The REVELATOR Exhibit

I've just installed an exhibit of 12 of my original mixed media abstract expressionist paintings (ranging in sizes from 24in by 30in all the way to 4ft by 5ft) for a featured art show in the old Quarter Barrel building that the VineArts Studio is now housed in on Chinden in Boise (4902 Chinden Blvd., Boise). 

It's a limited time exhibit only showing for one week during The National 2016 Creative Church Conference being held in Boise at Vineyard Boise Church (sponsored by The New Renaissance, VineArts, Art Fruition, and Intervarsity Press).

The gallery will be open for The Creative Church Conference ATTENDEES ONLY on Friday July 29 from 12:30pm-3:30pm, Saturday July 30 from 12:30pm-5pm, and Sunday July 31 from 1pm-3pm. 

The original paintings are for sale to help fund my future art ministry travels. I also plan on making prints available of all 12 paintings (but at the moment only a couple of them have been digitally shot for prints). If you're interested in purchasing a painting you can contact me by email: revelatorart@yahoo.com 

I have 2 series being exhibited in: 

"THE REVELATOR EXHIBIT"

THE CONVERSATION SERIES

The concept behind this series has come from 6 years of traveling internationally as an Art Minister, utilizing creativity as a way of connecting cross-culturally with communities around the world.

There are conversations going on all the time that God is having with people. I believe that creativity is a language that God speaks (being the Almighty Creator) and it’s a language we all speak (being His creations made in His image). It allows me to come alongside others all over the world, to listen in on the conversations that are already happening between God and them, and enter into those conversations in creative artistic  ways and build relationship. It’s a relational collaboration between myself, God, and others.

These paintings have come about out of a process of allowing these conversations to permeate my heart and mind and spirit and make their way onto the canvas through imagery. 

My desire behind this series is for the viewer to spend some time with the paintings and experience a personal form of Visio Divina (Divine Seeing): much like Lectio Divina (Divine Reading: praying with Scripture) it’s a method for contemplative prayer with images or other media to look beyond and to hear from within. 

Richard Rohr states, “Contemplation is an exercise in keeping your heart and mind spaces open long enough for the mind to see other hidden material.” Perhaps through this form of prayer there can be a continued conversation between our Creator and each other. 

May we be part of the conversation, and as my friend Dean Estes says, may we “paint on each other’s lives”

WHEN YOU WALK INTO THE ROOM

24x30 mixed media on canvas 

$636

(prints available in various sizes/prices)

THE AIR IN OUR LUNGS

24x30 mixed media on canvas

$636

(prints available in various sizes/prices)

SET A FIRE

36x48 mixed media on canvas

$954

I WILL PURSUE YOU

36x48 mixed media on canvas

$954

POUR IT OUT

40x50 mixed media on canvas

$1,060

UNSTOPPABLE LOVE

4ftx5ft mixed media on canvas

$1,590 (SOLD) 

THE REVELATION SERIES

The concept behind this series has come from 33 years of a deep wrestling relationship with the Book of Revelation, all the way back to the start of my journey with Christ. In fact, this connection to Revelation is the reason my art business is called ‘revelatorART”.

The Book of Revelation is a book that is highly controversial, misunderstood, over-interpreted, and often feared. People seem to go to extremes and either obsess over it or avoid it completely. 

For me, the book has always been about God’s creativity and His Sovereignty-the Artist Warrior God in Love with His Tribe. The words of the vision given to John the Revelator are full of imagery and drama, God’s desire for relationship with His creation and His unstoppable love that is willing to fight to the death is the adventurous story that tugs at my heart and gets my blood pumping. It’s an epic story of love that compels this heart to worship. 

There are mysteries within the Book of Revelation that I am quick to admit I don’t understand and I don’t know if I ever will. I’m okay with that. As an artist, it is my desire to journey through it’s pages in an attempt to process creatively what my heart is connecting with: the LOVE of the Almighty God our Creator with us His creation. 

