, art has also been a way to minister to others. And for me, this is an important part of who I am. What do I mean by all of this? 

Here's a bit of my story... 

I started out as an Art Major at Seattle Pacific University. Art has always been a part of my life. My journey has taken me on some creative adventures. I have a BA in Youth Ministry (’92)-which is about mentoring youth-and a second BA in Behavioral Science (’95)-which is counseling/psychology training. Both degrees are from Northwest University in the Seattle area. I also have a 6 month course completion certificate from The Harvest Ministry College (a ministry/missions/leadership training school) in Glasgow, Scotland ('02).  

Throughout my working career, I have utilized art therapy with children and adults (in professional psychoanalyst therapeutic settings, in public art workshop settings, along with private studio art therapy sessions) and have seen the healing and therapeutic results of art when people allow themselves to connect to their hearts through creativity. I truly care about people's well being and enjoy getting see people discover important things within them as they pursue their own life journeys. It was this connection of art and therapy and ministry and missions that has led me down a path that is quite new and cutting edge in our world today.  

What is "Ministry" or a "Minister":

I've been a volunteer Art Minister and leader with an Arts Ministry called VineArts at the Boise Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Boise, Idaho since 2005. And it's been through this experience that I've learned that at the core of who I am...I am a "Minister" and specifically, an "Art Minister". You may be asking...What is "Ministry" and what is a "Minister"?  Some of you may have heard the terms used in a Governmental setting. Others may have heard the terms used in a Church setting. The terms are typically used to describe someone's job description or a title for a group of people who are doing a specific task and might be relegated to only those who are given a specific profession. 

I use the terms a bit different. I use them more as verbs...action oriented. I use them to be inclusive (not exclusive). The easiest way I can describe "Ministry" (the way I see it) is "Mentoring". Mentoring is more than teaching a specific subject or coaching a specific skill...it's coming alongside others and caring for them in such a way that helps to bring out the best of who they are (think Mr. Miagee in The Karate Kid...he did more than teach karate, or coach self defense skills...he mentored life to Daniel). Mentoring can be accomplished in countless ways and look like just about anything.  

I’ve ministered to (mentored) people of all ages through creative activities and artistic focus within ministry (mentoring). I've curated a gallery for 6 years which allows for artists of all ages and skill levels to learn that what they create is important and worth being seen, and have led small group ministry (mentoring) to artists allowing for safe places for them to explore and pursue who they are at their core. I’ve worked side by side with other Art Ministers connecting with artists and getting to see people gain a deeper understanding of themselves as creative beings created by God. I have been and am currently also a part of a group of ecumenical Art Ministers from around the United States, Canada, and the UK who meet annually in Texas to cross pollinate and learn from each other.

I love to travel. My father was in the US Navy and so I've grown up traveling. As an adult, I have found that I have an innate desire to travel and experience other places, cultures, people in this world along with my own. I have traveled throughout the US and overseas (and have lived overseas). Throughout the years I’ve traveled around the world (sometimes for exploring and sometimes to serve and help in other countries). Regardless what the trip might be for, I’ve always found myself doing art and connecting with other artists on my travels. My training in all of these areas (whether organized or organic) has prepared me for what I am doing today.

What is "Art Ministry"? or an "Art Minister"?: 

An "Art Minister" is someone who mentors others through creativity, and oftentimes will specifically mentor Artists. It was in 2010 that I recognized how I could join art and ministry (mentoring) and missions (mentoring in places beyond what I have known) together by traveling to places where I already have connections (people I’ve met throughout the years who are already living and serving abroad to communities small and large, whether through the influence of specific churches, world wide missions organizations, business in communities, or relationship with others) to bring art as a form of ministry to those communities in creative ways. It’s this endeavor that I want to bring to your attention to share my heart with you about. I take art and ministry around the world.

You see I really do believe that creativity is a language that transcends all other languages, all nations, cultures, and borders (all cultures throughout history have their own forms of art, music, textiles, stories, etc.). It's a language we all share...it's the language of our Creator (no matter what religion people have faith in, there is art that expresses that religion). It may look or sound a bit different depending upon where we live and who we are, and some of us might be a bit rusty at first engagement, but it's a language that we all speak. 

