I have been loving this year! It's full of back to back Art Ministry trips. Unlike previous years that have mostly centered around major trips overseas to other countries, this year has been taking me on a tour of the States. In March I was in Texas (to attend the Art Ministers Retreat at Laity Lodge outside of Kerrville), in May I was in Hawaii (to connect with churches on Maui and YWAMers on The Big Island), in June I was in Washington (painting murals at an elementary school in Auburn), in July I was in Idaho (helping to facilitate The Creative Church Conference in Boise), and in August...I'll be in Oregon (connecting with an art ministry in Lincoln City).
I will be taking a road trip from Boise, Idaho to Lincoln City, Oregon. I LOVE ROAD TRIPS!
I'll be connecting with Gaylene & Tom Golden who serve at The Vineyard Church in Lincoln City, Oregon. I've had the wonderful opportunity to get to know Gaylene over the last 4 years. Gaylene started an art ministry called The Coastal Creatives after being inspired by our VineArts ministry at Vineyard Boise Church. She interned under our Arts Director, Jessie Nilo on-line and then spent time in person with us in Boise for a bit to get hands on experience. Gaylene has a real heart for creatives of faith. Also...her family has always lived by the ocean and has a history of surfing. They have some friends who own a surf shop who also serve in a surfing ministry. I'm going to get the opportunity to continue my bucket list challenge to learn to surf. I'm quite excited about this.
This trip will be mostly center around partnering with The Coastal Creatives to participate in sandcastle creating on the beach during the annual sandcastle contest that is held by the Lincoln City community. It's an opportunity to come alongside and support their art ministry group by joining in on something they are already doing within their larger community. I will also get the chance to paint live during worship at the Lincoln City Vineyard Church, and speak to them about dancing and worship.
I'm excited to participate in this very unique artistic adventure.
I cannot forget to mention....
As you know, I usually travel alone on these art ministry trips (unless I'm part of specific VineArts Ministry trips) due to my very personal connections with my hosts at the various destinations & the nature of each trip with what it may entail.
...BUT this will be the first time I will be setting out on one of my solo art ministry trips (fully supported by however God provides) where I will not be traveling alone. Say what? Yes. Per request of my host (due to the very special relationship The Coastal Creatives have with VineArts), I am being joined by 3 of my fellow VineArts ministers on this trip. One will be road tripping with me in my car, and the other 2 will be road tripping with their families on separate travels. We will all converge together in Lincoln City to connect in with The Coastal Creatives for the sandcastle creating.
I'm really looking forward to this kind of "VineArts Ambassador" trip...2 art ministries joining together to cross-pollinate...to go love on people in creative ways. I consider it an honor for us to come alongside them and support what they are doing in their community. And I am really blessed that some of my fellow VineArts ministers (including our Arts Director, Jessie Nilo) will get to experience first hand one of my Traveling Artist missions trips.
So stay tuned for posts and photos and stories and lots and lots of painting on people's lives.
ROAD TRIPPIN TO THE WEST COAST
Sherri and I took our time along the way, having fun being silly, and enjoying the journey.
On Wednesday Sherri and I continued our road trip to the coast. We drove to Lincoln City at spent the day at Taft Bay. It was a soothing time of walking along the beach, breathing in the sea air, watching seals sun themselves, watching people crab fish, and dogs running in the water.
Again, I’m usually on my own during these times…so it was so fun to share the experience with a friend who sees life in similar ways.
We enjoyed eating seafood at Mo’s right there on waterfront.
We shared in a coffee communion at Tiki’s and did some coloring.
Two artists on the loose!
We stopped in at Once in Blue Moon, a shop owned by artist Carla Lovato (www.gallery-bluemoon.com)and bought matching beanies and chatted with her about travel and art. Carla lives above her shop right on the road that heads to the beach at Taft Bay and enjoys the chance to create and connect with people. Her shop features handmade jewelry, clothing, and art, along with artist supplies (in case you forgot to bring your sketchbook and paints).
Late afternoon Sherri and I pulled ourselves away from the beautiful view of the water and drove a little west to the tiny woodsy town of Otis where we will be residing for the week. Gaylene and Tom have welcomed us (along with the other artists in our road trip group) to come alongside them for a bit to connect in with the artists they minister to in the Coastal Creatives group. They’ve set Sherri and I up in their art studio/loft apartment that is part of their barn. It’s an ideal location for artists!