22 paintings:1 for each of the 22 chapters of the Book of Revelation. The paintings aren’t meant to be systematic theological interpretations, they are creative responses. These are the first 6 that I have completed. They are not in chronological order. But they are the chapters that have spoken to me the strongest and I have felt compelled to complete them first.

REV #6

3ftx3ft mixed media on canvas

$954

REV #12

3ftx3ft mixed media on canvas

$954

REV #16

3ftx3ft mixed media on canvas

$954

REV #19

3ftx3ft mixed media on canvas

$954

REV #20

3ftx3ft mixed media on canvas

$954

REV #22

3ftx3ft mixed media on canvas

$954

I will update if I'm able to have a PUBLIC showing for this exhibit. And I will also update as I have prints available for each of the paintings. I will continue creating the remainder of the Revelation series and will post them as they are completed. 

Painting Live

I'm an abstract expressionist artist and live painter, I'm the sole-proprieter of my art business "revelatorART", the co-founder of the local Boise performance art company "Marten Evergreen",  I'm an art minister with the local Boise arts ministry "VineArts", and I travel the world connecting cross culturally in communities through creativity. I work in mixed media painting. I create most of my work in my studio, but I often paint live as a way to allow the creative process to be a collaborative conversation between me (the artist), the audience, and (if available) other artists, musicians, dancers, and speakers. 

Over this last week I had 2 really cool opportunities to paint live in 2 very different venues, collaborating with 2 very different groups, to converse with 2 very different audiences. 

 I painted live on a stage in a church during their Sunday morning services and I also painted live in the display window of a downtown city center vintage clothing shop. 

What I loved about both very different experiences is that in each opportunity, of creating art live in front of people, there was the chance to connect with people not only visually (as I painted) but also conversely (either during or afterwards). Connecting with people is the main reason I paint live. Yes it's a cool thing to get to show the world the creative things that are within me as they find their way onto the canvas. But it's an even cooler thing to talk with people and have them share with me what they are/were experiencing by watching me create the art, or have them share with me what's going on in their lives and how the simple vulnerable act of me creating something in front of them became a safe invitation for them to open up too. It's a really cool thing! 

For me, human interaction is the stuff of life. It doesn't matter to me if I'm in a Christian church, in a shop on a busy city center street, performing at an art event, accompanying a band at a concert, creating something special at a birthday party or private event, or connecting cross culturally in a community overseas. Painting live is like the ice breaker for conversation (art is only the language) so human to human hearts can connect. 

That's what I'm about. I'm all about the heart to heart. I'm all about the love. 

Painting Live at Vineyard Boise Church:

 photo taken by J. Nilo

Abstraction in design within a church.

photo taken by J. Nilo

Collaborating with the band that led the congregation in song.

 photo taken by J. Nilo

Collaborating with Pastor Mike Freeman as he spoke to the congregation. 

The finished painting. A parable of Jesus about being generous to others with what we've been given.

It is only one of many style-similar images that local artists are creating at the church on Sunday mornings May-Sept 2016 to illustrate the parables of Jesus. They are being hung up as a backdrop to the stage in the sanctuary. 

Painting Live at LUX Fashion Lounge in Boise:

Partnering with local shop owners to help support local (both ways!)

 photo taken by R. Rodriquez 

Abstract Expressionism within a shop window.

 photo taken by G. Deeming

Interacting with people watching.

The stopping point for the painting at the end of the night. It morphed and changed throughout the 3 hour time I was creating it. It went from complete abstract to an impression of the Boise River. I don't know what it will end up actually looking like, but I will finish it up in my studio.

And this is the finished painting after spending some more time with it in my art studio. It's still representing the river....but I moved it back into more of an abstract expressionist painting rather than impressionism (which is what it was moving into while I was painting live). I really like how it turned out. I realize that I couldn't really have done the splatter effect the way that I really wanted to do in this painting while painting it live in the shop because of being in close quarters in the display window and in such close proximity to clothes racks and other merchandise. Once I was in my studio I had the freedom to let the painting go where it wanted to go. 