About the Conversation:

I believe Creativity is like a conversation. There are conversations going on all the time. Conversations with the people and the work of their hands, with people and God, with people and nature, with people and humankind, with people and self. Creativity allows me to come alongside others and enter into the conversations that are already happening with them. I love listening to the conversations (it's an honor, a sacred thing). If I'm invited into the conversations this brings about collaboration. Collaboration is an invitation to the sharing of ideas and it's a huge part of building relationship. I believe humankind is a relational people. We need each other. I believe we were created that way by a creative God who is all about relationship with us. And I believe we've been given creativity as a language to relate to each other with. When we connect into the conversation through creativity and allow for collaboration, we are helping to build community together and this helps foster relationship. And the walls become invisible between us. 

How Do I "Do" This "Traveling Art Ministry"?:

Since I started traveling for this purpose I have been able to do art and ministry in countries like Ireland, Ecuador, New Zealand, Lithuania, Scotland, Canada and throughout the USA (on and off the mainland), and I am currently in the process of planning an upcoming trip to Thailand. I have mostly traveled on my own...but have also traveled with other Art Ministers. 

Each of these trips looks different from the other as they are hand tailored to the specific country, culture, people, ecumenical relationships and needs of those I would be ministering to. Most of my work has been with adults but I have also worked with youth and children also. I’ve done anything from facilitating collaborative art projects for large and small groups, designing and implementing community art murals, leading small group therapeutic or ministerial art activities, painting live for local events, painting live for worship services, painting live/accompanying a pastor’s sermon for church services, painting live and speaking the sermon for church services, meeting with artistic groups to discuss how to implement creative art ministry, and allowing for relational ministry (however that needs to look). 

How do I fund these trips? It's all done out of my own pocket and by those who individually desire to generously gift to me. Let me be clear, I am not getting paid to do this. I get no monies from the government, churches, missions organizations, or any other official institution to take these travels. Unlike my art business, I don't require my hosts (whom I already have friendship with) to pay me for these "Art Ministry Trips". The only thing I ask is to be able to stay with them and eat with them while I'm with them). I fund these trips through relationship. It's a free gift. I give the time. I give the mentoring. I give the art. It's about relationship. Human to human. Heart to heart.

In 2012 I formed a group of 12 Pastors and Art Ministers (from different church denominations) surrounding me who serve as my "Commissioning Group". Why and What is that you ask? My "Commissioning Group" provide support, prayer, and accountability. There's a lot involved (behind the scenes) to do a trip like I do. And though I am often the sole person on these trips...they are as much a part of them as I am. My "Commissioning Group" meets with me before my trips to help me prepare. I do tons of research about the places, people, cultures, and specific needs of those I will be traveling to. My "Commissioning Group" partners with me in helping me to prepare for the trips. They message with me daily while I am out on the trips (keeping in contact and up to date on how things are going). And they debrief with me once I am back from my trips (helping me process through my experiences and what I've learned). They are my lifeline while I am out on the field and they are my soft place to land when I come back. 


Why I DO this thing called "Art Ministry":

Because I am compelled. One thing I’ve learned through what I get to do as an "Art Minister"…it’s not about me (I'm not traveling with these trips so I can gain or so I can see the world or so I can be known)...it's about relationship with others. And...(unlike creating a painting for a paying client whom I'm contracted with through my art business) it’s not really about the art either (the art is the starting point). It will always be about relationship. Heart to heart. About God’s heart for people and how connecting with other humans is an important part of ministry (mentoring). What I get to do as an "Art Minister" is to be a part of conversation in collaboration (between me and God and my hosts, and those we’re ministering to, and those who are praying and supporting and donating supplies for the activities, etc.) and it’s a privilege to be a part of it throughout this world in so many places and in so many ways.  We all get to play in some way. What I have found is that my purpose and point out there on these trips usually has so many layers it's difficult to say "this is why I am going" or "this is why I went". But I what I do know is that there is usually deep stuff taking place within all involved and my presence on the trip (however long and however it looked) was an important part of this journey we call life together. 

