Monday, December 29, 2014

2014

I love looking back on the year. I love looking at the colors that inspired me and how they changed, evolved. I love the feeling of "I can't believe I created that"....and also the desire in me that says..."I so badly wish to create like that again". There are highs and lows throughout the journey of a year of art-making. Most of the time, in the process, I don't know what I'm doing. 2014 was a year to embrace that space of uncomfortableness. It's a space of growing...of newness.

Devoting my life to following Christ and sharing my faith through art has brought me so much joy. I feel more me. I feel more sure. I feel more....well everything. There is a Light so bright that I can't help but share. There is a Peace veil I walk around with.....a calm truth.



May 2015 bring you Peace, Light and Joy!

I also wanted to share with you a response to this basic question:

Q. Please help me with painting faces. I don't think I'm doing it right. You make it look so easy. Can you help me out?

My answer: First off you should be very proud of these faces! They are beautifully primitive and raw. In the process of painting, it sometimes "feels like" you should work to tighten up and get them "right" but you are doing what the lessons teach....to stay loose. Embrace that! and I applaud you for that. Most folks don't even grasp what you have grasped. They work and work until it's overworked. (I have done this so many times and it's ok too. To overwork something is good. Now you know where to ease up and just let it be)

And as far as me making it look easy, I agree. It is easy for me now. And it will be for you too. Keep in mind, I have been painting almost every day for the last 8 years. I always urge folks to go back and look at my earlier work: https://www.flickr.com/photos/timssally/sets/72157600457334817/
As you can see I started out very humble but as you scroll down, you can see my practice starts to slowly pay off.  I painted a whole year before I even tried my hand at painting faces I went to art school from 2006 to 2009 (not finishing) and I would run home as fast as I could to paint and draw how "I wanted to". Art school gets no credit for helping me find my style. (My Divine God and happy accidents gets all the credit!) 

I also worked as a makeup artist for 6 years before I started painting with acrylics. I feel that helped me to learn the basics of color and how it works in the face. (Although I will say that painting a 3 dimensional face is totally different than painting flat. When you are painting flat you have to give the illusion that it has more dimension than it does.)

The secret is to paint every day. There really is no magic potion other than that. And if you love painting you will want to paint every day. Don't stop at these faces. Keep going. Fill up your whole journal with faces. And then compare at the end. I guarantee that you'll surprise yourself.

I wish you the best......! Keep pushing through....




Here is a sampling of some of my favorite paintings that I created in 2014.....






Tuesday, December 23, 2014

My soul, is You.



I drink your your light
It shatters all fear.
My newness glitters on crystals of falling snow
I am one with you.
One with nature.

You embody this new me.
Your goodness travels on each cell.
Alive and replicating.
My bones are you.
My blood is you.

But most importantly
the part that is not seen of me, my soul, is You.



My soul, is You - original





Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Christmas Story

My spirit resides not in my mind.
It surpasses physical realms.
It feeds on light
glows with the hope of Christ

My life is yours
You are the greatest gift ever told
ever lived




Friday, December 5, 2014

Unique Miracle

The sky looked different tonight
the clouds a pattern and passing unique to its second in time.
Then it changed again.

I love the ongoing-every-second-of-everyday-creativity of our Creator.
The devine design of God overwhelms my soul.
Every second a new miracle exists.
Every second a new unique pattern....shape...smell....blade.....droplet.....color.....chirp

I look up to see a bat looking down at me.
He's flying a path and pattern I'm sure he's never flown before....or maybe he has.
Either way, a miracle

The air thickened with fog sets in.
The smell of morning rain seeps into the ground
Yes, I'm sure it's all new.
To see each day, each second with a newness of each passing miracle is how I hope to live.
This is my prayer, my hope.

Surely God is in this place!


inspired by scripture Genesis 28: 15-17
15 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.
16 When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” 17 He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.”
and a quote by Albert Einstein:
There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. 

