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!

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! 

STUDIO DAY!

one of my favorite things in life is when i get to create in collaboration with other creatives. i love the challenge of working side by side to create something together. the inspiration of varying skills, the compilation of differing experiences, and the cross-pollination of stimulating ideas can help cultivate and grow each others' imagination and art making. 

today was a STUDIO DAY with artist, Lukas Evergreen. Lukas and i have partnered on many creative projects together. people mostly associate us with our public performances as the performance art company, Marten Evergreen. we combine choreographed dance, music, painting, and drama and partner with other artists to create unique avant-garde performances for art events. but we've also spent a lot of time collaboratively painting together in both of our art studios. some of those paintings we've had on display but some have only been seen by us. 

we spent the day in my studio today after not having seen each other for several weeks. we decided to work on a large painting together as a way of reconnecting. we chose a rather large piece of corrugated cardboard to paint on. we used charcoals, soft pastels, acrylic paints, and latex paints as our mediums. if you were to ask us to explain our creative process...well...we had iTunes music playing, we grabbed some supplies from what he had brought and from what i had, and we just sort of went for it. i mean well you see, we've worked with each other so much and are so comfortable together that we were easily able to play off of each others' creativity. it's like we were creatively conversing. i mean we did talk, of course, but the art making became a subconscious way of being able to communicate with each other on a deeper level. it just flowed.

here's some photos and video of our time together today in studio.

Lisa drawing on cardboard with soft pastels

Lukas drawing on cardboard with soft pastels

 Lisa drawing

 Lukas applying latex paint on top of soft pastels

Lisa applying latex paint on top of soft pastels

Lukas painting 

so after about a 6-7 hour time together, here's a sneak peek of what we came up with today. it's not finished. we'll come back to it on another Studio Day to continue working on it. it sure was fun to create in collaboration this way! i can't wait till we can get together again and continue! 

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.

ENVISION



Last week I went to the launch of "envision" (a new Treasure Valley wide faith based art community open to creatives of all mediums, skill levels, and accomplishments). over 40 people turned out! it was exciting to see the potential and possibilities when creatives gather together to collaborate in community. We know that though the normal tendency for a creative is to isolate (in our creative process, in our... business, in our spiritual lives, in our relational lives), truth is we the creative desires community and connection at a deep level (it's just so darn hard to be vulnerable with who we are and trust). It's encouraging when norms are broken down and we can reach across the barriers to each other (to understand and be understood). I like it when i see this beginning to happen.

Envision meets on the 3rd Wednesday night of each month, from 7pm to 9pm.

It's first meeting was at the VineArts Studio. It will probably meet there for awhile and then perhaps move around depending upon the theme of the night. Each month will have a different topic and speaker, a different format and experience (some with hands on experiential art making). The first meeting was made up of musicians, singer/songwriters, poets, authors, painters & other visual artists, photographers, dancers, art teachers, and art ministers from a number of churches throughout the Treasure Valley.
Envision:
Connecting Creatives with Each Other and the Creator

"The result of God’s stirring in our hearts, Envision aims to bring a sense of community to Christian creatives. Our vision centers on finding ways to embrace, inspire, and empower creatives, ushering them into the knowledge of who they are in Christ, while nurturing our God-given abilities to connect with each other, our communities, the world, and ultimately our Creator.

Envision will speak to all Christian denominations without prejudice. Whether or not you presently attend a church or have community with other artists, this is a safe place for you to come and find more of who you were created to be.

This meeting is an important opportunity for creatives within all areas of art to explore what needs among us are unmet. Your willingness to share ideas and discuss possible solutions to questions such as the ones below is critical as we move forward.

• What unmet needs do you see in the Christian creative community?
• What do you need in order to feel more connected and inspired as a creative individual?
• How can we support and serve you?

To help illustrate our vision we will feature a guest speaker/guest artist at each meeting who will share with our group. The first meeting on March 20th was led by Sherri Coffield. She spoke about how she came to realize that being a Christian artist doesn't have to mean creating art with a narrow religious focus and how this discovery has impacted her spiritual growth and personal ministry.

If you have questions or comments about upcoming meetings you can contact:
Sherri Coffield
scoffield.id@gmail.com
Child care will not be provided. Children under the age of 17 will only be admitted on a case to case basis since some mature content may not be appropriate."