Painting Murals in Ecuador

I just had the amazing opportunity to travel with a team of VineArts artists to Ecuador to paint murals in Quito. It was my first time traveling to South America and my first time traveling with the intent of doing art & missions together. We served the small inner city church of Iglesia La Vina to paint 8 murals & signs within their facility and lead an art & worship service. It was one of the most rewarding things I've ever had the priviledge of taking part in. I'm still processing the experience...and will blog more about it in detail at my blogsite: www.traveling-artist.blogspot.com . For now, let me say that I know this is not an isolated event for me...in my heart I know that I am called to travel and to paint and to serve & minister to others...this is only the beginning for me.

BORN OF FIRE

I just finished this painting titled "BORN OF FIRE". It's a 26x36 mixed media abstract on canvas. It's my version of the Phoenix. I've had this painting in my head for several weeks now. It's been speaking to me from the depths of my heart. It represents my spirit coming alive...through challenges and conflicts, struggles and storms. It is through the fire that life can be appreciated and experienced with true joy and freedom...to be fully alive!

Deep and Wide

Here is the new sanctuary stage backdrop for Boise Vineyard church. It was unveiled this last Sunday June 6th. The meaning behind it is all about the Kingdom of God...letting our growth in love to go deep and wide.

Psalm 1:3 says that a person who loves God and His Word "is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither; whatever he does prospers." Jesus said in Mark 12, "To love God with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."...in other words, the Kingdom of God is all about LOVE.

This backdrop will be up for about 9 months as the pastors take the congregation through the Gospel book of Mark.

I had the beautiful honor of being a part of a group of 15 VineArts artists who worked together to come up with the design, 6 artists who co-created to bring it to life on the 3 canvas panels (each 11x18 feet), and 6 artists who painted on it during worship at 2 morning services.

"It's a live oak tree, roots digging deep and branches sprawling wide. The cross and the tree are one. It's important for the roots to go deep first, followed by the branches going wide in compassionate works. Without first being grounded in Christ, our human efforts to love people will fail every time."

Throughout the 9 months the artists of VineArts will continue to add more to it at various key moments to illustrate the Word coming to life.

sweep me away

"sweep me away" 34x57 mixed media on board c. 2010 Lisa Marten

this is my new "hybrid" mixed media painting combining one of my impressionistic oil landscape paintings with abstract collage expressionism. this painting has been long in coming. it feels so good to finally get it out of my head & heart. it has everything to do with letting God take your hand, hold you, lead you, and sweep you away into his heart, his mercy, his grace, his forgiveness, his healing, his comfort, his peace, his passion, his freedom, his love. it's about letting go. it's about release. it's about trust. may you let him gently wash over your heart and your life.

suddenly I feel you holding me.
sweep me away.
suddenly I feel your hand in mine.
sweep me away.
suddenly I feel you leading me.
sweep me away.
suddenly I feel your heart in mine.
sweep me away.

-Charlie Hall "Sweep Me Away" from the album Passion: Our Love is Loud

June Art Show

For the month of June 2010 my art is being featured at LUX Fashion Lounge in Boise. LUX is a new/used clothing store that sits in the heart of downtown Boise. I have 7 multi media pieces on display & for sale. The walls inside are painted red, so my abstracts really pop! Last night (during the city's First Thursday Art Walk) was the opening for my show. I was warmly blessed that several friends came out for it. It's been a few years since I've had an art show downtown and I am really excited to be back out there with my art...this time showing my abstracts!

LUX Fashion Lounge

785 W. Idaho Street

Boise, ID 83702

Painting FREEDOM

Yesterday I had the wonderful honor of being able to paint during worship. These are 2 of my most favorite things integrated together. So along with lots of coffee before and after, and the joy of people joining in to worship God (which is all about relationship with God)....my heart was released to express freedom more than I've ever done before. I believe something happened yesterday in a deep meaningful way for a lot of people. I painted a word on the backdrop for both morning services at Boise Vineyard (first service I painted "TRUTH" and second service I painted "Spirit") and then I painted on a large canvas during worship for a special evening service (which the painting seemed to transform before our eyes throughout the night). The photos just can't convey the complete freedom that was unleashed in me as I painted and danced and sang and jumped and leaped and flung paint and laughed and cried. People were responding in worship and were released in freedom too and many came up to me afterwards to tell me their stories. I am humbled and in awe at how a simple act of me being all that I am could inspire so many people to be all that they can be.

painting with the band during morning services painting
i used brushes, rags, and my fingers

Truth

Spirit

the words

painting with the band during worship on Sunday night

come Holy Spirit.
purple flowing into blue (representing the freedom of the Holy Spirit)

Grace written in the white paint as if from God washing over us & yellow (representing God's presence coming down to us)
painting waves in the center of a white circle (representing many things...depending on what it speaks to people...the storms of life, the river of God...etc.)

