Art in August

Do you want to see my art up close, live & in person?

I will be the featured artist for the month of August at The District Coffee House in downtown Boise located at 110 S. 5th St. I will have a number of my abstract expressionist mixed media paintings on display and for sale. Yes...for sale!

Come see my art, have a coffee, hang out and chat with me on First Thursday August 4th for my Opening Night. I'll be there from 5pm to 9pm.

Downtown Boise is always hopping during First Thursday with live music, new art shows, delicious places to eat, and good times awaiting you! So come on out and make it an artistically fun night of it!

My paintings will be showing at The District for the month of August...oh, and they have live music every Friday & Saturday night. Their hours are Monday-Thursday 7:30am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 7:30am-11pm, Sunday 9am-5pm. http://www.districtcoffeehouse.com

The place rocks by the way! They have great coffee, great food, great music, great art, great atmosphere, and great employees! So come on down to the District! :)

Community...what does it look like?

i love love love what i get to do in life! this week i had the priviledge of partnering with another VineArts leader to facilitate a special night of art for a group of about 15 young adults who desired to connect creatively with each other and with the concept of community. this kind of special night of art is an experience that VineArts offers to small and large groups of all sorts as a way of interacting through art for one purpose...to connect in community and to connect with God. people coming together to create one piece of art together. It sounds easy but it requires individuals (who may or may not have any experience artistically) to bring whatever they have within themselves to a common canvas and allow others to paint alongside of them in order to create one unified fluid piece of art together (with no plan or prep) while still allowing their own "voices" to be heard through the creative process.

We start out with a simple outline on a blank canvas. this image comes about through the teamwork of the VineArts leaders involved. We get together ahead of time to discuss and pray about a starting point for the group that will be experiencing the night of art. Sometimes there are discussions ahead of time with the leaders of the groups to get a feel for where the group is & what they're focus is. That way we can best know where to launch them from...so it's relevant to who they are. For this particular event we came up with imagery that included people gathering to wash and anoint feet (this sprung from the Scriptures in the Gospels talking about the woman pouring expensive perfume & oil over Jesus' feet, washing them with her tears & hair, and also when Jesus washed his disciples feet at the Last Supper...both a picture of Jesus preparing people for ministry & people giving their all back to God in ministry). The leaders of this group let us know that their intention of the night was to do something in community with each other that would speak of community...and that they could submit to the next VineArts Gallery Exhibit titled "With Everything" (about giving everything we are to God).

night of, we spend some time talking with the group about the topic and explaining painting techniques and ideas that they can implement in the painting as long as they don't actually destroy what someone else has done, but rather enhance it and expand upon it. then we encourage the group leaders to pray for the group. once the intro is over we set them loose on the canvas...we have music playing in the background...and we let the night ebb & flow as it needs to. the fun thing about these kinds of art nights is the group dynamics that happen throughout the night. i love to watch the transition from individuals to community. regardless of whether people have experience with art or not, they tend to start out as a bunch of individuals apprehensively approaching the canvas with colors and filling in the spaces as if it were a coloring book.

some people tend to hang back and let others go forth in order to allow ideas to stew...but others hang back because they're sort of scared to paint...as if what they have to offer isn't going to be good enough to the project.

throughout the night we will interact with the group (sometimes we'll talk with someone one on one, sometimes we'll address the whole group, sometimes we encourage the leaders of the group to interact with their own members to encourage). we want everyone to find their creative voice to add to the piece (maybe it's paint and brush or paint & fingers, maybe it's with pen and words, maybe it's with paper & glue, maybe it's with objects and layered texture, maybe it's with water & spray bottle allowing paint to drip, or rags & paint, or splattering) it all is a part of the creative process moving from individuals creating side by side to one cohesive group creating together.

i love that moment in these events when you can actually watch a kind of miracle happen and the group begins to create as if one voice, working together, communicating together, discussing ideas, implementing ideas...together. there's an intensified level of energy at this moment. and those of us who are facilitating are able to step back and watch this community take place right before our eyes...it's a beautiful thing to witness.