I am very appreciative of all of my experiences. The training I received throughout my education, along with work and volunteer experiences, was the beginning of an incredible adventure that God set before me. Today, as a "Traveling Art Minister", I love what I get to do. I get to paint on people’s lives. 

Would you like to partner with me on these Art Ministry adventures?

For those of you who might be interested in this aspect of what I do, would you want  to partner with me in prayer as I continue to listen to the conversation and enter into it through creative Traveling Art Ministry? You see, we’re in this together. I really do believe I take you with me wherever I go. You’re a part of this adventure as much as I am. I appreciate your prayers and your encouragement more than you realize.

And If you're interested in individually contributing through a financial gift or art supplies to help towards a future trip...Contact me at: revelatorart@yahoo.com

I have been writing about my adventures on my Traveling Artist blogsite:

www.traveling-artist.blogspot.com

You can check out each trip page by clicking on a tab at the top of that sites homepage. 

To continue to follow my adventures, you can subscribe to that site through RSS feed or you can receive the posts in your email by entering in your email address in the box provided on the site for email subscription. 

And if you are interested in hosting me on a future Art Ministry adventure, where I can partner with you to connect through creativity with those you are already reaching in your community, please contact me.

Thank you. 

Lisa Marten

Adventures Pursued:

Scotland/UK (2000-2002)
New Zealand 2011

Lithuania 2012

Alaska 2012

Scotland 2012

Pacific Northwest 2013

*Seattle, WA

*Vancouver Canada

*Bellingham, WA

*Portland, OR

Hawaii 2014

Seattle 2014

Oregon Coast 2014

Maui 2015

Lithuania 2015

Travels with VineArts:
Ireland 2008

Ecuador (La Vina Quito) 2010

Annual Art Ministers Retreat. Laity Lodge, Texas (2010-2015)

CIVA Conference 2011

Creative Church Conference (bi-annually 2012,2014,2016)

Vineyard USA Conference 2013

Local Pursuits:

Live Painting at churches, concerts, fundraisers, and art events 

Performance Art at art events with Marten Evergreen

MORE ART TRAVELS TO COME!

I’m always open for wherever the conversation leads me.

Confirmed Travels for 2016:

• Thailand

"Mystic Lover"

24x36 mixed media on canvas.

c. 2015 Lisa Marten.

Not For Sale

This is the 4th painting in my Self Portrait Series...and depicts the Traveling Art Minister facet of Who I Am. 

Painting Large Canvas Mural Backdrops

I haven't gotten the chance to take/post photos of the new backdrop at Vineyard Boise yet until today. This backdrop is a collaboration of many artists and non-artists together. The theme of it coincides with the current sermon series on Corinthians. Here it is after a bunch of us painted phrases on it Sunday August 30th during the worship services. The artists in VineArts (along with staff and many others) have been collaborating on and painting backdrops for the sermon series at Vineyard Boise since (I think) 2007. Out of all the backdrops we've worked on, I think this is one of my favorites. Maybe it's the grungy graffiti imagery, maybe it's the vibrant range of colors, maybe it's the cool signs and wording...but I think it's mostly because this one is focusing on LOVE. 

Our process starts in prayer (the pastoral staff asks the artists to create something for an upcoming series. We're made aware of what book of the Bible will be taught. Then we pray about imagery and collaborate on ideas). The next step is to paint the base colors on the canvases. We do this in our studio (all 3 8ftx12ft panels on the floor) with large handled brushes and brooms. We use latex house paints. We add texture as needed. The next phase is details. We hang the panels up, project images or words and chalk outlines for painting. Sometimes it's all painted flat on the floor and then later hung in the sanctuary for the series, other times the panels are hung unfinished and we paint the details live during worship. This is one where we are continuing to paint details during worship throughout the year as our pastor speaks through the book of Corinthians. It's a fun collaborative process that helps our congregation engage visually with the teachings through creativity.