letting differnent colors of paint drip down like rain (the red representing the cleansing blood of Jesus)

the finished painting...i call it "MORE LORD!"

holy

"holy" 40x50 mixed media on canvas

so let me tell you about my newest painting. i seem to be in a place right now where paintings are coming to me like a rush of water...like i've dove into a deep lake and am being immersed in color. i'm absolutely loving the swim i'm in...and yet at the same time i'm wondering when i need to come up for breath or will i be able to keep swimming deeper?

this painting came to me like a blast to my brain the day after i finished the "dark night of the soul" painting. i quickly worked up the image in the computer and knew exactly what canvas i needed to use. the next morning (before i went to church) i reopened the computer image i had created and then like a flash the Scripture of Revelation 4:8 "Holy holy holy is the Lord God Almighty. Who was, and is, and is to come." i inserted the quote into the computer mockup and then rushed off to church. on my way, i prayed and asked God about the painting. was this just my idea? was this something He wanted me to paint? what was it all about? you can imagine my surprise when once at church, one of the worship leaders opened the service by reading Revelation 4:8! and then every song that we sang during worship had to do with God's HOLINESS! i about fell over backwards with confirmation that God was prompting me to do this painting.

so the next day i blocked out time in my studio to begin the process. as i began to set stuff up i pulled up the Addison Road song "What Do I Know Of Holy?" and put it on continuous play while i painted. i ended up incorporating some of the lyrics into the painting. it was quite a deep introspective 6 day journey for me. i found myself on my knees in tears once i finished painting.

it's about God's big-ness and my small-ness. it's about a Holy God who died & rose for me...so my heart could be free. it's about the mystery of the Creator of the Universe wanting relationship with me.

dark night of the soul

This "RevelatorArt Hybrid" was inspired by a discussion I had this week at the VineArts Palate art discipleship group with other artists and a seperate discussion I had with a close friend who I had dinner with this week. Have you read Saint John of the Cross "The Dark Night of the Soul"? He speaks of those dry, dark, silent moments in life when we find ourselves struggling with who we are and who God is. Many of us call this a desert, a wilderness, or even the depths of depression. My friends and I call it the "blue funk". I wanted to paint about this "dark night", but wasn't sure what aspect to focus on. I created a mixed media abstract expressionist painting a few years ago titled "Sweetly Broken" where I attempted to capture the actual struggle of our hearts when we are utterly broken before God. Yet...this new painting "Dark Night of the Soul" I wanted to say something about why we should even consider allowing our hearts to go through such times (instead of trying to ignore & avoid them). I wanted to depict the freedom that comes from allowing ourselves to walk through the darkness...however long that takes. The oil painting in the center I painted years ago and it was titled "All Things New". I have also placed a couple of my sketches within the painting (in the dark areas towards the bottom half)...of a woman praying and a man with outstretched arms. And there is a quote that I layered throughout the painting background that tells the story of Sorrow & Joy uniting.

"Sorrow was beautiful, but his beauty was the beauty of the moonlight shining through the leafy branches of the trees in the woods. His gentle light made little pools of silver here and there on the soft green moss of the forest floor. And when he sang, his song was like the low, sweet calls of the nightingale, and in his eyes was the unexpectant gaze of someone who has ceased to look for coming gladness. He could weep in tender sympathy with those who weep, but to rejoice with those who rejoice was unknown to him. Joy was beautiful, too, but hers was the radiant beauty of a summer morning. Her eyes still held the happy laughter of childhood, and her hair glistened with the sunshine's kiss. When she sang, her voice soared upward like a skylark's, and her steps were the march of a conqueror who has never known defeat. She could rejoice with anyone who rejoices, but to weep with those who weep was unknown to her. Sorrow longingly said, 'We can never be united as one,' 'No, never,' responded Joy, with eyes misting as she spoke, 'for my path lies through the sunlit meadows, the sweetest roses bloom when I arrive, and songbirds await my coming to sing their most joyous melodies. ''Yes, and my path,' said Sorrow, turning slowly away, 'leads through the dark forest, and moonflowers, which open only at night, will fill my hands. Yet the sweetest of all earthly songs---the love song of the night---will be mine. So farewell, dear Joy, farewell.' Yet even as Sorrow spoke, he and Joy became aware of someone standing beside them. In spite of the dim light, they sensed a kingly Presence, and suddenly a great and holy awe overwhelmed them. They then sank to their knees before Him. 'I see Him as the King of Joy,' whispered Sorrow, 'for on His head are many crowns, and the nailprints in His hands and feet are the scars of a great victory. And before Him all my sorrow is melting away into deathless love and gladness. I now give myself to Him forever. ''No, Sorrow,' said Joy softly, 'for I see Him as the King of Sorrow, and the crown on His head is a crown of thorns, and the nailprints in His hands and feet are the scars of terrible agony. I also give myself to Him forever, for sorrow with Him must be sweeter than any joy I have ever known. ''Then we are one in Him,' they cried in gladness, 'for no one but He could unite Joy and Sorrow.' Therefore they walked hand in hand into the world, to follow Him through storms and sunshine, through winter's severe cold and the warmth of summer's gladness, and to be 'sorrowful, yet always rejoicing. 'Does Sorrow lay his hand upon your shoulder, And walk with you in silence on life's way, While Joy, your bright companion once, grown colder, Becomes to you more distant day by day? Run not from the companionship of Sorrow, He is the messenger of God to thee; And you will thank Him in His great tomorrow---For what you do not know now, you then will see; He is God's angel, clothed in veils of night, With whom 'we walk by faith' and 'not by sight' " -taken from "Streams In The Desert" by L.B.Cowman

