6 Words that changed my Art forever

("Empathy" the above painting is now owned by a treasured Collector)

Yes, it was 6 words said at the perfect time in the life of this artist that changed trajectory and set my feet on a path that changed my art process and purpose from that day forward.

I don't believe there is any single person who hasn't been touched by deep pain. I tend to call this a "this side of Heaven" issue.

Let's face it, we were created for a perfect garden, this world can be very painful.

Pain is inevitable. There is an ever growing list. Variations of pain inducing events and acts seem to be invented daily. Sadly, this is a human thing that we share. Whether we are experiencing it ourselves or hearing that someone is experiencing, it's a commonality that we cannot deny. How depressing a statement, but wait...

Let me go back to June of 2020.

After painting for over 30 years, I wanted to go deeper. Even though, I'd had a bit of success, had sold many paintings, received honors, and had been blessed to have been instructing and leading others in their creative pursuits, I felt like what was in my vision and my spirit, I was not at all equipped to bring forth.

I signed up for a year long art mastery program that took me back to the basics of drawing, oil painting, mixed media, acrylic painting and finding my voice. Parts of this program were actually painful for me and brought me to tears. It required a humbling and an acknowledgement that my past pain was actually getting in the way. It wasn't past, it was in my present and affecting my future as an artist who deeply desired to make an impact with my art.

That pain had me stuck, stopping me from taking risks and moving forward. I had allowed it to define me more than I was aware of. It was literally the unspoken part of my artist statement and I hated it and, to be honest, I hated parts of myself.

I came very close to quitting and resigned to myself that I was just meant to make pretty things, but that left my heart feeling unfulfilled and, truly, I knew better. I knew there was more. So I pressed on as they say.

One day, during a session on finding your voice ( a powerful lecture in the program), the instructor (Artist Elli Milan), said these powerful words...

"PAINT THE OPPOSITE OF YOUR PAIN"

These 6 powerful words changed everything!

I always felt that I needed my version of full healing and health in order to create works that were worthy and met the high calling I've felt on my life. It was a lie that kept me stranded in limiting thoughts and a defining attitude.

The sharpness of pain that results from abuse, neglect, betrayal, unwise decisions, and just life on this side of Heaven can subside but, in my experience doesn't really go away. It rears it's ugly head in the most inconvenient moments and now, I have a battle plan.....I can use it and flip the script.

When the pain comes, the memories flood in, and it threatens to stop what I've been called to do; When it attempts to remind me of a version of myself that isn't worthy to create works that can encourage and lift up others, I take those thoughts captive and submit it to the truth.

The enemy of our souls is a liar and will use everything to halt us in our tracks. Here's the good news...He is defeated!

Pain is what it is. It's a realistic, inevitable part of life, but what we put out there as creatives has the power to show up in opposition and bring a new perspective that allows a vision of hope, healing, and health to a world who is in desperate need.

Whatever you do on the daily, this applies. Live and Speak in opposition to the Pain.

Fear? paint Freedom....Ugliness?, Paint Beauty....Loneliness?, Paint belonging....

Victim?...Paint Victory!

Paint it, Speak it......This is life giving, not just to us, but to others.

So now, approach with boldness and know that creating works that speak life over others is a worthy pursuit. From vision, the first mark on the canvas, through the process, to completion, oppose the lie which is the residue left by pain.

Part 2 will go a bit deeper. There is so much more to be said.

Blessings,

Tina

Cues from a Sunrise (a painting in process)

Most mornings, I watch the sunrise from the kitchen table in our little cottage near the lake.

I get to be witness as the light changes and in turn changes everything it touches. I observe how the colors are made more magnificent with each passing second for that is how very quickly the change happens. There's magic in it, beauty in it....I believe it's a daily gift from a loving Father in heaven. Nature cries out that there is a God.

Today, like most days, is a studio day. Ted and I prayed before he left for work this morning that even the daily things we do, make a difference remembering that God is in the details and He has already been where we are going today and His plan is perfection. That we can rest in the Bringer of the day.

On the easel and in process, is a painting focused on a moment, a magical, never happen again moment, that encourages and allows for a change of the heart, a perspective shift...

A blue song bird is sent to minister to her and she is being infused with encouragement which will lead to a next step in her life of purpose.

Color cues from a sunrise, vintage music pages, the contrast of dark to light, a look, a glance, intentional marks and flow of the paint all working together to create a visual reminder that, when we lose our way or forget our purpose, there is an eternal plan and it's so important that gentle loving reminders come in tender forms to bring us back to it.

Blessings,

Tina

See available paintings by Tina

Artfully Purposed

When I get into the process of creating a painting, in my heart, I have a knowing that the process and the journey is for me...but the finished piece is for someone else.

Someone out there is longing for this image.

Within each mark, in the laying down of paint is a message someone wants to make a part of their life, their story.

Some may look at this statement and think, Wow...Arrogance?

or is it confidence in purpose?

The Artist surrendered to this, knowing that the time they spend in the studio is intentional, purposeful, and has the potential to encourage, lift up, and be a part of someone's story in a meaningful way, changes the whole creative process. It changes from making pretty things to creating lasting, even eternal images, that evoke emotion, affirm, and breathe life into someone.

Yes, that's what I believe art can do. I've been on both sides of this experience.

Why would an artist spend 40 hours a week, pouring their heart out in color, form, line, shape, space, texture, and value....

with the intention of working all of it together to create...

balance, rhythm, pattern, emphasis, contrast, unity and movement??

the goal is that all of these elements of art would flow harmoniously in the direction of loving on someone that we may have not even met yet.

How divine.

A few weeks ago, a lovely woman walked into my booth at a fine art show. She connected immediately with a piece and then we began a conversation that very quickly broke the surface and got deep.

She asked me questions about a few pieces, but not the typical questions. Questions like "What were you thinking about when you painted this?" and she pointed, not to just the painting as a whole, but to a stroke that was in the painting. I was wow'd by that and grateful to have the opportunity to share. Looking at that particular brushstroke brought back the moment it was executed. That one stroke meant something to me and it was part of what meant something to her.

Love these moments. At this particular show, this happened several times and I felt at home.

It's amazing when someone views your work and tells you a story about something you, the artist, created. For me, it's a sense of completion. That's when I know that I've met the person who, in the process, I knew for whom this particular piece was created.

It's such a connection and so moving and an experience that breathes life back into me.

I received a beautiful note yesterday from her. She chose a collection of pieces that day that had a deep meaning to her. She sent me a photo of how she displayed them.

(with her consent, I share)

(left to right..."Affirmation", "Empathy", "Warrior")

...as well as her personal thoughts on them as a collection. (beautifully written MRJ)

With a grateful heart,