Happy 2018 everyone! I am so excited to have crossed over into this New Year. This is a year of fresh starts, new doors and digger deeper... for me, beginning with a blank canvas.  I wanted to start off the year by announcing a new creative adventure that I am honoured to be part of.

Whenever I return home from traveling & painting on a revive trip, I go through a "re-grouping" myself at home phase.  Often this can lead to immediately having the rush of thoughts

A lot has happened in my creative world since I last wrote and back from reviveFLORIDA, so I thought it was time to give you a little update.  

SPRING ART SHOW | New Original Art

On April 12, 2016 I held my own "Spring Art Show" here in my hometown of Cochrane, AB.  It was a wonderful night to showcase my new original art collection.  The central theme was "Springtime," my favourite season.  I started working on the collection back in the winter, feeling a nudge to paint the coming signs of spring.  We held the show at a local Italian restaurant, Portofino's, the room was transformed into a garden full of fresh flowers, chirping birds and rainy skies.  It was a fabulous evening!  Thank you to all who came out to support me, I really appreciate it.  To view the collection click here.

"See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.  Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. (Song of Solomon 2:11-12)

Prophetic Painting Live | Worship Nights

I've been fortunate to paint live during worship here at home with Burn24-7 Calgary. I have had the opportunity to paint two nights so far, one in Cochrane, AB at King's Gate Church, back in March and one a couple weeks ago in Calgary.

Below are the two paintings I did at these events:

"In Harmony" 30x40 inches - Sold

"How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!" (Psalm 133:1)

"Send the Rain" 30x40 inches - available for purchase

 "The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you." (Deuteronomy 28:8)

YOUR INVITED | Burn 24-7 Calgary | Friday, April 29, 2016 | 7pm-11pm

I'm so excited to join them again this Friday, April 29th at C3 Church Calgary West location. If you are in the Calgary area, and want to come worship and see me paint, please come out!  7pm-11pm

 I also painted live last Friday night at a worship night with our House Church called, "Rain Fall."  It was such a fun night of worship, dance, singing and praising.  I felt the Lord speak to me about painting a visual of JOY in the storm.  "Consider it Pure Joy" is an expression of finding joy in all circumstances.  No matter what storm you are facing, there is always the choice to pull on God's joy!  In Him we find strength.  

"Consider it Pure Joy" 30x40 inches - available for purchase

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4)

#100daysofpainting | The 100 Day Project

So what am I up to now?  After my Spring Art Show I thought I would take a little break before I figure out the next direction of my work.  I worked on updating my website with all the new original paintings, click here to check them out.  Stay tuned for new fine art prints as well!  Then I thought I would take a week off... and I saw this:

My initial thoughts were, oh man, that would be so intense!  Painting for 100 days straight, I just completed a couple months of hard work and need a break.  But, I am someone who loves a good challenge and couldn't pass it up.  So...I joined in this crazy adventure of painting for 100 days!  You can follow me in this journey on Instagram @minoaten  

The whole point is the commitment to the process.  There are no set rules, just to practice in the process of creating everyday.  It can be completing a painting a day, or working on a piece in progress... simply doing something productive each day in your craft.

Here is my progress so far:  

Day 1/100 "In the Beginning" 6x6 inches

 Day 2/100 "In the Spirit" 20x20 inches

Day 3/100 "Cranberry Splash" 6x6 inches 

Day 4/100 "Consider it Pure Joy" 30x40 inches

Day 5/100 "Lemon Twist" 6x6 inches

Day 6/100 "Lime Stripe" 6x6 inches

Day 7/100 | Work in Progress | Commission

Day 8/100 "Iced Coffee Cream" 6x6 inches

Day 9/100 "Blueberry Smoothie" 6x6 inches

Stay tuned for more artwork on my #100daysofpainting challenge...

Upcoming Events

1. Burn 24-7 Calgary | Friday, April 29th @ 7pm-11pm | C3 Church Calgary West 

I will be live painting during this worship night.

2.  Art in Action: A Showcase to Raise Awareness about Human Trafficking | June 15, 2016

I am live painting at this event and donating my painting to raise money.  Please read below for details and get your tickets:

An inaugural fundraising event in Calgary, this evening will feature a silent art auction, artistic performances including live music, dance, and a live painting, which will be available for purchase. This lively event will also feature a presentation from ACT Alberta and a chance to learn more about human trafficking and how to help. All proceeds raised will go toward ACT Alberta's programming. 

Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Cardel Theatre
180 Quarry Park Blvd SE, Calgary, AB
Doors at 6:30 PM. Showcase at 7:00 PM

Tickets are $25 and are available online only. Get your tickets here.

3. Spring Artisan Market in Cochrane, AB | June 25, 2016

I will have a table at this artisan market showcasing my art!  Would love to see you all... come say hi and take a peek.  

Frank Wills Memorial Hall | 405 - 1st Street East, Cochrane | 10:30am - 4:30pm

Thank you all for reading my update.  It's been an exciting spring season so far.  Lots on the go, lots to look forward to.  I am also in the process of updating my "fine art print" collections on my website.  Some neat features coming soon.  You can still take advantage of my 25% OFF all FINE ART PRINTS until the end of April.  Click here to view.  Use the coupon code "spring25" at the checkout.  

I pray you all are blessed!  

Mindi

As 2015 comes to close, I can’t help but be extremely thankful for all that I was able to accomplish this year. None of it would have been possible if it wasn’t for God. I know that sounds like a line from an acceptance speech, but in all seriousness, it was all done by the guidance, leading and strength from the Lord.