RevelatorArt Hybrids

I just finished a 24x30 painting I've titled "Glory to Glory" (based on 2 Corinthians 3:7-8,12-13,18). It's an integration of my impressionistic landscapes in oil with my mixed media abstract expressionist paintings. This is the second painting I've done like this. I'm finding a whole new world opening up to me with this type of "Hybrid" of my paintings. I think I'm able to say something fresh & new by allowing my 2 main mediums & styles to come together in harmony within one painting. I'm excited as to where this might take me creatively. Keep watching. I'm riding this wave wherever it goes.

Doin' the Stuff

This is a quick view of our Opening Reception for the newest Art Exhibit in the VineArts Gallery at Vineyard Boise. The exhibit is titled "Doin the Stuff". "It's about doing stuff like praying for each other, bringing joy to the brokenhearted, healing the sick, tending the earth, caring for the poor, serving in anonymity, setting captives free, sacrificing our time...you know, the stuff Jesus Christ said to do."

have your way

This is a series I just completed titled "have your way". Each piece is 24x30(ish) size. I painted on cardboard cut from a box, so the edges aren't straight & are a bit ragged. I primed the cardboard and then used the combination of latex house paints & images printed on paper to create these mixed media abstracts.

The first painting is titled: "fill me up". The second painting is titled: "sing over me". The third painting is titled: "rain down on me".

I had worked these paintings out on my computer first (as I often do with my abstracts). So I had a plan and a direction in my head as to what the paintings were going to look like. But as I painted the first one, I found out that even though it was primed on all sides, the cardboard reacted differently to the paint than canvas usually does. My normal painting techniques weren't getting my desired effect. So midstream I had to readjust what I was doing & allow the unexpected difference to take me to a place that I had not planned. It was a fun process as I let go of my expectations on the pieces and let them be what they needed to be.

I didn't have an overall title for the series until after it was finished. Once I stepped back and was able to view all 3 paintings together, I knew it needed to be called "have your way". As I had just experienced that working release in my creative process, I could then see that it was a tangible example of how my heart needs to be pliable for God to work in my life. I sometimes have expectations as to how and what and where my life should be...but if I were to only let go and allow God to paint me as He sees me, then I would be able to become who I really am.

communion: breakfast on the beach

I recently created this 24x30 mixed media painting on canvas after my experience on the art mentor retreat in Texas last month. It was inspired by several events & people who have influenced my life over the last 10 years...converging together as an epiphany in my heart & mind about communion.

Matthew 26:26-28 talks about Jesus sharing in communion with his disciples (during the Passover Feast) before he was to be crucified. He shared himself in a real way with them over a meal (the bread and wine that was available at the time). John 21:12-13 talks about the risen Christ inviting his disciples to join him on the beach for breakfast (a form of communion). He shared himself in a real way with them over a meal (the bread and fish that was available at the time). I wanted to take this theme and connect it with something our culture shares in today: the act of having “coffee” with one another. When we invite others to “coffee” with us, it’s like we are inviting them to commune with us in relationship and to be real with us over a "meal" (the coffee and whatever food that might be available at the time). It’s like a portal to an ancient custom...a custom that Christ seemed to think was important for us to remember Him in. It’s that kind of relationship of heart to heart sharing over a cup and a meal that Christ desires with us and through us with others.

I created this painting with that kind of communion in mind.

eyes reMADe for WONDER

Today I painted a small mural in the bookstore of Boise Vineyard. Last year I had painted a slightly larger one with a Dead Sea Scroll & Pottery Jar (see post titled "Word UP" dated February 26, 2009). Today, I got to paint some crazy Johnny Depp Mad Hatter eyes! This was the "mad" brain child of the Pastor who oversees the bookstore & the small group ministry at Boise Vineyard. He spoke this theme in his life sermon recently when he was ordained. It's a call to us all to truly SEE...to see beyond outer appearances, to see beyond the surface, to see past our prejudice & preconceived viewpoints, to see beyond our limited circumstances...in order to see through to the heart and the wonder of life. I had a lot of fun painting this one.