We had a wonderful evening with them sharing stories and talking of plans for the week.
Our dinner consisted of fresh grilled corn on the cob and fresh grilled oysters.
Sherri and I had fun with the oysters. And yes they were yummy!
Today (Thursday) we are spending the day exploring around the property with wooded trails to the river and creative time in the studio. Later this afternoon we’ll be joined by our fellow VineArts art ministers and tonight we’ll all go to Taft Bay for a beach BBQ with the Coastal Creatives artists…so stay tuned :)
INTENTIONAL COMMUNITY
Today I got to go explore the area around the place I'm getting to stay at. Sherri and I took a short hike on a woodsy path that led us down to a river. We climbed over moss covered fallen trees that felt like carpet and hopped on round river rocks like we were playing checkers. It was a fun way to start the day.
And today we met up with the other members of our art family from VineArts who were joining us on this trip to the coast. It was fun to reunite in a new place and to spend some time praying together for each other and for Gaylene and the Coastal Creatives.
I love you Sherri! (Sherri photobombed me in this one)
Welcome Jessie! I love you!
Welcome Gina! I love you!
Together we gathered this evening with Gaylene and Tom and the Coastal Creatives art group for a beach BBQ and campfire chat. It was fun way to get to know each other before we collaborate together on the sandcastle making this Saturday.
After we roasted hotdogs and s'mores we gathered to share about art and ministry and the importance of intentional community, as hard & messy as it can be (especially for creatives). We experienced some great dialogue and cross-pollinating of ideas and thoughts. It was a wonderful picture of one art family connecting with another art family and sharing in "campfire communion".
It was a beautiful night on the beach...and as the sun was setting we could see several campfires lit along the beach where groups of people (like us) were sharing in community.
Oh how beautiful...He paints the sky and we get to paint on each others' lives.
A DAY WITH OUR IMAGINATIONS
Shark Week anyone?
today some of us spontaneously drove down the coast from Lincoln City to Newport to enjoy a day of whale watching at Boiler Bay, seafood at Mo's, and fun times at the Oregon Coast Aquarium.
here we are...The Boise Beanie Gang, ready for a brisk day by the ocean.
funny story here...we had another sightseer generously agree to take our photo and it actually took SEVERAL shots to get this one that we felt "post" worthy (come on, you know you all have done it too!)
we all had a blast at the aquarium getting to see sea lions, sea otters, puffins, all kinds of various fish, sharks...and jellyfish!
jelly...fish. jellyfish.
sea anenemonaneees (LOL...i can never say it right!)
my favorite part was the underwater walkways that gave us views of fish and sharks and stingrays all around us.
it was such a cool experience...check out those sharks swimming near us!
we were all awed by the beauty and splendor of our aquatic friends...
rare fish people of Idaho
part way through the tunnels I began thinking of the numerous suspense movies i've seen that featured an underwater tunnel system where some giant creature like Jaws or a Squid or some Alien species attacked...and it didn't fare well for the unsuspecting tourists enjoying their vacation or scientists or laborers working for the man...and my imagination took flight...
Ah yes, the imagination...it's what happens when artists travel together.
Thank you Sherri for introducing us to THE AQUARIUM! We LOVED it!
SANDCASTLE MAKING JUST FOR THE JOY OF IT!
OH HAPPY DAY!!!!!
Today was the Sandcastle Contest held at Taft Bay in Lincoln City. Hords of contestants and observers and merrymakers crowded the beach throughout the day adding to the festive ambiance of this annual event.
Because of the connection that The Coastal Creatives has with VineArts...and because of I was asked to come over on one of my art ministry trips to connect with the Coastal Creatives (which led to the invitation of some of the VineArts ministers to join in with me on the trip)....This was a unique opportunity for artists from VineArts (at Vineyard Boise church) led by Jessie Nilo to join in with artists from Coastal Creatives (at the Coast Vineyard chuch) led by Gaylene Golden to participate (unofficially) in the sandcastle making today.
You see...God is already having conversations with me. He is already having conversations with Gaylene and with the Coastal Creatives. He is already having conversations with Jessie and with VineArts. The unique opportunity is that together we're getting the opportunity to listen in on those conversations. to enter into the conversations. to engage in the conversations. and to cross-pollinate from the conversations.