the addition of color & drips that create a mood....

little addition of details that enhance the composition...

the addition of paper & objects (like dirt & flowers) that create a layered effect & texture...

the addition of words that have meaning to the group...

the addition of interactive splatter that gives that finishing touch...

here it is...a creative piece about community created in community by a community for a community. Truly this is a beautiful thing to be a part of !!! At the end of the night we gather everyone together and have them discuss their thoughts, impressions & experiences of the night and then we spend sometime praying to close. By the closing prayer everyone is typically so exhausted from being stretched mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually but the energy levels don't dissapate because they're also so excited and energized and astonished about what they just experienced and created that they don't want to go home...they want to continue connecting in community! i love love LOVE what i get to do !!!!!!

Heading to L.A. Cali for CIVA

this week i'm heading to Los Angeles with our Director of VineArts Jessie Nilo http://vineartsboise.org/, to attend the CIVA conference at Biola University. we'll be joining professional artists from all over who share a common faith in God. this year author David Taylor http://artspastor.blogspot.com/ will be teaching the "Art and the Church" track and author J.Scott McElroy http://jscottmc.wordpress.com/ will be teaching the "Spiritual Formation" track. Jessie will partner with Scott on a special panel of artists that will share about the "Spiritual Practices of Artists" and later offer a time of prayer ministry in the chapel for anyone who is attending the conference.
you can check out the conference tracks, speakers, sessions & workshops here: http://civa.org/resources/civa-events/2011-biennial-conference/

Painting Live: Party For A Purpose: A Benefit for the Joplin Tornado Survivors

I want to announce:

I am honored to have been asked to paint live at this benefit concert event to raise funds for the Red Cross to help the survivors of the Joplin, Missouri tornado devastation.

Saturday June 25th, 2011

10pm-2am

Ophedia Studio in Boise

Featured music by The Blue Cinema www.thebluecinema.com and other local musicians.

Arial & visual artists to perform & an art auction available.

There will be a dancefloor & live DJ along with an open martini & beer bar.

$50 per ticket, additional donations accepted.

Let's PARTY FOR A PURPOSE!

Retreat for Pastors & Ministers to Artists 2011

I once again had the amazing opportunity to attend the Retreat for Pastors & Ministers to Artists at Laity Lodgehttp://www.laitylodge.org/laity-lodge-retreat-for-pastors-and-ministers-to-artists-2/ outside of Kerrville, Texas. It's a retreat specifically tailored for those of us who find ourselves in the mentor role to artists. There were under 50 of us from all various Christian denominations and from all over the States and the world, who share a similiar heart for artists, gathered at this intimate setting to connect & learn from each other.
Four of us leaders from the VineArts ministry http://www.vineartsboise.org/(under the umbrella of Vineyard Boise Church) embarked on this artistic adventure together. We were excited to share with others what we have within our VineArts community and to learn about what happening elsewheres in art ministries all over.


The retreat center is located in a remote river canyon miles outside of Kerrville, Texas. Laity Lodge can only be reached by driving through the Frio River...literally!!!

It's a beautiful setting for the chance to get away from it all (no cellphone coverage, no internet, no TV, etc.) and relax.
The retreat allows for plenty of mingling and conversing time around meals and free time. This was so valuable in order to connect with each other.


The speaking sessions were created to till the ground for conversations with each other throughout the weekend which fostered relationship and challenged ideas. Along with the main speaker sessions taught by David Taylor & Frederica Mathews-Green, there were workshops given on encaustic art, iconography, theatrical Scripture reading, art & faith in the marketplace, and a tour of an art exhibit about Rwanda in the gallery on site.
I enjoyed getting to know the caliber of people who attended. We were all on the same ground...no matter what our "titles" or "education" or "economic status" or "artistic background" or "faith denomination" was...we were all there for one common purpose to share in community.