I FOUND MY TRIBE!

REVIEW: ART MENTOR RETREAT

Have you ever had one of those experiences where you knew in your "knower" that something was meant for you? A place, a time, a message, a connection, a gift. That is what I experienced last weekend in Texas.

I had the honor of being able to attend a special retreat outside of Kerrville, Texas (2 hours from San Antonio) at a place called Laity Lodge. The retreat was for "Pastors & Ministers to Artists." The theme was all about being Mentors to Artists. This was "right up my alley" as it seems that much of what I do within my art business of "RevelatorArt" and within the art ministry of "VineArts" centers around the relationship I get to form with other artists (many of whom appreciate that special attention to their artist heart of who they are and desire to have someone speak into their lives in deep & meaningful ways, especially regarding the risks of pursuing their creativity. It's not just about the art, it's about the heart).

I've never been to Texas (other than the Dallas airport for a short layover years ago) and so I was very excited to get the chance to hang out in the Lone Star State and experience something so fresh and new (artist-lovin people from all over the world coming together to connect & converse and relate & recreate).

I traveled with our Director of VineArts (we were representing the arts ministry of Vineyard Boise in Boise, Idaho). We share a partnership in the arts with a heart for artists (professional and amateur) who have been wounded or stifled in their lives regarding art and who they are as artists. This retreat became a very meaningful experience for the both of us.

Laity Lodge is nestled out in the wilderness in a desert canyon that springs forth a beautiful verilian colored river (which FYI...the only way in & out of the campus is to actually DRIVE THRU the river! I'm serious! It's crazy fun!). The campus of the retreat center is spread out with peaceful walking paths between buildings that gave me the experience of being on a pilgrimage. I should take a moment to rave about the Laity Lodge. They really are amazing as they do whatever it takes to make your experience a relaxing and memorable time. The landscape is inspirational, the accomodations & food are much higher quality than any retreat center I've ever been to, and the hospitality & generousity of the staff is absolutely commendable!

There were only 50-60 people attending from all over the world (US, UK, NZ, CAN) who represented a variety of ecumenical denominations. Some people were Pastors at local churches, other people were artists that found themselves in positions as a Pastor or Director of the Arts at their local church, and others were there representing certain organizations that had interest in ministry to artists. All were there to glean what they could from each other and from the experience. It was a very intimate time of connecting as we met up for worship, teaching sessions, meals, discussion small groups, and artistic activities. And there was plenty of free time to be spent reading, writing, doing art, going for walks, napping, and generally allowing yourself to be filled up and refreshed (since most of us are normally in positions of pouring ourselves out into others).

Our main speakers were David Taylor (Arts Pastor, Author, University Instructor) and Luci Shaw (Poet, Author, Editor, Publisher). We were led in corporate worship by Bryan Brown (Music Pastor). There was special music by Miriam Jones & Jez Carr (Guitar, Piano, Vocals) and Vito & Monique Aiuto of "The Welcome Wagon" (Guitar, Various Instruments, Vocals) and Charlie Peacock (Singer-Songwriter, Record Producer, Author). We had an Encaustic Art workshop given by Phaedra Taylor (Artist). And the founders of Artslink (a para-church Art & Missions organization that is part of Operation Mobilization) were also there along with people from all over the world representing universities, local churches, and communities.

It was so meaningful to realize that as art ministers, we're not alone...this is a vital thing to know. David Taylor used the word "Tribe" when talking about artists connecting with artists. We recognize something that connects within and we belong. After all that I experienced on the retreat I wanted to shout out "I found my TRIBE!"

I'm still on the journey of processing from the retreat, so I may post more later, but I wanted to jot down some initial impressions and thoughts here.

Retreat for Pastors & Ministers to Artists

I will be attending a special arts retreat this coming weekend (March 4-7, 2010) for Pastors & Ministers to Artists. It's being held at Laity Lodge in Texas. I will be traveling with our Director of VineArts from Vineyard Boise. I'm told that the retreat will focus on the topic of mentoring artists.

I'll post details about it after I get back.

http://www.laitylodge.org/

Speaker(s): David Taylor (http://artspastor.blogspot.com/),

Luci Shaw (http://www.lucishaw.com/)

Artist(s): Phaedra Taylor (http://phaedrajeanartmachine.blogspot.com/)

Musician(s): Jez Carr, Miriam Jones, Monique Aiuto, Vito Aiuto

(http://www.myspace.com/welcometothewelcomewagon)

The Heart of the Artist

Our VineArts "The Palate" Artist Discipleship Group just started a new book study. We're going through the book "The Heart of the Artist" by Rory Noland. The book is about being an artist and being a person of faith and what that means to integrate the two by understanding and caring for our hearts. We meet the 1st & 3rd Mondays of each month from 6:30pm to 8:30pm in the VineArts Studio.