Primitive Portraits 3 giveaway winner

Mixedmedia Jenn....congrats you won a spot in my new class Primitive Portraits 3! I sent you an invitation to the classroom via the email you provided.

thank you all for helping to spread the word. Very much appreciated!!

xo
mindy

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Becoming: the unfolding of you


I'm so thankful and excited that Jeanne Oliver invited me to share my story and process of worship painting with you for Becoming: the unfolding of You.

Back last January I wrote these words:

I wish to go out on great waters. In your hands, I will not fail.
My faith takes on a newness. It's because you teach me.
You crack me open so that light enters and then grows.
I am all Yours. In your presence, I am more me.
That is where my soul dwells.
I have finally found You
and in doing so I found me.

In 2007, when I first started painting....I felt like I had found myself. I had purpose. I loved my job. I love painting so much that even still I get a flutter in my belly when I wake up in the morning. Through painting I felt myself growing closer to God. I realize now when I saw the moon over the Pacific Ocean, it was God calling me to Him. He revealed himself exactly the way I would respond. So gently. Subtle. It's because He knows me. He knew me before, now, and He goes before me and plans my day. The complexity with which God works is overwhelmingly beautiful! I found me through God/Jesus/Holy Spirit.







Jeanne has gathered these beautiful souls to share with you their testimony how God has worked in their lives. Each of us will be sharing creative projects from the soul and inspired by our spiritual walk with Jesus.


Here is all the info about the class and how you can join in.... (and did I mention Jeanne is offering this for free!)


Course description:
This January join 20 women for an 8 week study all about finding your true identity in Christ.  Each week you will hear unfolding stories from the women in this study.  We will be sharing truths about who the Lord says we are and our personal journeys to accepting those truths.

We will also have fun creative videos that follow the study where the women will share one of their gifts. Think guitar playing, bread making, painting, entertaining and more.  You know I can't have a course without sharing how the Lord uses our creativity! My hope is that the study will give you fresh eyes for the Lord and yourself.  When we know who we are in Christ it changes everything and opens our paths and gifts in incredible new ways.
Some of us are carrying around "truths" about ourselves that are flat out lies and it time to lay them down

This study will be open and honest, real, Bible based and a bit of creativity too.  We hope you will join us January 6, 2015 for this free online study!

Directions to register:To join this free study you just need to be registered at jeanneoliver.ning.com (registering is free).

Once you are on the site you will find this study, free videos (business and art), my Creativity Takes Courage series and new online courses along the left hand side of the page.

You will find all of our courses/videos under the COURSES heading.

To register for Becoming | The Unfolding of You

1) Go to COURSES along the left hand side of the page

2) Go to the bottom of the course and click “view all” to find Becoming | The Unfolding of You

4) Click on Becoming | The Unfolding of You

3) Click the +join button on the upper right hand side

4) All of the details are on the page and you are all set for the study to begin on January 6, 2015

Tell your friends!

Here is the direct link to the study...
http://jeanneoliver.ning.com/group/becoming-the-unfolding-of-you

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Primitive Portraits 3




I'm so excited to announce Primitive Portraits 3. This 3rd installment of my most popular class, Primitive Portraits begins December 30th.


There are 5 projects that include raw, primitive portrait tags, working with a restrictive color palette and creating a Primitive family portrait.

And I'm so so thrilled to announce that we have 3 guest artists!! yahoo!! Christina Romeo and Tati Vice, and Lana Guerra are joining us to share their process for creating lovely, raw primitive portraits.



