During my 1 year journey through a mastery art program that takes it's participants through many disciplines in creating art, (drawing, accuracy, oils, acrylics, mixed media, marketing, and more) there were many valuable nuggets that were gleaned. One of the most impactful was a section in the program that was very personal and helped me clarify and pinpoint my voice and focus. It was always there to a degree, but the awakening to it has been way more than what I anticipated it to be.
On one particular lecture, the instructor shared about her testimony and she said the words "Paint the opposite of your pain"
Part of the exercise and lesson was to write down your deepest wounds, hurts, pain....it didn't matter. Write it all down, read it, say it. I did. I did again....I cried, asked for forgiveness and went to a place even harder and that was to forgive.
What does this have to do with creating authentic, impactful, and purposeful art?
to me?, everything!
"Royal Intent" (in process) by Tina Lawver
I spent many years creating pretty things and that's ok. I still occasionally will create decorative art, paint a piece of furniture, and make a vignette or flower arrangement....that's art too! But, I must say, that the most eternal thing I can do with my artwork is authentically show up to the easel and paint in opposition to the pain that this world can inflict on us.
I battle in protest to the lie that we are not worthy, that we aren't created in the image of a loving God Who has intentionally purposed us.
I paint in opposition to victimhood, so you will see themes of overcoming in my work.
Peace in the midst of chaos, Light in the Darkness, Dominion...not Defeat, Wonder and Freedom...not Fear and Failure. Relationship, not Religion.
More and more, as I continue to create, I see these themes to be free flowing as it is impossible to act in an opposite way of how I think and it is also difficult to not impart what is being revealed in my Spirit onto the canvas. I could be painting a floral and the way the colors blend, the tilt of the flower toward the light, and how it reacts to what else is in the composition will all work together to speak life and hope and that there is more.
I pray that I'm always able to battle authentically, with purpose, and paint in opposition to that which comes against us.