Art Fruition: an on-line Art Ministry Course

Have you ever asked the questions: 

WHAT is ART? 

WHO are Artists? 

WHAT is Ministry? 

WHAT is ART Ministry? 

WHO can do Art Ministry? 

HOW does one launch an Art Ministry? 

WHERE can someone learn more about HOW they can be involved in Art Ministry?

ART FRUITION is an on-line Art Ministry Course designed to help answer these questions and guide you to your next step.

Check out the video here below created by Jessie Nilo (founder of ART FRUITION and VineArts Boise, an Art Ministry in Boise, Idaho) to learn more: 

REFLECT arts conference June 7-10, 2018

Attention Creatives and Supporters of Creatives:

especially those who have attended The Boise Creative Church Conferences in either 2012, 2014, or 2016 and those who haven't attended but are interested in connecting with other creatives of faith through conversation and  hands on workshops, being encouraged in who you are as a creative and a person of faith, and learning more about collaborating through creativity within your churches, your communities, your cities...

We are changing our art conference name to REFLECT

and we are gearing up for our next conference: 

JUNE 7-10, 2018

SAVE THOSE DATES! 

Stay tuned for updates. 

Sponsored by VineArts Boise and Art Fruition, REFLECT is a Third Tribe production. 

Come find your tribe!

Announcing: The 2016 Creative Church Conference in Boise

The 2016 Creative Church Conference in Boise

Embracing the Arts in Your Church

July 28-31 

at Vineyard Boise Church

4950 N. Bradley St. Boise, ID 83714

sponsored by The New Renaissance and VineArts 

Registration Fee: $125

Can choose to pay registration in installments.

Registration includes lunches and Free Childcare.

 2016 theme:

Beauty in the Brokenness

Main Speakers and Featured Artists:

Scott Erickson

live painter, Imago Dei-Portland, OR 

Dave Blakeslee

pastor and potter-Salida, CO

Bruce Herman

painter and educator-Gloucester, MA

Andrew Nemr

tap dancer and TEDfellow-NYC, NY 

J Scott McElroy

founder The New Renaissance-Indianapolis, IN

Jessie Nilo

founder VineArts and Art Fruition-Boise, ID

What is The Creative Church Conference All About?

*Bi-Annual Arts Conference

*Multi-church forum for arts in the name of Christ

*All levels of artistic experience are welcome

*Teachings on working with God, finding your own creativity, knowing your identity, the needs of artists, and loving people through the arts

*For individuals, community leaders, artists, pastors, and caregivers of creatives

* Engaging artistic communities all sizes, grassroots, clergy-led, liturgical, and outreach

*Opportunities to rest, reflect, journal, create, worship, and connect

*Art workshops, music workshops, dance and music performances, creative worship

*Topics on integrating the arts into the life of the local church (in churches of any size) 

Click Here for More Info and to Register

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!

ART FRUITION: An On-Line Art Ministry Academy

Are you interested in learning more about ministry through visual art? There's a new on-line school coming available. 

ART FRUITION MINISTRY ACADEMY
Jessie Nilo, Founder and Director of VineArts Ministry at Boise Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Boise, Idaho is starting an on-line Art Ministry School. Courses begin September 15, 2015 and will run through April 19, 2016. On-line application available starting July 6, 2015.
Art Ministry 101 is an 8-month course on the essentials of being a practitioner in art ministry. It's completely online so that anyone who can download videos online can take the course wherever they happen to be around the world. Students will study in groups and practice the foundations of visual art through a theological lens, exploring ways of ministering through visual art in practical and inclusive ways in the name of Christ. 
To learn more about the courses, tuition cost, and how to enroll: 

http://artfruition.com/art-ministry-school/

Painting Live at Churches: Connecting in With the Conversation

 here i am painting live during a Presbyterian service (which included choir songs, Scripture reading, prayers, children sermon, sermon)

this is the finished painting. mixed media (venetian plaster, acrylic, paper) on foam-canvas soundboard. the message was about how selfishness separates us from God and from living fully from love.

One of the really fun things I get to do as a live painter is connect in (through creativity) with the conversation that God is already having with people. I will often be invited by various churches to paint live during their worship services. Depending upon the format and style of worship and the relationship I have with the pastors and leaders at any specific church will depend upon how long I have to paint, and what the painting may entail. 

I've been painting live at churches and various events for about 6 years now. I have found that being a live painter is just like being a speaker or a musician...it's never really about me or the art form itself...it's always going to be about the message that is "heard". To make sure that I am connected in with the conversation, I spend time communicating with the churches ahead of time. I spend time praying, researching, preparing to paint. I make a point to connect in with the pastors, the lay ministers, the music leaders (whoever is involved in the implementation of the service) so that I become a part of the collaboration of the service. I become a part of their whole for a moment in time. 