I love what we get to do together!

A News Spotlight on VineArts

Here is a recent news spotlight reported about VineArts for CBN/The 700 Club: 

VineArts 

VineArts is a collabortion of over a hundred artists (young and old, professional and emerging) with a common desire to worship God through the visual arts. our mission is 4-fold: 

"to serve God utilizing our hands and our imaginations to express our love for Him and to offer the sacrifice of our praise centering not on self-promotion but on God-promotion. 

to serve the church leading the congregation into worship through the vineARTS Gallery and meeting the artistic needs of the church across the ministry matrix. 

to serve the community participating in local exhibitions and art auctions in solidarity with various worthy causes and locating non-profit ministries in Boise who have limited financial resources and blessing them with our graphic design services. 

to serve each other promoting fellowship, artistic collaborations, encouragement, artist's workshops, brainstorming and feedback opportunities, and camaraderie among the visual artists of Vineyard Boise. 

Together, we can do so much more than we could ever dream of doing seperately. Anyone can join the fellowship of artists; we have members locally in the Boise area and worldwide. To join or to learn about upcoming art opportunities contact our VineArts Director, Jessie Nilo at the Vineyard Boise (208)377-1477 or email at jessie.nilo@vineyardboise.org .Check out what we're doing at: www.vineartsboise.org and find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vineartsboise/" 

a night of "communion" at envision

last night, at a local gathering for creatives of faith (called ENVISION: which meets to build community and inspire each other in who we are and what we do), i had the wonderful opportunity to share about being a traveling art minister. 

i set up the room in the round with a mock campfire in the middle. i tried to create the atmosphere of those moments we experience in intimate community around a campfire while sharing drink and food and stories and music and parts of who we are with each other. 

this is what i was going for...

okay so it actually looked more like this...

but hey it was inside during the cold of winter with around 35 people, so ya know, i improvised. 

and let me tell you the setting didn't matter at all on the quality of conversation and connection that took place amongst people while we gathered. 

we talked about what it means to minister to each other and what that can look like through creativity.  i brought up the importance of "communion" in community (connecting with others through relationship) which can look like so many things but always has the purpose of love. and we worked together on an art project as an example of that.  

the art project represented how we are all broken & hurting people with inner struggles of life. being in relationship with God guarantees us we are not alone and there is hope. being in relationship with Community allows us the safety to experience the hard work of inner healing and see it lived out daily. when we begin to trust God with our lives and start to give those areas that are hinderances, struggles, heartaches, pains over to him to partner with us for healing and growth...and when we allow him to do that within the safety of trusted fellow human beings, he is able to create some beautiful things in us and others. 

while we created, my friend & artist, Jessie Nilo played some beautiful songs for us on her guitar, continuing the mood of intimate campfire communion...

here is the result of 3 groups made up of broken people (all of us are) working on a new creation together with each other and with God...

photo taken by J Lund

i enjoyed the conversations we had with each other (whether verbally or through the art activity or just through our presence together). we are all creative (made by a creative God). what can we do with our creativity? we were all made for relationship and we were all made to minister to each other. 

thank you to all who attended this month's ENVISION meeting and for partnering and participating in the ongoing conversation that God is having with us.

if you want to learn more about ENVISION and how you can get involved, you can click here.

if you want to learn more about my art travels and how i minister throughout the world through creativity you can click here.

an update from VineArts Boise

Here is the latest news from VineArts Boise introducing upcoming opportunities for 2014: Photo by Jessie Nilo

