"Art is a vehicle for the voice...

... that results from interactions and experiences that occur in a passing moment and becomes it's own, unique interaction and experience for someone else."

"Harmonious" Painting by Artist, Tina Lawver

It's so true! I've been blessed to be witness to it and participate in the telling.

What an honor to be an artist in this world today. To be called to place loaded brush to clean canvas and allow the story to unfold. It doesn't begin there though.

I was deceived believing it was all about me, my skill, my ability and not considering that I was simply a participant in the bigger thing. Though it's important to have those tools to communicate, it's not the vital thing.

We think we are doing something....teaching a class, making art, writing a story....whatever it is,

BUT we are actually doing a deep dive into something so much more.

Oh yes, I began thinking I was painting a sweet moment between nature and human nature.

"Worthy" Original Painting by Artist, Tina Lawver

In "Worthy", the narrative is so much deeper and speaks to the deep longing to know that we are worthy of moments like this and how important it is to be present and acknowledge this special, once in a lifetime space that may never happen again.

Moments like...raising children. They will never be 3 years, 27 days, 4 hours, and 21 minutes old again. Be present. soak it in. You're worthy to be present and give significance and value to this moment. It'll never be "this moment" again. It's so very precious and so are you.

"Likeness" Painting by Artist, Tina Lawver

As I consider this piece "Likeness", the memory of walking through a cemetery in Georgia. One of those places that the statues on the graves look as though they could come alive at any moment. Not in a creepy way, but in a way that I had the realization that each one was chosen for the relationship of the loved one they were chosen to represent, to be the first impression of the one who would experience it decades and a century after that person had passed on. Leaving a life story and footprint not to be forgotten, a mark was left for us and every time another person (me, that day) walks by and gazes up, a new chapter is written. Shadows of a life lived and a narrative that had impact and mattered. My experience with her resulted in this piece of art.

Art is a vehicle for the voice that results from interactions and experiences that occur in a passing moment and becomes it's own, unique interaction and experience for someone else.

How incredibly special is that?! How this perspective has changed how I view not only the significance of the experiences (even common everyday ones), but the potential of what can come from them.

Artfully Yours,

"Likeness" painting by Tina Lawver

Both paintings "Likeness" (left) and "Worthy" can be experienced at New Towne Gallery located in Millersburg, OH and are available to be purchased.

*Visit New Towne Gallery

*Collect a Print

*See Available Works

*Consider a Commission

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