Grit + Grace

(Studio Notes)

She has a balance of softness and strength and strikes a strong boundary.

She lives in wonder and discovery, but knows her worth.

She's been called formidable and intense by those who are outside of her calling.

They are quietly envious of her passion and focus, she has grace for them.

She doesn't know all of the answers, but knows the One who does.

She has grace for herself.

When fear comes, she pushes through...She has Grit.

"Grit+Grace"

...is in process (aren't we all)

She is available right now

Grit + Grace

12"x20" Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Mixed Media Oil

acrylic, ink, gold foil, oil

Wired for hanging/No Framing Needed

This piece, as is with all my pieces,

is an original and is created with archival materials.

Blessings to you and Thank You for making my art a part of your story.

Tina

Collect This Original Piece

An Unexpected Collaboration

The Collector's Perspective.

So, I know you've all seen this piece I created for this Winter Season, Called "Olde Winter"

I had posted a process video in a reel on Instagram @tinalawverfineart about the creation of this magical piece.

and then, I received a text from a sweet Friend who has several of my pieces.

Heidi has such vision and exquisite taste so I know to listen when she comments about one of my pieces.

She had watched the reel and asked if I had the "in process" piece ....She was struck with the undone (in my mind), in process, yet to be completed painting and told me that it reminded her of someone very special in her life.

I was not surprised that Heidi wanted what Heidi wanted so I set on a journey in my files to find the photo of the in process piece that, in her heart, was "finished". I wasn't hopeful for a good result because I had never done this for a collector before and had to resolve in my mind that her vision was sufficient for the connection she felt for the image.

Never, Ever, in my Artful Life, would I ever think of offering ...

This.......................over..............

This ??????

But, here is the humbling thing...

Heidi shared with me that, unknowingly, I had painted that someone special to her and she caught a glimpse of him in

this snippet of the, in process, piece.

She saw something that gripped her heart that I may have never been able to

intentionally create. A moment, a glint of the eye, a magic that was for her.

Convinced of her vision, I set out to edit the photo for printing and, on faith, sent it to the printer

7 days later, I received the print and, after a bit of hand embellishment, it was ready to deliver to Heidi.

Nervous, I met her and her Husband at the framers and we collaborated on the finished piece.

She had a clear vision about what it should look like, framed, and how it should be finished.

Of course, Heidi was right. In this case, the client, the collector was right.

Because of my relationship with her, we have developed a mutual trust.

Would I have done this for someone else? I'm not sure I would have handed this image to her in the state of process like this if it were not for the relationship.

Heidi blessed me with photos of the framed print in place and I was moved.

Collaboration with the Collector is a joy to me as an Artist.

Those who choose to make my art of part of their story become friends

and artful family members.

When inspiration, vision, and the meaning of a painting all work together to create moments like this, it's priceless to me and means so much to the one who

will live with the image.

A precious story is created and shared. Something about unusual moments like this has an eternal sense to it.

Artfully Yours,

Tina

"Olde Winter" Archival Matte Print

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"Olde Winter" Original Painting

Buy Now

Lean in Dear Artist, Friend, What you create is important.

Oh, You think...that you are "just" an artist, what can you do that matters, that makes a difference or a lasting mark in the world? How does 30--40 hours of studio time per week, prayer, and refining your craft contribute to anything worthwhile or long lasting? It's not like we are physicians or researchers committed to curing the illnesses that destroy or those on the front lines fighting for innocent lives to be spared....Right?

I've had these battles. These inner fights with that critic that lives in my head.

I've downplayed my role and minimized the value of what it is I've chosen as my vocation.

I've been my own worst enemy and fought against spending precious time in the studio believing there must be a more "worthy" pursuit.

Yes, I've been there...The ugly truth is that I'll probably be there again next week

BUT

I won't stay there.

I won't stay there because I've witnessed the manifestation of hope that comes from someone meeting up with the image they needed to behold that gave them that reminder that there is hope, that confirmation that they are understood and that they are seen. A divine connection.

Not many question a beautiful piece of music that moves them, the written word that speaks life, or a stunning sculpture that stands the test of time chiseled from marble so long ago.

and

I'll never stop fighting those voices that speak the opposite of the calling on my life and I pray you won't either.

If you've received healing, gained knowledge, fought battles (lost or won) If you are a human being on this side of Heaven and know that there is more....You carry something precious

What you have inside of you is worthy to create and put out into the world. It is powerful and can and will be used to speak life and truth and bring forth beauty. To shed the light of love and hope and drown out darkness is a more worthy calling than we can even perceive.

Whatever you create, be in the act of creating.

I was at an art show in November. A young man came into my booth space. He was quiet, head down, and quite taken with a small piece on the display table. It was a print of an original painting. He kept looking up at the original and then down again at the print. I felt the Holy Spirit prompt me to leave him alone for a moment. When I felt it was time, I thanked him for coming in and looking and asked if I could help him. He said "I want to buy this print" I said "I'm honored and blessed that you want it" He said, "My friend's husband was just diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer and he won't make it to Christmas. This is a gift for her. I want her to look at it and know that she was loved by so many through this time."

I was so moved. I noticed he was also looking at the ornaments on a tree I had in my booth and I chose the one he was considering and gave it to him and, with a hug, we completed the transaction.

This is not just a moment, this is not an insignificant thing that happens and passes and has nothing important attached to it.......................this is eternal.

When I created said piece, I knew it was for someone. I've learned to believe that the process is for me and my interaction with my God, but the finished piece created from that time is for someone else and for a deeper purpose than what the limits of my faith and imagination can conceive.

Lean in dear Artist friend. Lean in to the passion to create. Don't fear that there won't be provision. I've had testimony of that as well. Know that what you do is a ministry of presence and your art is a delivery system for peace and hope to the soul.

We are messengers, light bearers, and hope bringers. In relationship with our Creator, we find purpose.

Artfully Yours, Tina

P.S. I know that many who read this will be moved and some will be offended by the heart of my calling as an artist. The truth is good and gospel is disruptive. Being moved is to be fully alive and to be disrupted in an opportunity for a pivot shift of great significance.

This piece is in process and it's about what grows out of that quiet conversation in studio time. The inspired moments.

I'm excited to see where it goes.