Christina Romeo





Tati Vice


My journey as an artist began early in life, with ballet shoes, a lot of sweat and a drawing, here and there.
After a lot of years passed, many of those dedicated to movement, I realised that I had to find another creative path, one that I could carry with me, as I grew older. 
That was when I found Art-journaling, which opened up a whole new world, with endless possibilities. From then on, I’ve never stopped, jumping from the page to the canvas, taking on-line courses, joining the village at art-retreats, and having the privilege to be among and meet beautiful and very talented people.
As I continue my journey on this creative path, I uncover each day, a passion, a drive and a wish that my art, no matter what form it takes, will touch people’s lives in someway.  And my cup overflows everyday. 
- Tati Vice


Lana Guerra






REGISTER HERE
or if you already have an etsy account you can
register here



the details
  • You will get lifetime access to the classroom!
  • $59 early bird registration through December 14th
  • $75 regular registration begins December 15th
  • Class begins December 30th
  • You do not have to take Primitive Portraits 1 and 2 but I will say that it is very helpful. I have a bundle deal for 1 and 2 here (save $30 by getting the bundle)


here is a little sneak peek video:







GIVEAWAY!

  • I need your help spreading the news about Primitive Portraits 3
  • I'm going to give away 1 class. (if you've already signed up, no worries....if you win, I'll refund your money)
  • Please share this blog post link on your blog, pinterest, instagram, or Facebook
  • come back here and let me know - leave your name, email address, and how you shared
  • drawing will be done on December 5th, 2014. please check back here on that day to see if you won (also please leave your email on your comment so that I can send you an invitation to the class if you win)


Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Twelve Artsy Ornaments giveaway!






Twelve Artsy Ornaments begins very soon! I am doing a giveaway here and need your help getting the word out. 

To enter the giveaway:
  • Share this link on Facebook, your blog, instagram, pinterest or any other social media
  • Come back here and leave your name, email and how you shared
  • Winner will be announced on December 1st.
  • Class begins December 2nd





Sunday, November 23, 2014

Stand


So what could I say?
And what could I do?
But offer this heart, Oh God
Completely to you

I'll stand
With arms high and heart abandoned
In awe of the one who gave it all
I'll stand
My soul Lord to you surrendered
All I am is yours


- Hillsong United


I am taking a Stand for Jesus. Who's with me?





my journal

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Primitive Portraits 1 and 2 bundle

As I'm getting ready to launch Primitive Portraits 3 next month, I wanted to offer Primitive Portraits 1 and 2 as a bundle deal. You save $30 by getting the bundle and you have lifetime access. If you want to learn to paint faces or if you have been struggling to loosen up your style then these two classes have the tools to get you there!
https://ruzuku.com/courses/6446/about


Monday, November 10, 2014

You are my everything




The water of the Divine strengthens me.
God's constant love...
unceasing.
Through Jesus I am Free
Sweet Lamb of God,
 you are my Everything!

Monday, November 3, 2014

12 Artsy Ornaments

I'm so thrilled to announce I am teaching this year for the 
 2014 Twelve Artsy Ornaments of Christmas Workshop!!




Class starts December 2nd, 2015
  • It's a Five day mini workshop that include 12 fabulous artsy teacher!  Each day for five days (Tuesday- Saturday) 3 new ornament/holiday projects will be posted by 3 of our fabulous teachers!  We will have all sorts of fun projects including ornaments, holiday decor, gift giving projects and more
  • This workshop will include the following teachers: Margie Romney-Aslett, Mindy Lacefield, Chrissy Gardner, Julie Fei-Fan Balzer, Jane Davenport, Misty Mawn, Tamara Laporte, Dyan Reaveley, Jenny Wentworth, Effy Wild, Limor Webber & Christy Tomlinson
  • Cost $24.95
  • access timeframe: You will have 1 year access to the class. Come and go as you please. Work at your own pace. All projects are recorded so you don't have to be online at easy specific time.
  • supply lists will be available upon registration. Christy loves for you to watch the videos first so that you can work with what you already have and some supplies can be substituted. So having watched the videos first, you'll get a feel for exactly what you need. And you may save some money in the long run!