Clay Therapy

Tonight in our VineArts art discipleship group we got to play with clay. Myself and our VineArts Director jointly taught the group tonight. It was an organic time of connecting with the clay as a representation of our own lives & our own hearts in relation to God.

This is my first clay sculpture...representing me, i'm in a fetal position, small and alone, crying and completely self-focused, feeling rejected, this is what it looks like for me when i've allowed myself to be consumed by all my insecurities, fears, & hurts.

While the Director played some acoustic worship on her guitar. The rest of us spent time individually creating something abstract with the clay that represented how we have felt or seen ourselves when we are bogged down by insecurities, fears, and hurts (especially in connection to being artists). We didn't look at each others' creations, giving the privacy we needed to be honest with ourselves. Once we were finished we covered the sculptures up in plastic to keep the moisture in and also to keep them private.

Then we came together and watched a 40 minute dvd of a potter who throws pots while he speaks to groups. His teaching was all about having us relate to the clay as representing us and the potter as representing God. The picture of God creating a pot from a lump of mud was so powerful. God personally forms and shapes us for a purpose and that purpose is for the Potter's Glory. There are different stages for the pot...the mud sitting in a bucket waiting to be used, then the time the potter has his hands on the clay, there's the centering on the wheel by molding & shaping with pressure, the stretching applied inside & out by continuous forming & scraping (this whole process is exciting and personal and a time of growth and continuous care), and then once it's the shape it's meant to be...it's set aside to dry on it's own (this can be a lonely time of waiting but a time of allowing the growth to solidify)...then it's time for the pot to be fired with intense heat to bring maturity (and though the pot never sees the potter at this time, the potter is always there attentive & checking on the kiln to make sure the pot won't break), all of this hard work ultimately brings brilliance to the pot (and the potters' glory shines all over it)...and then eventually it is utilized (as a vase or a platter or a pitcher or a mug, etc.) and it's time for the pot to give out what was given into it. The Potter absolutely loves the clay and all the pots and platters and mugs and everything He makes...and each is made for a different purpose and each is in a different stage from the others.

This is my second clay sculpture...representing me, i'm part of a friendly clay coffee mug that is meant for daily use to be filled up and poured out in relationship, i've got my arms outstretched looking outward ready to dive deep, it's no longer all about me and i'm standing with courage knowing & trusting that the Potter is the one who will take the mug in his hands to use as He desires.

"Here Am I Lord, Send Me. Have Your Way."

After watching the dvd, we discussed what aspects we connected with. Then we went back to our individual clay sculptures and recreated them. We were to take the piece and reform it in a positive way as we believe God sees us (despite our insecurities & fears). While we created, we listened to a worship cd (so the Director could join in on playing with the clay also). After we were finished we came together as a group and decided to share with each other what we had formed. It was an intimate time as we shared from our hearts what we had created during the first clay exercise and why...and then we shared what we had created during the second clay exercise and why. Each of us had connected with the clay in a profound way. It was deeply meaningful for all and a great chance for some clay therapy.

archiving art experience

today i spent hours trying to archive my art experiences in somesort of organized format. it's been years since i've tried doing this kind of thing. i've been a full-time working artist for over 10 years now...so you can imagine the list is quite long. i typed meticulously on my laptop as i calculated all the art related things i've been involved with. this included my education, work experience, volunteer experience, and art shows. i came up with 11 full pages of stuff in 8pt font. and that's not including records of art & painting sales or art travel experiences. with the volume of information archived, i've got to come up with some easier and much more creative way of presentation other than a normal "resume" format. perhaps that will be one of my projects for this year...my art archives.

VineArts Gallery Art Exhibit: Abundant Joy

Here is a short video of the beginning of the Opening Reception for our new VineArts Gallery Art Exhibit titled: Abundant Joy. We have over 6o pieces of art (of various mediums) being displayed by over 30 local & national artists in this show. I took the video just as people were starting to come into the gallery for the reception. We ended up having a packed gallery as hundreds of people came through today to view the art, meet the artists, listen to the live piano & cello music, and enjoy the refreshments. The exhibit will be up for about 2.5 months.

I absolutely love being the Installation Coordinator of the VineArts Gallery. We install quarterly juried & themed exhibits. Each show is open to the public to submit (we've gotten local, national & international artists submissions). I'm so glad I'm not alone in this! It's a lot of work coordinating the entire process from advertising, creating & distributing entry packets, themes & title wall concepts, website updates, submission taking, overseeing the jurying, cateloging & archiving, producing artist statements, figuring out artwork placement within the gallery, installing & hanging the artwork, adjusting lighting, coordinating the opening reception with live music, refreshments, & advertising, and connecting & communicating with each artist. So I must thank God that I get to work side by side with an amazing team of VineArts leaders & volunteer helpers (I couldn't do any of this without them all!) And I also get to meet SO MANY extremely talented artists (of all ages, backgrounds, skill levels, genders, cultures, & media expertise) who have so much to offer and so much to share from their hearts through their creativity. It's an honor! I'm very thankful to be a part of all of this.