Painting Live at LUX Downtown Boise for July 7 First Thursday

I get the really cool opportunity to paint live during the July Boise First Thursday Art Walk events downtown on July 7! 

I'll be set up in the window at LUX FASHION LOUNGE at 817 W. Idaho St. from 5:30pm till roughly 9pm. 

If you're in the downtown area that night enjoying the art, the music, the shopping, the food, and the entertainment...stop by and check out what I'm doing and have a look around the shop, there's some great finds in LUX.  

When Creativity Ripples

Boise Abstract Artist Sara Hill in her studio.

So a couple of years ago I was hanging out in the VineArts Studio in Boise's Garden City. There was an abstract art workshop going on and though I wasn't involved in it, I was enjoying overhearing the conversations amongst the artists attending and getting to peek at their creations. At one point one of the students was commenting with excitement about a 6ft x 12ft "Pollock-like" splatter painting that was hanging on one of the walls and asked who painted it.  One of the workshop facilitators explained that it had been a painting that was created during another workshop a few years prior and that the artist who taught it was sitting over on the couches. The student approached me with the hugest smile and a bubbly enthusiasm (I was the artist who the facilitator was referring to) to inquire about the painting and also if I taught lessons. And that was the beginning of a 2 year teaching relationship with Sara Hill and myself. 

Sara (newly retired) was looking to learn abstract techniques and mediums experientially in order to be inspired to progress in her own art making. She had goals and was eager to learn and thirsty for whatever she could soak up from those whose work she admired. I was honored to walk with her side by side as we explored playful expression in my studio together. 

I've been teaching private one on one lessons since around 2003 and have encountered many talented artists (young and old) throughout the years. Sara was one of those students that had a natural talent and eye to see beyond the technical skills of composition, tonal value, medium, surface and texture. She learned intuitively...and for me, that is the easiest way to teach. Each lesson she came with joy and anticipation for learning something new. It was a pure joy to help guide her at a time in her creative journey when she just needed to give herself permission to play and experiment, have fun and grow. Even in the moments of struggle to look beyond what that pesky left brain perfectionist can't see...Sara took the struggles as challenges to move herself and her art forward. 

Our lessons were no longer needed...as she and I mutually recognized she had gained what she needed to learn with me and it was time for her to launch out into her artistic adventures. 

A year or so has gone by. 

Recently she contacted me to let me know she was going to be exhibiting at a local multi-artist outdoor art show (it would be her first art show!) where she would have the opportunity to sell her original paintings and prints. She was excited to show me her new studio and wanted my input on her new work. 

When I showed up at her studio I was blown away! I spent an afternoon hanging out with her...catching up and listening to her enthusiastically explain and express her creative process to me show me all the various work she's so prolifically been creating. And WOW! She has been prolific! 

Many times throughout she let me know how much she appreciated all the lessons and time we spent in my studio learning together. She thanked me and credited me for being the one who helped her find her artistic voice and help her learn the things she needed to do what she's wanted to do. I was deeply blown away. It was actually overwhelming for me (and not in a bad way). I was so honored to be standing with her amidst all the creative ripples. Listening to her heart and viewing her work and getting the chance (that not many people get) to see a former student excel beyond even my own abilities in certain arenas was extremely humbling.  It was (still is) a sacred moment for me. 

Sometimes I feel I didn't really teach her. She taught me. 

I'm very thankful for what I get to do as an artist. I love this crazy messy life and those I get to come alongside and collaborate with  (even if it's only for a moment). It's an honor, a pure joy. And today I'm humbled and wrecked within (in a good way) to know that as there have been people in my life who have believed in me and encouraged and inspired and influenced and challenged and taught me...I too get to be that for others. Creative ripples. 

