So, Why do you do this?

You're an artist right? Yes! So, What's the deal with this jewelry? (actual question to me)

I paint collectable paintings that are meant to lift up and inspire. I ,now and then, enjoy painting works for home decor , for residential, and commercial use.

I paint constantly...Art is a big part of my life and how I communicate.

Every once in a while, my work will turn back to me and show another use in the process.

Sometimes, a joyful and surprising thing happens and following the flow of inspiration no longer becomes a choice but like an adventurous path of discovery that I know will lead to a fun and joyous end.

Yes, these little earrings are a part of that.

This is the 4th collection of these Art Canvas Earrings that I've had the joy to create.

With names like "Spring", "Raindrops", "Blooms", and "Roots", we journeyed together and had the best time.

As an artist, I learn a bit more with each collection and creating them gets me into the detail of a painting. The imagery of a small section of a painting where the color converges and the marks make a statement is so engaging.

I have no desire to make jewelry, but wearing and offering these small masterpieces is an art form in itself.

They fulfill my calling with themes of encouragement, of lifting up, and expressing hope.

I can see that they will, now and then, be a path I'll want to follow.

When the mood strikes, when I see a moment in a piece, I can see they may become the next piece I'll want to wear instead of hang on the wall.

To see all of the available Art Canvas Earrings, click here...>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Wearable Art

"A New Wave"

I did a study recently where the subject of art being subjective came up. You know...you like what you like and it's ok that you like it and it doesn't matter if someone else doesn't.

It's the look and feel that you want to add to your home in that special spot. It reminds you that there is more and life has beauty. The colors make you feel calm and it emotes peace as you experience the blending of color and texture.

As an Artist, creating visuals with the goal being that they bring hope and life into a space, I imagine that these pieces become the backdrop to someone's life. It's hanging on the wall in the kitchen behind the table where many meals are shared and people blow out their birthday candles and share special moments that may never happen again.

As I began in this paragraph....As an Artist, there is the art I love to create and there is the art I love to live with.

Over my career and practice, I've created many pieces that I loved the process of. I have loved every brushstroke, mark, and color choice...but when I said "done", I was truly done with it. In the process, it was complete in me and ready to pass on and to be made available as an offering to the one who will make it the backdrop to their memories. I have no attachment....usually.

In this one instance, I've managed to actually create a piece that I would love to live with and it could grace any wall here at the Lakehouse.

There is something very peaceful and moving to me about how the texture interacts with the color. There isn't one shade of blue, but many subtle shades that bring me in as it ministers to my soul.

The marks and lines tell a story of the process of it's coming to completion that makes me smile.

I could live here for a while.

"A New Wave" makes me feel as though there is new hope, fresh energy, and a wash of goodness in what can seem like a very dark world.

Painting in Opposition

During my 1 year journey through a mastery art program that takes it's participants through many disciplines in creating art, (drawing, accuracy, oils, acrylics, mixed media, marketing, and more) there were many valuable nuggets that were gleaned. One of the most impactful was a section in the program that was very personal and helped me clarify and pinpoint my voice and focus. It was always there to a degree, but the awakening to it has been way more than what I anticipated it to be.

On one particular lecture, the instructor shared about her testimony and she said the words "Paint the opposite of your pain"

Part of the exercise and lesson was to write down your deepest wounds, hurts, pain....it didn't matter. Write it all down, read it, say it. I did. I did again....I cried, asked for forgiveness and went to a place even harder and that was to forgive.

What does this have to do with creating authentic, impactful, and purposeful art?

to me?, everything!

"Royal Intent" (in process) by Tina Lawver

I spent many years creating pretty things and that's ok. I still occasionally will create decorative art, paint a piece of furniture, and make a vignette or flower arrangement....that's art too! But, I must say, that the most eternal thing I can do with my artwork is authentically show up to the easel and paint in opposition to the pain that this world can inflict on us.

I battle in protest to the lie that we are not worthy, that we aren't created in the image of a loving God Who has intentionally purposed us.

I paint in opposition to victimhood, so you will see themes of overcoming in my work.

Peace in the midst of chaos, Light in the Darkness, Dominion...not Defeat, Wonder and Freedom...not Fear and Failure. Relationship, not Religion.

More and more, as I continue to create, I see these themes to be free flowing as it is impossible to act in an opposite way of how I think and it is also difficult to not impart what is being revealed in my Spirit onto the canvas. I could be painting a floral and the way the colors blend, the tilt of the flower toward the light, and how it reacts to what else is in the composition will all work together to speak life and hope and that there is more.

I pray that I'm always able to battle authentically, with purpose, and paint in opposition to that which comes against us.

blessings, Tina