I love what we get to do!
Behind the Scenes: Gaylene's husband Tom constructed the plans for us to create a fairly traditional sandcastle...and we all came up with some artistical additions once the structure was being built.
Step one: creating a mound tall enough to support the inner keep.
Step two: create the inner keep.
Step three: create the outer walls
At one point we experienced a slight set back...part of the inner keep collapsed. But that didn't stop us artists from being creative...we "worked with it" and transformed the collapse into something new and beautiful (hmmmm....I've heard this somewhere before "beauty for ashes")
Step four: create the steps, motes, bridges and outer sea baring wall
I absolutely love being able to partner with my Art Family on this trip! I'm such a beach bum at heart...and this has been a unique way to experience creating and ministering together.
And I absolutely love being able to come alongside this neighboring art family to not only participate in a fun day of sandcastle making...but also to continue to get to know them each a bit more as we worked side by side, and to connect some with the community as they came to observe and interact with us.
THIS WAS SO FUN!!!!!!
Finished SandCastle: front view
Finished SandCastle: side view (including colored sand, reeds, and flags)
Finished SandCastle: back view (including colored sand, rocks, flowers, reeds, and flags)
Finished SandCastle: mote view (including colored sand, goldfish crackers posing as piranha, and a blue shark)
The Coastal Creatives and VineArts collaborative community!
When we were all finished our combined group gathered for a BBQ on the beach (thank you God for multiplying the Nilo fishes & loaves for us) and then Communion on the beach (led by James whose idea it was and who gave a heartfelt sermon about Christ's sacrifice and love for us). It was a rich time together and great way to wrap up our day on the beach in community.
May we continue to love much and love well.
PAINTING LIVE...CASTING OUT IN LOVE THROUGH CREATIVITY
Last Tuesday evening Jessie got to paint live at The Coast Vineyard in Lincoln City during a "Neverclaim" concert.
Today I got to paint live at The Coast Vineyard in Lincoln City during a worship service.
Today we realized that both of our paintings were not a coincidence in what and how they were painted (hers' first and mine last)...like bookends to the pastors sermon today...to speak (through the language of creativity) a prophetic word to The Coast Vineyard.
I love how none of this is planned, none of this is about me or Jessie, none of this is about the art even...it's about how much God loves these guys that He would do something crazy like bring Jessie to paint there on Tuesday (which I couldn't be there cuz I was elsewheres) with no idea what was ahead for me to paint, and bring me to paint there today (which was determined ahead of time but with no idea what Jessie painted)...and neither of us would know what the pastor would be speaking about today either! And it all fit so perfectly! And afterwards we knew it, Gaylene knew it, the pastor knew it, the people knew it.
It's like Jessie's painting is where that church is at right now...and my painting is where it is being called to go. Both go together. They speak of transitions in leadership (the staff like Moses to hand over to Joshua), the waters of the ocean receding like a tide-a need for revelation, cleaning up the stuff that are obstacles that have been revealed (the driftwood), being unified in the Body (standing on each others' shoulders-multi generational), being aware of natural and spiritual giftings to be utilized in love, to let Christ cast them out (as a net) to be fishers of men (people loving people) when the waves come back in.
That's how this happens...time and time again. God loves us so much. This is what He wants us to truly understand deep in our hearts and to live from this. I love that Jessie and I got to partner together to enter into the conversation God is having with the Coast Vineyard in Lincoln City, Oregon.
It seems like that is the message He has me speak on EVERY trip...no matter where I go in the world, no matter what culture I'm in, no matter how many creative ways it needs to be spoken. It is the conversation He is having with us all.
GOD LOVES YOU
c. Jessie Nilo 2014
In Jessie's own words:
"The staff signifies the beauty of leadership and the faded-edged barriers represent the dissolution of obstacles. And purple flowers were emerging through the hot sand regardless of the windy, parched conditions. It's the actual scene I saw on the beach on the same day I painted it live.
(Acrylic on canvas 24x30, gifted to the Coast Vineyard Christian Fellowship)."
"Transformational Illumination"
c. Lisa Marten 2014
22x28 mixed media on canvas
gifted to the Coast Vineyard Christian Fellowship
based on John 17:20-25
SURFIN AN DAKINE
Today I got to go surfin an dakine!