VineArts Update January 2014 It's a new beginning, a fresh start. Maybe a time for reflection and asking honest questions, or for spending some quiet time with God. What are your needs as an creative person? How can we help equip you this year? Our goal at VineArts is to provide opportunities for everyone to grow spiritually and artistically in Christ-filled community. Let us know how we can serve you. Bless you in this coming year! Heart of the Artist Book Study Monday evenings January 6 & 20/February 3 & 17/March 3 & 10 6:30-8:30 PM at the VineArts Studio Cost: $14 for book (purchase at Book Cellar or online) This isn’t just a class, it’s an experience... Join us for this groundbreaking study on being a Christ-filled artist. Explore what it means to serve God with your artistic gifts. Open to creatives of all genres (writing, music, theatre, visual art, dance, etc). Special guests each week from VineArts will give insight into the Heart of the Artist. Sorry, no childcare provided. This study is for ages 16+ due to the contemplative and reflective nature of our topics. Contact: Jessie Nilo and Corinna Stevens jessie.nilo@vineyardboise.org Click here to learn more or to sign up for Heart of the Artist! The Creative Church Conference Save the date! July 25-27, 2014 We're excited for this second international gathering of Christian creatives who desire to see God's glory reflected through the arts in churches everywhere. The Creative Church Conference is a beautiful, encouraging, and connecting experience. Save the date and invite a friend to the 2014 Conference in Boise! The conference will take place all day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, July 25-27 at Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Boise, Idaho. Cost: $75 for the entire 3-day conference. Special rates for hotels also available. Registration begins in two weeks! Miss the First One? DVDs of our 2012 conferences are available for purchase: The Indianapolis DVD set costs $105 for all 7 main sessions plus 8 workshops. The Boise DVD set is $75 for all 7 main sessions and does not include workshops. Please reply if you'd like to learn more about purchasing a set of 2012 DVDs. It's a great way to share and enjoy the practical teachings of passionate artists, pastors, and leaders in the arts while providing funds for future Creative Church Conferences. January Envision A Community of Support for Christian Creatives  Third Wednesdays 7:00 - 9:00 PM (next one: January 15) You're invited to a beautiful Envision experience! This month our main speaker will be Lisa Marten. Get ready to hear some highly missional and relational stories about being a traveling art minister overseas. Sherri Coffield has created Envision, a safe place for creatives throughout the Treasure Valley to come together to worship Christ, be inspired in our calling, and know that we belong. Our Envision members come from many different churches and traditions, and we worship one Savior, Jesus Christ. Our gathering takes place in the VineArts Studio on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 7:00 to 9:00 pm sharp. Please forward this open invitation to any artists of faith you may know. January VineArts Exhibit "Second Chances: Mercy and Grace" (up through Easter) taking art entries January 19, 21, 22 “PEOPLE NEED LOVING THE MOST WHEN THEY DESERVE IT THE LEAST.” —Jim Elliot (a missionary killed in Ecuador while ministering to native warriors; after his death, Jim's family led the warriors to Christ)   Mercy:  The withholding of punishment shown to an offender; abstaining from the degree of strictness or severity deserved; relieving another’s distress or misfortune. Grace:  The sovereign gift of totally undeserved kindness, shown by God to man; an unexpected act of kindness or compassion; undeserved or ill-deserved favor/gifts. Who deserves another chance? God's mercies are new every morning. What greater mercy has ever been shown when He sent His Son to die for us? He is limitless, continually creative when we make choices that get us off track, and able to lead us to a new path. It’s never too late for a do-over. It’s never too big or small an act to show someone else the extravagant love, mercy, and kindness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Download the required entry packet here. More thoughts, scriptures, and quotes about mercy and grace here. Open Studio Remember, our studio is open to the public every Saturday from noon to 4:00pm at the VineArts Studio. Come for free coffee and creating in the chilly winter months, and you can even use our art supplies! Find out more about Open Studio here.

Eagle Magazine

I've had an article written about me and my art in the March-April 2013 edition of Eagle Magazine (a local lifestyle magazine).

It was a wonderful collaborative process between the editor, Jamie Dillon; the journalist, Kate Matthews; the graphics designer, Dave Stein; and myself. I want to thank them for representing me well.