The art show was a huge positive moving experience for her that encouraged her and continues to launch her forward. I'm so excited for her! Well done Sara! Keep creating and having fun! You are an amazing artist! 

New Paintings-Prints For Sale

I have some new paintings (and prints) that are available for sale. If you are interested in purchasing an original or ordering a print, contact me via email: revelatorart@yahoo.com

If you're interested in purchasing, but these aren't quite what you're looking for, please check out the "MyArt & Prices" tab at the top to see more paintings that are available and prices. And I also do commission work.  if you are interested in having me create something very specific to what you are wanting. Please check out the tab "Commissioned Work" to learn more about that process. 

Thank you very much! 

Letting Go

c. 2016 Lisa Marten

22x28 mixed media on canvas

Original Not For Sale. 

Prints Available. 

To see print sizes & prices, go to Tab at Top: My Art & Prices 

When You Walk Into The Room

c. 2016 Lisa Marten

24x30 mixed media on canvas

Original: $636

Prints Available.

To see print sizes & prices, go to Tab at Top: My Art & Prices 

The Air In Our Lungs

c. 2016 Lisa Marten

24x30 mixed media on canvas

Original: $636

Prints Available.

To see print sizes & prices, go to Tab at Top: My Art & Prices 

And there are a few more paintings I've recently completed that I will post once I have them professionally digitally shot by the printer I use, so they can also be available for purchase as prints. So stay tuned for additional posts about those new paintings. 

The 2016 Creative Church Conference in Boise

So our planning team for The 2016 Creative Church Conference in Boise has been having fun together...you guessed it....planning creatively! We can't wait to hang out with all you creatives who join us for a fun filled extended weekend: July 28-31 in Boise at Vineyard Boise Church. 

Click here to read about the speaker/artist line up: 

https://creativechurchconference.wordpress.com/boise-registration/boise-speakers/

Click here to read about cost and schedule and how to register:  

https://creativechurchconference.wordpress.com/boise-registration/

Click here to read about food, lodging, transportation: 

https://creativechurchconference.wordpress.com/boise-registration/boise-lodging-and-transportation/

Creative Collaboration Illustrating the Parables

I love painting live. For me it's more than just me getting to create a painting in front of people. In fact that's only a surface way of looking at it. I like to look at it from a much deeper view. For me it's really about a creative collaboration between me and the others involved (if at a church: it's with the worship team, the pastor or speakers, the congregation, and other artists; if during a concert or other public event: its with the band, the audience, speakers, and other artists), and for me it's also a creative collaboration with the Spirit of God...no matter where I am or who else I'm collaborating with. We learn from and teach each other throughout the process. It's all about listening and seeing. And together we make something beautiful. 

Today I had the wonderful opportunity to paint live during both Sunday morning services at Vineyard Boise church. I painted side by side with fellow artist, live painter, and art minister, Jessie Nilo....accompanying Pastor Trevor Estes during his sermons introducing a new 22 week series about the parables that Jesus chose to use for teachable moments. It was such a fun experience getting to collaborate together...all of us (me, Jessie, Trevor, the worship team, the congregation...and the Holy Spirit). And it was a beautiful experience. 

So how does this work? Well...every time I collaborate to paint live the process is just as unique as the amount of unique collaborations I'm involved in. If I'm the only one painting there's a whole process I go through to prepare. And if I'm painting with others there's a whole other process that takes place. 

I have a very specific style to my paintings (very emotive, expressive, mixed media, with lots of layers)...but when painting together with other artists I've learned to allow for an intertwining of styles (mine and the other' artists). This can be challenging but it can also be inspiring. I've also learned that sometimes adopting a different style to fit a specific moment can be refreshing as well as necessary.

For this particular moment...