Here is the ornament I'll be making:





Friday, October 31, 2014

The business of fixing



I'm not in the business of fixing people
I'm not in the business of fixing you
Where I'm at right now is fixing the part of me that thought I could
I want to and have wanted to so badly in the past that I let myself suffer
Maybe I'm trying to suffer for you
I want to take it all away
I want it to all be better
Because I love you more than anything
The guilt
the worry
the shame
all in not being able to fix your problems

What I am learning and still at odds with myself is
that I have to surrender it all up to God.
He is in the business of the fixing
Oh he does a good job
He does it through problems, the so-called suffering. And the real suffering
He does it through anguish and turmoil
But His specialty is through Love
That is the only truth

Grasp hold tightly to love
Cling to that like your life depends on it
Because it truly does
Embrace your hardships. Because God is working on YOU.
No I'm not going to fix you.....or your problems
Look toward Heaven and your "problems" soon become the best blessing of all

This is only my story. my side. I don't know you inside and out. I don't know every hair on your head. But I know who does. And He is on your side.

All I can do is write. To free myself of the this slavery that I put myself through. Through painting and writing.....Through the Almighty God.....I am free!!


Thursday, October 23, 2014

Glitter Angel giveaway winners

Congrats to Serena Berry and Maggie!!! you have won a Glitter Angel class. I have Serena's email but Maggie could you reply to this post or email me at lacefield13@yahoo.com with your email address?

Thank you all for helping me spread the word!!


Class starts November 1st

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Birds. and a day off


Today I took a much needed day off from the daily studio/home routine. It was a perfect day for driving! I met up with my sister and mom in Mountain View, AR to grab some lunch and look around at the shops on the square. We had lunch overlooking Sylamore river at Anglar's Cafe. I told my mom and sis that the last time I was there we spotted a bald eagle flying over the river. He proceeded to put on a show for the whole restaurant by soaring and perching on a nearby tree. I hadn't expected to see a bald eagle again on this trip. I wasn't expecting to see any cool birds at all. I was wrong. On the beautiful, winding drive back home....I spotted a Scissor-tailed flycatcher. I have never seen one before. I knew it was somewhat rare for this area. (not as rare as the fork-tailed flycatcher). I couldn't wait to get back home and look through my bird book to see what bird this was!! The determining markings that I definitely remember seeing was the black and white tail. (the fork-tail has an all black tail)

But before I saw this beauty, I spotted two wild turkeys on the side of the road. a beautiful day indeed!







Sunday, October 19, 2014

Glitter Angel


I'm so excited to share with you a new class offering! Glitter Angel….
So back in 2011, I submitted a tree angel to Stampington and it was published in their "Holidays and Celebrations" publiication in 2012. After spending some time and enjoying my tree angel...I decided to sell her. Many folks asked about how I created this Angel and asked for a class so I thought I would create a sparkly version of this sweet angel in time for Christmas. You have lifetime access so that you can create Angel after Angel....or any little girl for that matter. There are so many directions to take this in. Dress her up in fibers...sparkly glitter...but most of all have fun!


Supply list:

  • plastic ornament - 4 inches
  • gesso (any gesso will do but I love Dina Wakley's gesso. so smooth and creamy
  • old brush or wood dowel
  • styrofoam or paper mache cone --about 7" tall
  • sandpaper - any grit
  • 24 gauge wire
  • wire cutters
  • acrylic paints
  • muslin fabric
  • collage pauge - matte
  • lindy's stamp gang sprays 
  • mulberry paper - 1 sheet is plenty
  • wireless chenile - 
  • pretty fibers/fabric 
  • recycled cardboard or chipboard
  • iridescent gold paint 
  • hot glue gun and glue sticks
  • pencil
  • white opaque flakes
  • craft felt - 1 small piece 
  • glitter....lots of glitter!!
  •  
  • paint colors for face:
  • van dyke brown hue
  • americana fiery red (neon)
  • quin. nickel azo gold
  • bright aqua green 
  • heavy body white paint 
  • a full list with links and more details are available when you sign up!