Teaching Pollock

Jackson Pollock

It's no surprise (if you know me personally or if you have been reading this blog) that I am inspired by American Abstract Expressionist Painter Jackson Pollock (1912-1956). His drip & splatter painting techniques have been an influence in my abstract expressionist collage paintings. People have their opinions about this kind of art. Some say "my 4 year old could do that!" and they scoff at the thousands of dollars valued on abstract paintings of this form. What they don't "get" or "value" is that splatter paintings are actually harder to create than they think. It is so much more than dripping paint onto canvas...it's about the ability to connect with the painting and express from within what the artist is feeling. It's about telling a story that can reach anyone at anytime through the heart if they would only have eyes to see and ears to hear.

"Convergence" c.1952 Jackson Pollock

Jackson is quoted to say:
"My painting does not come from the easel. I prefer to tack the unstretched canvas to the hard wall or the floor. I need the resistance of a hard surface. On the floor I am more at ease. I feel nearer, more part of the painting, since this way I can walk around it, work from the four sides and literally be in the painting. When I am in my painting, I'm not aware of what I'm doing. It is only after a sort of 'get acquainted' period that I see what I have been about. I have no fear of making changes, destroying the image, etc., because the painting has a life of its own. I try to let it come through. It is only when I lose contact with the painting that the result is a mess. Otherwise there is pure harmony, an easy give and take, and the painting comes out well."

It was January of 2005 when I took my first plunge into expressionism. Some friends gave me the use of their basement for a day to fling the paint and give it a go. I was hooked from the moment I let the first bit of colorful paint fly.

I found an amazing sense of freedom within as I experimented with various house paints to create several abstracts with the drippling and splattering techniques that Pollock perfected.

Since that first basement experience I have perfected my own style with abstract expressionism, utilizing Pollock's techniques as an enhancement to what I create. I can understand what Pollock was talking about regarding being IN the painting. It's like the painting has a story to tell and I'm the interpreter.

"Sweetly Broken" c.2007 Lisa Marten

I have had the opportunity to teach 3 abstract expressionist workshops to adults and teens since 2005 and each time has been a fun and invigorating experience. And now for a 4th time...I was recently asked to be a guest speaker/teacher for an art class taught at the Home School Co-Op at Vineyard Boise. I got to teach 2 days about Jackson Pollock and give a class of Jr. High youth a chance to create some splatter paintings of their own. It was really cool to watch them go from being disengaged & apathetic as youth, to really having fun and getting into the paint and engaging with what they were creating. I love it when I see that transformation take place.

Not everyone is a fan...and that's okay. And yes, Jackson was no saint. But I'm thankful for artists like Jackson Pollock...hearts that cry out through their creativity and speak to us to wake up & look at our own hearts...to be who we were meant to be. We need hearts like that in this world!

Fullfillment

"Our gifts are not from God to us, but from God through us to the world. When we fail to use these gifts, we suffer the same way a person accustomed to regular physical activity may feel pent up, out of sorts, and off-balance after going for several days without exercise. When we try to live without exercising our artistic gifts, we may feel restless and empty. Life lacks fullness. Something buried deep within longs to emerge...If we have neglected to develop and use the talents God has given us, we feel incomplete, unfulfilled, unfinished, even depressed...We devour books, we travel, we acquire possessions, or we busy ourselves in relationships and careers. We engage in diversions of all kinds in an attempt to find that elusive thing called fulfillment. We spend our time and money in a fruitless search to 'find ourselves' instead of finding out how God wants us to use the talents he has given us."

-Janice Elsheimer The Creative Call: An Artist's Response to the Way of the Spirit

I have the priviledge of hanging out on a regular basis with artists of all kinds of backgrounds, ages, genders, ethnicity, skill levels, medium choices, and faiths. The subject of 'fulfillment in life' comes up almost every day, especially when it comes to our creativity. It is amazing to me at how many artists struggle with this one subject more than anything else.

"Our vocation in not simply to be, but to work together with God in the creation of our own life, our own identity, our own destiny." -Thomas Merton

I believe there is something to this idea of partnering with God in our creativity and in our lives. Partnering with God involves allowing your heart to sing the same song that the Spirit is singing and being of one heart with the Father and one mind with Christ. It is conversation in prayer with the expression of needs & wants & daring to dream. It is listening to the heart of the Father, letting go, listening to the words of Jesus, acceptance, listening to the voice of the Spirit, agreement. And it's the willingness to wait when you're to wait, and to take action when you're to take action.