Like most professional live painters, when I'm painting at churches locally (other than my home church where I serve) I do charge a fee. The fee is handled much like I handle commission work. It is mostly to cover the cost of paints, supplies, and the actual painting time. The painting is then given to the pastor and the church once it's completed. 

When painting elsewhere's on my overseas art ministry travels I'm flexible with the fee (again, depending upon relationship and purpose of the ministry I am doing for specific pastors/missionaries/lay ministers). Often times I don't charge a fee for painting live while I'm out on my travels (as my room & board is always taken care of by my hosts and the painting is part of the ministry I am giving to them). 

Painting live gives me the opportunity to connect in with the conversation that God is already having with people. It's a chance to listen in, and then enter in (through creativity) in a collaborative way with God, with the pastor, with the people. 

It's never about me or the art itself. It's always about the conversation. What is being spoken. What is being heard. What is being released. What is being received. 

Sometimes I get to paint live with other artists. This creates an additional opportunity of collaboration in the conversation. It takes hearts that are willing to be open, pliable, confident, and humble. It's like a dance with paint.

In the last 2 months I have had the privilege of painting live at 2 local churches (one is a Episcopal-Wesleyan liturgical church and the other is a non-denominational charismatic church). 2 different styles of worship. Both churches I was able to paint during their full morning service (an hour and a half each). Both churches asked me to paint something that would coincide with a new vision for each of the churches (Scriptures and words that were already given to the pastor). 

The first church: the conversation was about preparing for the Harvest (a metaphor for God's Spirit to awaken hearts).

here i am painting live during a Liturgical service (which included traditional hymns, Scripture reading, prayers, sermon, communion)

this is the finished painting. mixed media (acrylic, paper) on plywood. the message was about preparing for the Harvest of God's Spirit growing within our hearts.

The second church: the conversation was about preparing for the Rain (a metaphor for God's Spirit to awaken hearts).

here i am painting live with another art minister, collaborating on the same painting during a Charismatic service (which included rock music worship songs, sermon, communion)

this is the finished painting. mixed media (acrylic, chalks, paper, wood) on 2 wooden closet doors hinged together. the message was about preparing for the Rain of God's Spirit awakening within our hearts.

One of the things I find fun about painting live at various churches is that regardless of the locations, the worship style, or even the actual imagery to be within a painting...oftentimes the message in the conversation is very similar. This isn't my doing...these situations were completely separate and unrelated, and yet...I believe this is God's heart coming forth through the conversation. 

I love when I get to paint on people's lives! 

The Creative Church Conference 2014

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN for 

THE CREATIVE CHURCH CONFERENCE

being held at Vineyard Boise Church in Boise, Idaho on JULY 25-27, 2014

The registration fee is $75.

Our focus this year is about creating healthy community amongst creatives and pastoral care to creatives. 

Click on the link below to learn more about the conference.

There is a link on that page to see the schedule and a link on that page to connect you with the registration page. 

http://creativechurchconference.wordpress.com

We will be posting more details about speakers, housing options, directions, etc. as that info becomes available. Please pass on this link and info to any creatives you think might be interested and benefit from a conference like this. Thanks!

And if you're interested in learning more about VineArts (the art ministry at Vineyard Boise Church in Boise, Idaho who is sponsoring the conference) you can check us out at: www.vineartsboise.org

you can also check us out on Facebook to keep up with what's happening:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/vineartsboise/

The Redemptive Choice to Love

"REDEMPTION" 4foot by 4foot mixed media on sound panel. c. 2012 Lisa Marten

Here is the second painting I created during the worship services at Trinity Presbyterian church in Boise this month. It partners with a painting I did 2 weeks ago called "Separation" and coincides with their current sermon series on the effects of sin in our lives. Last time I painted about how sin consumes us with... selfishness as it separates us from God, from others, even from ourselves. This painting is called "Redemption" I painted about how through the redemptive blood of Christ we are made clean and can embrace love...Gods love, others love, our love....and how that love is open arms to give more love out in community...not isolation.(the image is two people embracing).

"CHOICES" (4) paintings in (1) acrylic on cardboard & foamcore. c. 2012 Lisa Marten

I painted live during the prayer & worship night for the college age young adult small groups that was held in the VineArts Studio this last Sunday night. It's 4 paintings in ONE! I call this "CHOICES" ...which is a response to a word that one of the leaders spoke about...that God is giving us choices...in how we worship,pray,take communion,serve others,and fellowship. The night consisted of 3 small groups from Boise Vineyard coming together and joining with other small groups meeting in other areas around Idaho, Washington, California, and Colorado...all at the same time to pray & worship together. I was blessed to be asked to be a part of something so big and so beautiful ...full of life & community. I LOVE THIS KIND OF STUFF!!! and they are praying for me and for my travels in art ministry as I set out around the global world and I'm praying for them as they reach out into the local and regional world. We all have choices...we just need to enter into them. 