The plan for the series has been in preparation for awhile and Jessie was approached about having artists paint live for each of the 22 weeks to help illustrate the parables. Jessie brought me into the plan a couple of weeks ago to join her in designing/planning and facilitating/implementing the live painting throughout the series (including overseeing other artists who will join us). But it was only a week ago that we talked through the overall design plan for all of the paintings that would take place throughout the series (landing on a very graphic design style that would be simple for other artists to do and for people to connect with). And it was just a few days ago that we were able to sit down and actually plan/prep for what we would be doing for this first launch Sunday. It was in that moment (after reading the passage that would be featured) the simple graphic design of the images for this Sunday popped in my head. I believe this was guidance from God (because truly I'm not a graphic designer-Jessie is, and the moment I sketched out a little graphic design style thumbnail of what I saw in my head Jessie was in total agreement that it was what we were to use...we didn't change it at all). And just as quickly, the color pallete came to us also. It was really exciting to be on the same page in the process as we were working together to do these paintings. 

But that was just the beginning of this collaboration...

The passage for today...Matthew 7: 24-27

The Parable of Building Your House

Pastor Trevor speaking about how to read and receive the Parables of Jesus. 

It was a great experience to get to illustrate what he was speaking about. It was like getting to bring his words to life. Though Jessie has painted a few times during sermons Trevor has spoken, this was my first opportunity to paint while he spoke and I really had fun. 

Jessie and I getting ready to paint.

We've been friends for 13 years and though we have painted side by side before, this was only the 2nd time she and I have gotten the opportunity to paint together on the same canvas! It was pure joy to work with her in this way. 

Painted during the first service.

The house built on a rock. 

When the storms come the house stands firm.

4ftx4ft latex paint on masonite.

Jessie Nilo and Lisa Marten.

Painted during the second service.

The house built on sand.

When the storms come the house falls.

4ftx4ft latex paint on masonite.

Jessie Nilo and Lisa Marten.

After both services Jessie and I were approached by many people who gave us feedback about what they experienced while we painted as Trevor spoke. It's always a meaningful thing for me to interact with those who are viewing the live painting, to gain their insight and feedback about their experience and what their "take away" is. This is the additional collaboration piece...the viewers. I believe all live art needs viewer participation. 

And this is where I really get to see the behind the scenes work that the Spirit of God does...as I learn about how the simple act of painting live can add meaning to an experience for someone (whether it's in a church or a concert or a public or private event). This is where I learn that it's not just about me painting in front of people...there's so much more going on at a deeper level...in collaboration. 

Marten Evergreen performs "amour échange"

We hit a milestone! Marten Evergreen has entered our 6th year together and we performed our 15th avant garde performance art piece titled "Amour Echange" live at a private wedding in Boise. 

MARTEN EVERGREEN
presents

“amour èchange”

performed live at
The Rose Room. Boise, Idaho
Friday March 18, 2016
for The BertMore Wedding

Artist Statement:
Movements inspired by monuments of love. This piece was specifically created to
celebrate relationship.

First Movement: Prayer
music-“Jagadeesha” by Trevor Hall
A dancer interprets a prayer of thanksgiving, peace, and grace extending beyond boundaries of time.

Second Movement: Celebrating Story
music-“The Spark” by Afrojack/Spree Wilson
Dancers interpret an inspired story through dance and expressive collaboration of paint and drip theory.The dance and painting between both that ensues will tell

the story of courtship and relationship.

Color symbolism:
clothing:
white-vulnerability/new beginning
silver-future dreams
gold-commitment for life

MARTEN EVERGREEN is 

Lisa Marten and Lukas Evergreen

Here are some photos from the performance:

 our performance space: "the bubble" 

 first movement: dancing the prayer

 second movement: dancer one

 dancer one is joined by dancer two

 dancer two

 dancer two is joined by dancer one (now in silver)

 dancers in sync

 dancer one

 dancer one is joined by dancer two (now in gold)

 dancers in sync 

 dancers ready for anything

the finished 2D painting created while dancing

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