"Before I can listen to God in prayer, I must fumble through the prayers of words, of willful demands, the prayers of childish 'Gimmes,' of 'Help mes,' of 'I want...' Until I tell God what I want, I have no way of knowing whether or not I truly want it. Unless I ask God for something, I do not know whether or not it is something for which I ought to ask, and I cannont add, 'But if this is not your will for me, then your will is what I want, not mine.' The prayers of words cannot be eliminated. And I must pray them daily, whether I feel like praying or not. Otherwise, when God has something to say to me, I will not know how to listen. Until I have worked through self, I will not be enabled to get out of the way.

Someone wrote, 'The principal part of faith is patience,' and this applies, too, to art of all disciplines. We must work every day whether we feel like it or not; otherwise when it comes time to get out of the way and listen to the work, we will not be able to heed it." -Madeleine L'Engle, Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art

So are we living a life fulfilled? Are we partnering with God in our creativity and in our lives and being all that we were meant to be? Or are we caught up in distractions & diversions, fears & rejections, false selves & pride? Through all the noise of the "I can't"s that scream in our ears, are we not even able to hear our own voices, let alone God's voice? These are my questions this year...for my life and for yours. Are we awake and alive in our hearts? Or are we asleep and slowly dying? What will it take for us to say YES and stop saying NO?

2009 Newsletter: a year of ART in review

“The Glory of God is man fully alive”-St. Ireneaus
This has been an amazing year of dreams being fulfilled and freedom being released within my heart.

I turned 40 this year (Gasp! No Way!) and (to use a quoted phrase about a dear artist friend upon his passing) I am finding that I’m just now beginning to come into my “Sweet Spot” in life.

This newsletter is jam packed with stuff that has poured out from my heart this year. Even this is not complete (there’s no way to describe everything here!) Thank you for taking the time to read & catch up with me.

The Palate—Writers Guild—VineArts Studio—The New Renaissance
In January I began to co-lead with Jessie (our VineArts Director), a discipleship group (also known as a small group or home group) for creative types. We meet each month on the 1st & 3rd Mondays from 6:30pm to 8:30pm in the VineArts Studio to “feed our inner artist” through Bible study, worship, prayer, poetry, book study, film, sketching, painting, writing, music, clay, and many other artistic expression.

Also in January I began leading the Writers Guild that I’ve belonged to for 8 years. It meets in the café area of Barnes & Noble in Boise the 3rd Saturday of every month from 9:30am to 11am.

During the summer VineArts inherited a large garage space to be renovated into our new Studio. Myself & The VineArts leadership team spent tons of hours preparing for our launch in September. We now hold all of our activities in the Studio (and we have Open Studio hours every Wed. from 3pm to 8:30pm for people to come & create freely). For more info about VineArts: www.vineyardboise.org/Ministries/VineArts.aspx

Saturday Nov. 21 was a Worldwide Arts Renewal Celebration. The Pope invited 500 world renowned artists to join him in the Sistine Chapel to discuss a new era of Art & Faith. The Protestant church joined in & called forth artists and churches to launch a New Renaissance that would bring art back into the church and out from the church. VineArts met in our Studio to celebrate this worldwide renewal.

Jerry Fee Concerts
My friend Jerry Fee is a well known local musician/song writer/recording artist. I’ve known Jerry ever since I moved to Boise back in 99 and he has a heart of gold. He enjoys supporting local talent by bringing them along-side him when he plays at various gigs around the Treasure Valley.

Jerry blessed me by asking me to paint live during a couple of his concerts in Boise.

In January I got the opportunity to paint live at one of his concerts in Boise (a benefit concert for a local charity). It was held at the Visual Arts Collective (a place that has a stage for bands/drama/live entertainment , an art gallery, and a bar). There were 4 bands playing that night. I painted 3 themed-original mixed media abstract expressionist collage paintings during the live sets, then we raffled them off at the end of the night.

In April I had another opportunity to paint live at a Jerry Fee concert...this time for Jerry’s new cd release (“Still Alive”) party at The Record Exchange in downtown Boise (a local music store with coffee bar & a stage for live music). I painted one themed-original mixed media abstract expressionist collage painting during his entire set. The painting told the story of each of the songs on the album. Then we raffled the painting off at the end of the night. You can check out Jerry’s music at: http://www.jerryfeemusic.com/

Revelation UnCorked—Bookstore Mural—CORE/DG Art and Worship
In January one of the pastors at Vineyard Boise asked me to paint live during a 2 week class he was teaching on the Book of Revelation. He wanted to present the artistic-apocalyptic book in creative ways. So I created a themed-original mixed media abstract expressionist collage painting live during the classes that represented Rev. 12:7-12. Later it was purchased to permanently hang in the church’s bookstore.

Speaking of the bookstore...in February I was hired to paint a mural on one of the walls. I did a painting of a Dead Sea Scroll & Pottery Jar next to some text speaking of the Word of God.