They have an art studio at the center and we had the chance to take an encaustic workshop (the ancient artform of layering&fusing with beeswax) taught by Phaedra Taylor & Shannon Newby.

Daniel Domig from Vienna, Austria http://www.currentlynowhere.com/current/(an installation artist) led us in discussion about being artists of faith within the marketplace.

David Taylor http://artspastor.blogspot.com/(artist, author, and head of the retreat) spoke to us about character development as art ministers.

Frederica Mathews-Green http://www.frederica.com/(author, pastor, and wife to Gregory-an Orthodox priest) spoke to us about the importance of prayer & worship when creating art for the artist of faith.

Brooke Waggoner http://www.brookewaggoner.com/(singer/songwriter & musician from Nashville, Tennesee) shared some of her songs with us.

The grounds of Laity Lodge are layed out for the peaceful enjoyment of meditation & contemplative prayer while you stay.
The dock on the river offers swimming, boating, and picturesque beauty to soak up.

I got to kayak (which was a first for me) and had a blast during and after the retreat (as our team from Boise & a few others were able to stayover an additional night before our flights out).

I made some new friends & reconnected with friends I had met last year from all over the world as we shared in rich conversation around intimate meals and gorgeous scenery.
The retreat was once again a highlight of my year...a chance to get away and relax, a chance to meet new people, a chance to learn new things & be challenged, a chance to listen & hear God in regards to direction within arts ministry, and a chance to continue to step into my calling as an art minister/mentor (in & out of the church). I LOVE WHAT I GET TO DO!!!!

Creative Expression of Worship

okay...i am someone who enjoys traditional liturgical worship to God & modern spontaneous worship to God. and whether i'm in a traditional church (like an Anglican church)or a modern church (like a Vineyard church), and whether i'm in the States or another country...i enjoy worshipping with the Body of Christ...however that looks. but i do believe that the winds of change are blowing within in the Christian Church world-wide (regardless of the denomination or if it's Protestant or Catholic). there seems to be a "New Renaissance" taking place within churches around the world. the arts are breaking loose within the Church. what used to be relegated for "special services" or "Holy Day" emphasis is now being brought into the weekly worship experience more and more within churches today. no longer are people just singing songs & listening to sermons, people are allowing more interactive worship...there's a greater acceptance for creative & more Spirit led heart felt worship to God within church services. painting, dance, music, writing, photography, drama, film, sculpting, etc. and with the inclusion of the arts there seems to come an outpouring of people connecting at a deeper more authentic level within worship to God.

a couple of weeks ago i attended a weekend conference called ONE THING REMAINS. Jesus Culture musicians/speakers Kim Walker-Smith and Jake Hamilton led us to a deeper level of understanding God's love for us. during the worship times there were artists who painted to the music.

it was inspiring to say the least! i truly believe that we all learn & connect differently (God made us this way)...and the "model" of church for so long has reached a certain type of people (those who can easily experience God through singing a few songs & sitting & listening to someone speak). But there are so many more of us who learn & connect easier through other types of creative ways (utilizing all of our senses). when a church allows the arts to be a part of worship in a more kinetic way it opens the doors for so many more people to connect with God!

this painting was about the winds of change...

last night i traveled with a team of artists from VineArts to join another church for their worship service. it was so fun to experience worship so creatively! there was music & singing, painting, dance, art being created by everyone, and lots & lots of beautiful people of all ages, expressing their love, praise, thanks, and hearts to God in creative ways.

this was a dance troop called One Force that performed street dancing as a form of worship to God!

this little girl gave it her all as she painted as an expression of her worship to God!

this artist is from Pennsylvania! he flew out to Idaho to partner with us in the arts!

here i am doing what i love to do...paint as worship to God!

this painting was about recognizing the various stages of our lives and how God can use us to bless others within each.

this painting was about Christ the Savior (sacrificial lamb) and Christ the King (Lion of Judah)

this is the painting i created. i call it Furious Love. it's based on Psalm 107:23-31...about God being in the storm & in the calm. we cry out to him in our desperate need & his love stills our fears.

i'm excited to see more and more of the creative arts brought into the church!!! keep a watch out...cuz it's happening!!!