Painting Live...I love what I get to do!

Ya know how there are some things in life ya just really love to do that make you all happy & giddy inside when ya get to do them?...well one of the things I really love to do is be able to paint live. It just makes me happy to be able to set up my easel, paints, and canvas and gather a crowd around to interact with as I paint to music or teaching. I've been painting live for various events at various venues over the last 6 years. Sometimes I've painted live at local rock concerts and art events. Other times I've painted live at local churches during their worship services or during dramatic readings. And still other times I've painted for private parties as part of the entertainment. Whether I'm painting in a church or a concert venue, for payment or for the pure joy of it, one thing that is consistant for me...I love the collaboration process that I get to experience as the act of my painting partners with the musicians, the singers, the speakers, the crowd and God...and I get the wonderful opportunity to connect with the human spirit as I interact with people before, during, and after.

This month I have the honor of painting live at  Trinity Presbyterian Church in Boise . They contacted me when they were looking for an artist that does the sort of live painting that I do. They asked if I could come join them for a couple of Sundays as part of their morning worship services to paint something that would coincide with their current sermon series. Now having a live painter in their worship services has not been done before...so this particular church was stepping out into a whole new world of creative freedom for themselves by inviting me to join them in this way. I have to say...I love doing this sort of thing...getting the chance to utilize my talents to give glory to God and as a way of collaborating with people (other churches, other styles of worship) in creative ways to help others connect in and be drawn deeper in understanding and in experiencing worship. The best part for me is that it's never really about me. I may be the one with a spotlight on me painting, but there's always a bigger picture...there's always a deeper meaning behind it all. And for this church, the bigger picture-the deeper meaning is more about recognizing that everyone has gifts and talents and we are all important and have a place and a role in this story, we're meant to live our lives fully alive, and be who God meant us to be...and perhaps by me doing something new in their presence like painting live and creating something they can all connect in with...perhaps they too might find themselves opening up more, letting their creativity come forth in new ways, and perhaps they might be encouraged to live life fully in who they are meant to be (inside and outside of the church).

My first Sunday to paint was yesterday. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience of collaborating with everyone who was a part of their morning worship...the greeters who welcomed, the singers who sang, the musicians who played, the sound & audio visual technicians, those who prayed, those who read Scripture, the Pastor who spoke, the children, and the congregation who came to be a part of it all. Everyone had an important part. We all contributed to the worship experience. I was honored at their invitation to be a part of this with them all.

Their current sermon series is on the Seven Deadly Sins (Lust, Gluttony, Envy, Sloth, Anger, Greed, Pride). The Pastor is taking one Sunday per sin to talk about how that sin can affect us, our relationships with others, and our relationship with God. And he is sharing about how important it is to allow Christ into our lives to redeem and renew us (through His saving & forgiving blood).

"SEPARATION"

4foot by 4foot mixed media on canvas sound panel

This is the first of a 2 painting series I will do for Trinity Presbyterian in Boise. This painting represents how it can look and feel like when we are consumed by our own selfishness. The background was created with latex house paints (a base coat to add texture), acrylic paints (layers of colors added with brushes, rags, my hands), a water bottle (used to create drips & other textures), and paper (with the image of a person curled up&words typed throughout that speak of specific sins, what sin does to us, how it makes us feel, and how we can become when it takes us over). I painted it throughout the service. It formed and changed and evolved before all of our eyes over an hour and 15 minutes.

After the service was finished I had the chance to talk and interact with several of the people of Trinity Presbyterian.They all seemed so thankful and excited to have experienced me being there with them. I was giddy with joy as I got to talk with people. I really enjoyed listening to their hearts and hearing about who they were and how the painting was speaking to them in their lives. Some people let me know that they found themselves connecting with the sermon at a deeper more meaningful level as they watched the painting evolve. Some of them even confessed to me that they had hidden creative talents themselves and they were so encouraged and inspired by watching me paint that they had a new desire to express themselves through that creativity! And some of them seemed to linger in conversation with me as if it say "you get me, thank you". I sensed something shifted for those people. Something tells me that church will never be the same again.

Oh yes! It's never really about me. But I will continue to be open & willing to put myself out there in creative ways...to love on people and to see them come alive.

I love what I get to do!

I will paint the second painting in the series in 2 weeks during another Sunday morning worship service.