All Stories are Divine Stories.

35 years ago, I was a young Momma, madly in love with those babies and their Father, on the surface, doing ok. What most everyone in my life didn't know is that I was horribly broken.

My heart, body, + mind....broken and my spirit, listening to voices that meant me harm.

Sadness would overtake me. Tangible feelings of unworthyness would lead me and place me on, seemingly, safe paths. No risk, just managing what I had for fear of losing it all.

Doing everything I could to hold life together without the skills, guidance, and faith to do it. I did my best as I was and made all the mistakes. Mistakes in Love, but mistakes just the same with consequences that we don't get rescued from having to deal with.

If I could speak to young Tina now, I would tell her to find community. I would say to find women of faith + ask them to mentor, teach, + guide her. I would say release pride and be humble....you don't have to pretend you're ok.

Find a wise mentor to teach this young novice how to be a Wife, a Mom, a Friend, a woman of Valor and Courage. Tell her why she's worthy, Tell her how important these years are as a Mom and how very quickly they slip away, never to be lived again.

I would ask God to Give her ears to listen and a heart to receive. For her to be so teachable. I would ask for Truth and Transformation and a Renewing of her mind.

I would share with her how precious she is to God and that He has a beautiful plan for her life.

I would tell her that her story matters and that her story is valuable and that failure is not defining, but a teachable moment and that her overcoming is a part of that beautiful story.

Occasionally, I grieve her as she was so lost so early and I look back and see how these beautiful young children were used to save her. I also celebrate her for she's grown + is still growing in all those areas.

She was me. She IS me. A part of me that informs a story of overcoming that I seem to only be able to express through art.

"Worthy" , by Artist, Tina Lawver

I've come to value stories.

From the beginnings, the messy middles, and the victorious conclusions. I've come to realize that LOVE is a connector, that GOD created us for MORE + that our stories, no matter how the telling goes, are abosulutely DIVINE.

I've also realized I've been visually communicating stories and mapping journeys since the first time I put brush to canvas so now I'm leaning in to this more in 2024.

("Worthy" currently on display at New Towne Gallery)

Artist, Tina Lawver, Teaches art workshops

There is more here...

YOUR story matters. YOUR overcoming is inspiring.

Our stories are worth telling.

Thank you for allowing me to share my heart and for those who've chosen to make my art a part of their story over the years, I am humbled and grateful.

I'll be accepting commissions January - March in 2024

Please feel free to contact me

Artist, Tina Lawver, visually communicates divine stories

For...

*creating a prophetic piece

*a piece of art about your story

*in memory of a loved one

*a vision you have for your home or business

I'm honored to create for you and continue this story with you.

"Visually Communicating Divine Stories"

Artfully Yours,

Bright, Shiny Objects

The "Bright, Shiny Objects" Series by Artist, Tina Lawver

Recently, I completed a series that I entitled "Bright, Shiny Objects" and, as with every piece....there is a story there.

Allow me to share...

Several years ago, I began to notice these creatures, crows/ravens, they fascinate. As with most fascinations, I began to draw and paint them.

We even got to travel to Arizona on vacation and realized that we were a short drive to the South rim of the Grand Canyon, truly, the most intimidating place I've ever stood. That is a story for another time. While we were there, this raven was following people around, most likely waiting for someone to drop a random french fry. I found him so entertaining and saw a personality in him. Inspiration for another painting.

As I was putting out these little paintings and pieces with ravens, people...several, not just a few!...several people would tell me stories about how intelligent these birds are, which made me notice and dig a bit more.

Original Art by Artist, Tina Lawver

It was true and something I got a bit nerdy about. One of the facts that was interesting to me was that they are attracted to shiny things.

I witnessed a crow playing with a foil gum wrapper. That image stuck with me and, as the brain often does, it created a story and these birds, who often get a bit of a bad wrap, became little characters...the kind you'd like to get to know.

So why the pairing of the ravens and bottles?

While we were visiting out Son, who lives in beautiful Washington State, we all decided to browse some local antique stores.

I do love old bottles and colored glass. I found myself placing them up on tables and in window sills in the light and got some magical photographs. By the time I got back to the studio, I had an entire Pinterest page with so many photos of these little bottles. And the story was further developed.

Why are these birds, full of personality, drawn to the glistening objects?

AND

What if they were so enchanted by something they could not grasp, spread their wings, and take away with them.???? Would they give up the freedom of flight to stay there?

hmmmm, pondering.

These "What if" moments and thoughts have resulted in many meaningful pieces of art and I'm quite sure that will continue.

Artfully Yours,

T

"Where Nature + Human Nature are divinely intertwined"

See Selected Works Here

Artagain Alley

Artagain Alley New Philadelphia, Ohio

This past Wednesday, June 28th, a reception was held at AlleyCats Marketplace for the most recent cycle of the Art and Artists chosen to be exhibited in Artagain Alley in downtown New Philadelphia, OH.

I'm so excited to say one of my pieces, "Emulate" was chosen along with some beautiful local artist's work! What an honor to be chosen locally.

"Emulate" painting by Artist, Tina Lawver hanging in Artagain Alley New Philadelphia, OH

When this piece was being created, I was nearing the end of a humbling as well as an empowering experience where I had signed up for a year long art mastery program.

At one point, during a challenging period, I was in a bit of self doubt. We all have defining moments like this. When I look at this piece, it reminds me of that moment.

Others have been where we want to go. Others have been pioneers, trail blazers, and adventurers and have moved away obstacles. They've learned how to do the things that will allow this artist to get the vision that is inspired onto a canvas. The journey from the creative head to the creation is like a dance, a back and forth tension that , once resolved, becomes a piece of art.

"Emulate" a print hanging in Artagain Alley by Artist Tina Lawver New Philadelphia, OH

"Emulate" shows a bird demonstrating something so easy for a bird to do...."spread your wings and fly" the bird says. "Do it like this"

She believes she can fly in her own way because she sees the evidence of it actually being done. She has a desire to soar and submits herself to the instruction and demonstration of the successful.

She's encouraged as she sees the possibility, raises her arms and soars in her own way using her own creative voice.

This was, in that moment, what I was experiencing and desiring to communicate as an artist submitting herself to a process that others created as a path to seeing my vision come to life in a painting.

I've learned so much through the respect of what others have done and accomplished having been blessed by those who've so willingly shared their skill, knowledge, and experience.

These pioneers have gone before and made it easier for us to trailblaze our own path in our own voice which will make it more accessible to another who has a desire to have their voice heard in new territory.

It's so important to keep trying, to keep learning, and to thrive, not just for ourselves, but for the one who may see what is created and see that they can thrive as well.

Artist Tina Lawver pictured with her print of her original painting "Emulate" in Artagain Alley

I am grateful to be an artist and I'm blessed to be able to share with you.

Thank you to the jury who included "Emulate" in this year's Artagain Alley Exhibition.

Thank You for making my art a part of your story.

Yours, Tina

"Emulate"

The Original Painting is Available here

Quality Prints Available upon Request

Contact with inquiries

Tuscarawas Arts Partnership

New Philadelphia, OH

"Emulate" an original painting by Artist, Tina Lawver