You can view the article a number of ways. The magazine hits the newsstands today. You can pick up a hard copy for free at any Eagle Magazine stand that sits in front of restaurants and businesses in the Eagle City area. If you subscribe to the magazine you can have it delivered directly to you. And you can read on-line at www.eaglemagazine.com. If you click on the large link below titled "Connecting Through Creativity" you can go directly to the article and read on-line.

I also have to note...the article about me is in an edition that is also featuring "The Art of Fly Fishing" and "Living Long, Living Strong", along with articles featuring other creatives, writers, and even Publisher Maryanna Young. This excites me all the more! I find this quite appropriate! Thank you Eagle Magazine!

Eagle Magazine
March-April 2013
Page 32-33
Connecting Through Creativity
written by Kate Matthews
designed by Dave Stein
photos by Evermore Prints & Starry Night Media

The Creative Church Conference

The following is part of an informational email from the Director of VineArts in Boise, Idaho about The Creative Church Conference being held at Vineyard Boise July 13-15. This conference is near and dear to my heart and I want you to know about it. I'm on the leadership team for VineArts and am on the planning team for the conference. I will be co-facilitating a couple of breakout workshops and painting live a couple of times during the conference. We're looking to have the conversation with creatives, with pastors & ministers, with lay leaders, and with anyone who is open to embracing the arts within the local church. Please read on and click on the links to find out what I'm referring to...

The Creative Church Conference

July 13-15 at Vineyard Boise

Boise, Idaho

Creative: The way you are made, in your Father's image.
Church: Where two or more are gathered in Jesus' name.
Arts: Creative ways to play and express.
Ministry: Doing small (mini) things to bless others.
Conference: A time to learn and share.

If God made you creative, are you intrigued to know why? If you are a leader, do you have a heart to bless artists?

As far as we can tell, an arts ministry conference is a fairly new concept for discussing ways the visual arts, writing, poetry, film, and theater as well as dancing and music can be natural applications of worship, processing, prayer, and outreach by the local church. Many denominations and sizes of churches are registered to attend this inaugural conference in Boise, several from other states and some from outside the United States.

At The Creative Church in Boise July 13-15, Scott McElroy (author of "Finding Divine Inspiration") and Manuel Luz (author of "Imagine That") will discuss why beauty matters to God, and why art needs to matter to the Church. Rory Noland (author of "The Heart of the Artist") will gently examine some of the hazards that come with being artistic and ways to overcome those hazards. Dave Blakeslee (Pastor & Potter) will suggest ways artists and pastors can relate with each other. Our workshops will explore creative applications of ministering through the arts and practical lessons learned from mistakes. Please take these opportunities to share your knowledge with us!

Read about our speakers and the schedule.

We feel this is the beginning of something beautiful.

Think of a creative person who needs this conference, and let them know about it.

Our heart is to bless YOUR local fellowship. Our hope is to offer The Creative Church again in 2014, repeated as a biennial conference for years to come until nobody needs it anymore. May God bring the day when "the arts" and "beauty" cause people to think of the church. That time has begun. Please shape the foundations with us.

Registration is $75.
Register here.
partial scholarships are available.
For the hotel discount and free shuttle between the Boise airport, hotel, and conference, click here.

We want you here. We NEED you here.
May God bless you and the creative works of your hands.
Jessie Nilo
Director of VineArts

My Creative Travels Fundraiser Art Event in Photos

Thank you to everyone who made this event possible. I believe art is a universal language that transcends all language barriers (whether it be differences linguistically & culturally, whether it be differences potically & socially, whether it be differences spiritually & faith based, whether it be struggles emotionally & relationally with self and others). Creativity is an amazing expression of one's world view and inner voice that needs to be heard...and it can be the element that opens conversation. Thank you to everyone who came and shared in this conversation with me and heard my heart, viewed my art, experienced our live painting/dance performance, and spent time connecting with me and others. Thank you to everyone who contributed and continues to contribute to the support of these creative travels and adventures that I'm on (whether financially and/or through prayer and encouragement). Wherever I go I take you with me. You are all just as much a part of "painting on people's lives" as I am...together we are loving on people throughout this world in creative ways. Thank you. May we love much and love well.