I'm so excited to announce that Susana Tavares will be our guest artist!!
I am Susana Tavares, self-taught artist, I live in Lisbon, Portugal.If I pick 3 words to describe my art will be: feminine, spiritual, whimsical …with a bit of magic dust :)


  • Class begins: November 1st
  • $29
  • lifetime access







here is the girl I'll be demo-ing:






GIVEAWAY instructions
  • I need your help spreading the news about Glitter Angel!
  • I'm going to give away 2 Glitter Angel classes 
  • (if you've already signed up, no worries....if you win, I'll refund your money)
  • Please share this blog post link on your blog, pinterest, instagram, or Facebook
  • come back here and let me know - leave your name, email address and how you shared
  • drawing will be done on Thursday, October 23rd

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

my space

So I was asked the other day about my set-up for filming my classes and I promised him a photo. So I thought I would share this here so that everyone could see my space.

Go here to see what products I use....tripod and camera. I've also listed the supply list for packing and backing board that I use for my prints.




Monday, October 13, 2014

Printmaking unleashed inspired project

Today I want to share with you a project that is inspired by Traci Bautista's Printmaking Unleashed book!
I received a big, beautiful box of supplies to play with…chock full of materials for printmaking, stencils, stamps, golden high flow paints and so much more. I am so thrilled and blessed to have been included in such a wonderful blog hop!!


here are some of the prints that I made from the tutorials in the book:














 I took these prints and created a collage/painting. Follow along with my process here:




Staying Present



If you are interested in learning more from Traci, she has an amazing online class that compliments the book. Find out more here:

Register and learn more

Friday, October 3, 2014

Soul bird winner

Congrats to Ronda Conley!!! Thank you all so much for helping to spread the word about my online class. I can't wait to see the work that comes out of it.

Monday, September 29, 2014

Soul Bird class and giveaway




This class is all about working intuitively. Travel with me on the wings of your own Soul Bird into what fuels your creative spirit. We will be doing lots of mark making....with colored pencils and black pencils. We will follow the winds as they guide us. We will create from the soul.
There are 5 lessons plus a bonus guest artist lesson.
  • a painted papers lesson with lots of mark making
  • a bookboard journal painting lesson
  • a painting on cardboard with lots of mark making and paint
  • 2 big (16"x16") intuitive paintings on wood. Very rich and deep in the process of how I work intuitively
  • Guest Artist Tati Vice. I am so so thrilled to share with you her painting process!
  • Early bird registration through October 4th: $49
  • October 5th regular registration: $59
  • class starts October 14th
I truly believe that your soul bird is your creative spirit. And in that spirit, fear has no place. It's impossible in that space. We will create from this source. We will evolve, grow, and accept our "mistakes" as stunning insights into our power consciousness.



More about our guest artist, Tati Vice



My journey as an artist began early in life, with ballet shoes, a lot of sweat and a drawing, here and there.
After a lot of years passed, many of those dedicated to movement, I realised that I had to find another creative path, one that I could carry with me, as I grew older. 
That was when I found Art-journaling, which opened up a whole new world, with endless possibilities. From then on, I’ve never stopped, jumping from the page to the canvas, taking on-line courses, joining the village at art-retreats, and having the privilege to be among and meet beautiful and very talented people.
As I continue my journey on this creative path, I uncover each day, a passion, a drive and a wish that my art, no matter what form it takes, will touch people’s lives in someway.  And my cup overflows everyday. 
- Tati Vice




GIVEAWAY!

  • I need your help spreading the news about Soul Bird
  • I'm going to give away 1 Soul Bird class PLUS a choice of either Primitive Portraits 1, Frolic, Field Notes, or Paint Your Story (you can choose to gift one of these add on classes if you wish)
  • (if you've already signed up, no worries....if you win, I'll refund your money)
  • Please share this blog post link on your blog, pinterest, instagram, or Facebook
  • come back here and let me know - leave your name, email address and how you shared
  • drawing will be done on Oct 3rd.