This makes it my 3rd time surfing (once off New Zealand's North Island on the west coast at Raglan Beach, once off Maui's Lahaina area, and now once off the Oregon Coast's Otter State Park Beach between Depot Bay and Newport).
Pastor Tim Henton of Coast Vineyard Church (where I painted live during worship yesterday) owns the Oregon Surf Shop in Lincoln City. He set me, and the VineArts fam I have along with me, up with some gear so we could go catch some waves today.
MAHALO OREGON SURF SHOP! YOU BRADDAHS ARE DAKINE!
Tom Golden (Gaylene's husband) loaded us up in his VW Bus (a throwback from the 70's) and we headed down the highway towards aquatic adventure!
Once on the beach (which by the way we had to descend and ascend A MILLION steps to get to the beach!) Tom (who has been surfing all his life) gave us a quick lesson for safety and tips to get started. Yes...we are wearing wet suits, booties, gloves, and some of us wore hoods...cuz the water was FREEZING COLD!
I love water. I really do. But I have issues with water (drowning) fears. With each adventure I take I am working on trying to overcome my fears in healthy ways. Learning to surf is part of that healing process for me. It started in New Zealand with my friend Tash who was so kind and gentle and encouraging to start me out with getting used to the board and the waves. It continued in Hawaii with my friend Kylee who was so patient and encouraging and gave very helpful instruction as I faced strong waves head on. And it has continued here in Oregon with my friend Tom who gave me a good refresher and left me on my own to tackle the waves with confidence.
MAHALO TASH, KYLEE, & TOM!
YOU SURFAHZ ARE DAKINE!
Each surf has taken me one step farther. The first time I mostly used the surf board as a "boogie board" laying down to ride the waves in (but I learned how to watch and feel for the right moment)...it was all I could handle at the time. The second time I mostly learned how to paddle the surf board out past the breakers (which taught me a lot about setting up the board correctly)...i faced a lot of fear that day as I was thrown from my board several times. This third time I knew enough to be able to get up on the surf board in a crouching position to ride waves in (which helped me feel a sense of accomplishment that I'm moving forward)...i wasn't scared and was actually having fun !!!
Tom later commented that though I haven't experienced "hangin ten" yet...I did "hang five" This made me laugh. It's all good!
The VineArts Tribe surfin an dakine!
It's a good good life!
Much Aloha to you all!
SHAKA!
here's a short video i took of the waves of the ocean today.
"you call me out upon the waters, the great unknown, where feet may fail. and there I find you in the mystery, in oceans deep, my faith will stand. and I will call upon your name. and keep my eyes above the waves. when oceans rise. my soul will rest in your embrace. for i am yours and you are mine. your grace abounds in deepest waters. your sovereign hand, will be my guide. where feet may fail and fear surrounds me. you've never failed and you won't start now. spirit lead me where my trust is without borders. let me walk upon the waters. wherever you may call me. take me deeper than my feet cold ever wander and my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my savior."
(Oceans: Where Feet May Fail-Hillsongs United)
WHEN HE CASTS YOU OUT TOGETHER
Tonight was my last night creatively ministering in Lincoln City at the Coast Vineyard Church. I was honored to be a part of a meeting they had tonight about intercession and warfare prayer...with an emphasis on worship (including music & singing, dance & painting). Myself and a few others were asked to share testimony of our experience in these areas. It was a really fun interactive night together as we all learned to listen to God's voice corporately (receiving words, Scriptures, images, songs, and actions for us to do) for the intentional purpose of interceding for the church. It was a great lesson for them in learning to listen to the Spirit and step out in faith trusting in the Sovereignty of God to love people (and not just the ones in their church or sphere of influence already...but those who will be brought to them) I can see this as a launching point for this church...they are preparing to be cast out together (like a net) into deeper waters to love much and love well as the Father leads. And the "fish" in the net will be the broken, the hurting, the addicted, the abused, ...those who will need the love and grace and mercy of the Father's heart as a healing balm experienced through loving, compassionate, hearts who understand what it is to be broken, hurting, addicted, and abused. Tonight these guys learned to intercede with the Love of the Father. It was a beautiful thing to observe them "getting it". I've really enjoyed my week with them...it's been an honor and a joy to come alongside and creatively enter into the conversation that God is having with them.
Oh how He loves us!
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