Then in September I joined some of our VineArts Leaders to help facilitate an Art & Worship Night for the youth of Vineyard Boise (The CORE) and in October we helped facilitate an Art & Worship Night for one of the home groups from the church. We prepped large canvases for them to paint on side by side while there was live worship music played. Both nights were about creating in community.

Forerunner Café
In March I had the privilege to be a featured artist in a local talent arts events held by The Forerunner Café in a venue downtown Boise called The Watercooler.

My friends Lisa & Suzanne have hearts to promote local talent so they started The Forerunner Café as a way to do this. The night was a themed semi-formal dessert theatre. There were 7 local talents featured (a hip-hop dance troupe, an acoustic guitarist with original songs, a ballroom dance instructing, a poet, a film maker, an actor, and a painter) with live performances.

I created a themed-original mixed media abstract expressionist collage painting live to a song specifically chosen for me. (“Somewhere Over The Rainbow/A Wonderful World” by Israel Kamakawiwo’Ole) I titled the painting “Dreams”. It was raffled off at the end of the evening.

Art Shows
During the year I had the chance to display my paintings in 5 local art exhibits in Boise.

In January we installed a VineArts Exhibit titled: “Transformation”. It was the second exhibit we themed with this title over the 5 years that we’ve had the VineArts Gallery open. In April we installed a VineArts Exhibit titled: “The Creator’s Heart”. And in July we installed a VineArts Exhibit titled “Refuge in You”. All of these exhibits were themed & juried.

In August I also entered a painting into The Western Idaho Fair: Fine Arts Display in the Expo Building. The art is judged for prizes. I enjoy submitting each year for the viewing exposure.

In October I was a featured artist at The Garden City Library in Boise for their ongoing “Books & Brushes” Art Exhibit. It was the first art show I have done (outside of the VineArts Gallery) in about 3 years. I had 15 original impressionist oil landscapes displayed. I shared the month with a local colored pencil artist & friend (Beverly), and we hung our work side by side for a nice contrast. If you’re interested in checking out Beverly’s art, you can go to her website: http://www.chickartisticcreations.com/

Heart of David Backdrop—Paul’s Epistles Backdrop
In January a I worked along with a team of VineArts artists to create the second painted backdrop for Vineyard Boise’s sanctuary. The backdrop coincided with the sermon series “The Heart of David” and told the story of King David’s life through an abstract painting with lots of symbolism interspersed.

And during the summer I worked along with a team of VineArts artists to create the third painted backdrop for Vineyard Boise’s sanctuary. The backdrop coincided with the sermon series “Paul’s Prison Epistles” and represented a prison cell (where Paul wrote the books of Colossians, Philemon, Philippians, & Ephesians) through an abstract painting.

The backdrops are 3 paneled canvas paintings (each panel is 12 feet high & 18 feet wide). We hung the blank panels and projected a rough outline onto the 3 panels using an overhead and some chalk. Then we took them down and we painted the canvases on the floor and used large brushes, mops, brooms, and all sorts of various materials to create texture.

On the Sunday that the backdrops were revealed to the church, myself and Jessie (our VineArts Director) joined the worship team on stage to apply finishing touches to the paintings live during the morning worship services.

Book Illustration—CD Graphic Design—Pastel Workshop
The book I illustrated, “Formation Generation” by author Robert Michael Kurz, was officially released in March.

I have over 20 detailed illustrations published within the book. It is now available at http://www.formationgeneration.com/, on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, and at all major bookstores. I have been honored to be a part of this ground-breaking & nationally heralded publication about prayer for the pre-born.

This year I have also been privileged to be a part of 2 music cd graphic design projects for Idaho musicians Sigi Koefod and Daniel Cordova. I’ve enjoyed broadening my creative skills in the graphics field and have been blessed to be part of other artists’ publications.

You can check out Sigi Koefod’s music at: http://www.sigikoefod.com/
You can check out Daniel Cordova’s music at: http://www.facebook.com/

In November I taught a 3 hour VineArts workshop on oil pastels and soft pastels. It was a well attended class and I enjoyed teaching some basic & experimental techniques with the 2 mediums that I had started my art career out with.

What next?
I’m looking forward to 2010 with anticipation of many more heart filled creative adventures to come!

May God pour out His creative love into you and may you be released to be fully who you were made to be.

Dive deep!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Lisa

The New Renaissance Rising WorldWide Art Day

Today artists met in the VineArts Studio in Boise, Idaho to celebrate together. Click on the YouTube link to watch a short video created by artist & author J.Scott McElroy talking about The New Renaissance Rising and what it means for artists and churches worldwide:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bYqzxEXpmc We utilized Video

Worship & Prayer

Teaching & Sharing

Art & Creativity

I had so much fun! I love it when we come together for a common purpose! This is the painting I created during our New Renaissance Celebration. It's a 30x40 mixed media abstract expressionist collage on canvas. I call this "The Spirit of Joy" based on the Scripture Isaiah 61.