top of page
nest header.png

Art Journal

"In each brushstroke, a story unfolds"

I, like many of you, journal.


We work out our issues, process through problems, write down dreams, ideas, and prayers.


It's a wonderful tool and I really drilled into journaling when I was going through some intensive therapy many years ago that was such a deep, necessary, growth-filled, and truly a defining time in my life.


I wrote down EVERYTHING! I held nothing back....I fully trusted the process. This resulted in a huge stack of books filled with the good, the bad, and the ugly of the journey of that Tina, in those moments.


I packed them into boxes and moved them many times from house to house, from storage unit to cabinet in each home or apartment we lived in over many years.


A few times I had opened one or two and reread passages of that time. My reactions to a woman I remembered but didn't recognize weren't positive....it was an icky feeling that this was once me. She was foggy, damaged, sad, hurting.


There was a poem she wrote called "Baby shoes of bronze", a pouring out of pain...in reading it again, I thought of how weary, how exhausted, how truly OVER I was that I had carried these writings in a box that was becoming heavier every time I moved them. What did I do in that moment? I put them back and kept them still.


I had been healed, I had let go of the past, but ...for some crazy reason I couldn't let go off the physical record of that time.


I had asked myself why I was stewarding the past in this way, but had no answers until one beautiful Fall Sunday, my husband and I got our coffee and sat down to watch an online church message. The pastor mentioned this story about where the phrase, "Burn the Ships" comes from.

In 1519, during a Spanish expedition in Mexico led by Hernán Cortés, the concept of “burning your ships” originated. Cortés, aware that his crew was fatigued from the lengthy sea voyage, decided to scuttle the ships they arrived in to compel them to succeed in the unfamiliar territory.


I was led to grab the stack of journals (at my husband's astonished look) that were stacked in a cedar chest, go out to the fire pit, and let them go.


I had the sudden realization that these did not fit in the definition of who I am.


I'm not a victim, I'm an overcomer.

Those writings were part of the story, part of the process and the rigorous journey that brought me to the shores of becoming a new creation in Christ.


In that simple, quiet act of obedience and defiance is a benchmark in my life that allowed me to step ahead and to fully forgive.


Not only did I not need the encyclopedia of the old Tina anymore, it was an obedient and beautiful act of unloading of a heavy, necessity for healing, burden.


How is it now and since that day? I still journal, but the focus is different and focused on heavenly hope.


My art has become the journal and it's for others, but mostly to Glorify God, the great Creator.


I get to express divine stories in layers of color and brushstrokes and put them out into the world.


I am not a perfect person, I'm a forgiven person.


The old is gone and the new has come and I pray that this truth is evidenced in my life and walk on this side of heaven.


Have you reached a new territory, but are mooring the ships that brought you there just in case it doesn't work out?

I found that caring for and stewarding those ships kept me on the shore for a time rather than exploring the lushness of the land I'd been brought to....so, I burned the ships.











Tina Lawver is an Ohio based Artist, Designer, and Instructor.


Creating encouraging and narrative works in mixed media for homes and public spaces, Tina enjoys sharing her heart and art at various events and shows.


Visit TinaLawver.com to see available, Original works


Prints of many works are available


Feel free to contact Tina about collaborating with Tina on a personal piece of art. About Commissions


Follow on Social Media FB | Instagram




6 views0 comments
Writer's pictureTina

A chat with the Founder of "Faithful Still" ,

Brittany Berry, about Art and Wellness.



I was so blessed to have Brittany in my home and studio and sit down and have a chat about the role of art and creativity in healing.

Tap the photo to be taken to the podcast link and listen in on the conversation!


Below, meet Brittany and hear a bit of her story and learn about "Faithful Still"


Thank you for being here.

Blessings,



2 views0 comments

"and now, we wait..."

In the process of this recent piece, my thoughts were of waiting.

Waiting for something wonderful and the patience and nurturing it requires.

























The Faithful tending to what we could call the time in between.


I find myself, once again, in between the moment of the conception and the birth.

( Not in the literal sense as I'm a woman in her late 50's) That season has been fulfilled for me.


Whether it's the process of a painting that represents this common human experience or in the midst of the waiting in a circumstance in my own life, I wonder if I do this well and what that means.


Whether this speaks to you about life in between birth and death, a seasonal change, the struggle through an illness, the development of a relationship, or even the beginning of a build or project, we consistently find ourselves waiting.


In the waiting or what I've heard called "the dash", Some observations come to mind...


*To wait well requires faith and trust that the end result will be worth it.


*Waiting is a growing time


*This is a precious time of refinement where, at the end, we won't be the same as when we entered this period


*These seasons are cyclical, they repeat, and with each one, we deal with it a bit better than the previous one.


*Most things are worth the process and the patience that is required of us.


Though, quite often, Trusting the Process and getting excited about what's to come can be the best part. Seasons of being in waiting are necessary and, if we steward them well, finding joy in the midst, it makes the goal even sweeter to experience for the journey to get there wasn't wished away.


There's something to be said for simply being present as we wait.


Whatever you are waiting for in this moment, may you be blessed in the midst of it.


Artfully Yours,







24" x 30"

Mixed Media Oil | Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Original Work by Artist, Tina Lawver

Available Now






Tina Lawver is an professional artist with over 30 years experience in creating original works for homes and public spaces. She works with clients (who become friends) to create archival and worthy pieces through her studio practice as well as commissioned art.


She lives and works in the Atwood Lake region in Ohio in her lake cottage studio along with her husband, Ted.






Follow @tinalawverfineart on Instagram + Tina Lawver - Artist on Facebook for updates on new pieces as well as show and class information.

14 views0 comments
bottom of page