*photos taken by S.Coffield & J.Rold & J.Nilo

VineArts Gallery Exhibit "Broken"

Here is a short video of the Opening Reception for the VineArts Gallery exhibit "Broken".

"The exhibit explores the state of brokenness and pain: having a broken heart, becoming broken over the reality of our own sin, the fallenness of this world, and our desperate need for a Savior; reflecting on how Christ willingly became broken because of His great love for us."

This is the VineArts Gallery 25th exhibit. With 63 artists submitting to the themed/juried show and almost 100 pieces of art...this is our largest exhibit we've installed in the 6 years we've been open.

The show will be up for 2 1/2 months. Please stop by and have a look through the gallery when you can. It is located in Garden City (Boise) inside the Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Boise at 4950 N. Bradley St. It's open Tuesdays thru Fridays 9am - 5pm and Sundays 9am - 2pm.

As the VineArts Gallery Installation Coordinator I want to thank my installation team "The Gallery Grunts" and all those who had a hand in installing this exhibit and helping to make it such a success.

Upcoming Summer Art & Worship Conferences

photo from the www.jesuspainter.com

I know it's a long list of links...but take some time to click on each of them to check out what's going on this summer in the world of Art & Worship Conferences in the US (and I know I haven't even found them all! most of these are in the West)...so much to choose from!

I personally will be attending the One Thing Conference at Vineyard Meridian (Meridian, Idaho) in May, the Retreat for Pastors & Ministers to Artists at Laity Lodge (Kerrville, Texas) in May, the CIVA bienniel conference at Biola University (LA, California) in June, and the Cultivation Generation Conference at Vineyard Boise (Boise, Idaho) in August.

AND I have artist friends who will be attending those and also the School of Supernatural Creativity at Bethel Church (Redding, California) in May, and the School of Prophetic Arts at Christ Church (Kirkland, Washington).


http://www.vineyardmeridian.com/calendar/upcoming-events/one-thing-remains-conference/

http://www.laitylodge.org/laity-lodge-retreat-for-pastors-and-ministers-to-artists-2/

http://www.ibethel.org/events/2011/02/bethel-school-of-supernatural-creativity-redding-ca

http://www.schoolofpropheticarts.org/

http://civa.org/resources/civa-events/2011-biennial-conference/

http://www.cultivationgeneration.com/conference/index.html

traveling worship painters

last night a team of artists from VineArts in Boise made a short roadtrip to Onatario, Oregon to join with a small church, (Christian Life Fellowship) there that has an arts ministry (Echo Arts) that was birthed out of VineArts, for an evening art & worship service. while their worship band played and led the congregation in song for almost 2 hours, three of us created paintings as a part of that worship leading. partnering with the Holy Spirit and having worshipful hearts during these kinds of creative moments is key. the images and words that us artists created on canvas resounded with the people and God truly had some very specific things to encourage and impart them (that those of us from VineArts were unaware of on a conscious level). it's these kinds of moments that get me really excited because i get to see and hear God's heart for people in a real specific way...and it's so sweet to play a small part in that interaction.

this artist is from Oregon and she is interning with VineArts to learn more about art ministries...this was her first time painting during worship. she poured her heart into it.

this artist is on our VineArts leadership team. she has painted during worship in many churches here and overseas. at one point while creating this painting she got people to become part of the process...she painted their hands and let them place their handprints on the canvas.

here i am in the process of creating the first layer of the painting i was doing. i painted several layers throughout the night.

this painting is all about God releasing the harvesters to the harvest.

this painting is all about God calming the storms in our lives.

this is what the painting ended up looking like once i was finished. it's based on Malachi 3:10..."bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." i had the sense that God was wanting to tell them that if they give all of themselves to Him, He will honor that and release so much in their lives...whatever, however that would look like.

*photos taken by j.nilo