You know that line, “it’s all who you know” when it comes to advancing… you need to know the right people and at the right time, kind-of-thing? I have to chuckle a little because when you know Jesus, put your life into His hands, He will do remarkable things you can’t even try to accomplish on your own. You don’t have to strive to position yourself, get in front of the “right” people to get a “break,” He is all you need. He makes the paths straight and the doors open. Trust, patience, communication and obedience are all it takes.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

My 2015 is a testimony of this.

It all began with an open door in January. My cousin Kyle texted me a simple message, “Hey it’s your cousin, we are seeing a move of God breaking out in Indiana. The Lord laid you on my heart this morning to come down and prophetic paint on stage. Have you ever done this before? Would you be willing to come?”

Open doors require action. This was an opportunity I couldn’t refuse. No matter how scary that sounded, I knew it was God holding the door wide open to what He’d already prepared for me by speaking to me through a dream, through prophetic words from others, through a shift in my heart and a spoken word to me about returning to my art, that He would take me places if I do it for Him.

The year before I had a hunger for more of God and He sure showed up. I dug into the Word, studied and learned to hear His voice, so what He was preparing me for – something I didn’t dream would actually happen – fell in my lap. When that happens, it’s go time.

reviveINDIANA:

One trip and 4 paintings later turned into 11 more trips to 7 different cities in Indiana, 48 paintings and a celebration I’ll never forget. If you told me I would paint in a stadium with over 6,000 people, I would of laughed. There is no way to prepare you for some of the experiences we had in reviveINDIANA.

I remember the first painting, on January 28, 2015, with trembling hands; I got up on stage and took a deep breath. I had only done this twice before, on a much smaller scale and smaller canvas. I really had no idea what I was doing…all I knew was when God is on it, He will be your strength. So, I asked Him to take over my hand, calm my fear and “First Love” came out of it.

Looking back, I find it so fitting that “First Love” was the beginning of my adventure in prophetic art. It will always be a reminder of staying true to my first love, in Jesus Christ. It all starts here.

After reviveINDIANA, we ventured to Mississippi for reviveTUPELO. God opened more doors and I got to see the birthplace of Elvis Presley. It was a site of humbling beginnings and the birthplace of rock n’ roll. Let’s just say, worship was awesome in Tupelo!

In November my husband was able to join me on a cruise we will never forget. Time to Revive was invited to board the Celebrity Summit Cruise line in San Juan, Puerto Rico to reviveSOUTHERNCARIBBEAN islands. This was a perfect time of relaxation, fun in the sun and sharing the Gospel to the people on the islands of Tortola, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, and St. Thomas. Painting on a cruiseship was something I would have never dreamed of doing. It was truly unforgettable.

The last trip of 2015 was to Dallas, TX to paint for the Time to Revive annual banquet. “Here We Go” was a prophetic vision to wrap up all we did in 2015 and also launch us into 2016. Pack your bags to go out into the harvest. It’s time.

I completed 56 prophetic paintings in 2015 with Time to Revive. I also did a 30-day mini painting series of rest in my studio. (And completed several commissions during my time home).   I learned to never limit your abilities to accomplish goals. I had no idea I could paint this much art in one year. No clue.

2015 taught me to break off the chain of fear, nothing is impossible for God and with God. I learned perseverance and endurance, how to rest well to keep going, function on little sleep and no preparation. Walk by the Holy Spirit, trusting and learning to hear His voice. I saw the fruit and miracles by walking in obedience to the voice of the Lord. I saw the Body of Christ come together in unity, mobilize, equip and GO OUT to share the love of Jesus. I gained friendships that will last a lifetime, gathered a list of precious people I continue to pray for, and have a greater hunger to see God move and know Him more.

2016 I look forward to new levels. I have great anticipation for what’s coming. As the Body of Christ press into the calling and assignment the Lord has for each and every one of us, we will see the unexpected. We all have a mission field and a calling. The area the Lord has given you talents, dreams and a sphere of influence right where you are…is your mission. If He’s given you dreams and desires for more, ask Him to line up the path for your destiny. Be patient in His timing, it is perfect.

THANK YOU to all who supported me this year! Thank you for collecting little treasures of my art, for the prayer support from so many of you and the encouragement.

2016… Here We Go! I’m so pumped.

Blessing for a fabulous, adventurous NEW YEAR!

All Glory to Him,

Mindi

Sitting in my studio this past week, contemplating what to work on, I stared at 3 unfinished pieces that have sat there half done for almost a year. Yes, that’s right… a whole year. Have you ever put a project or something on the back-burner so long that you forget about it? Or let time slip by so long you have no motivation to finish what you started? New, fresh ideas take over that seem better or more important, so the old just sits unfinished.

As I stared at those paintings, something came over me to get them done. I had a sudden burst of energy to revisit the unfinished work and complete it.  

I believe everything we do, every moment really, can be a chance to learn and grow when we take a look at it from heaven’s perspective. What is the Lord saying to me about this circumstance? I’ve learned that God is constantly speaking to us in every moment if we learn to hear Him. So, I asked, “What happened to these paintings I was once so excited to paint? Where did the lack of motivation and focus go that I neglected them for a year?” I stared at “Restored Beauty” the grey background with a sketch of antlers in white paint. The larger canvas with a blue background and a simple sketch of another antler, sat beside it. That was as far as I got. Starring at canvases with sketches of bones.

I remembered back to my initial plan to complete the paintings… I planned to do a series of antler paintings adorned with blossoming, beautiful flowers. When I started the paintings a year ago, antlers were quite popular in decorating and design, you would see them everywhere. Then the Lord reminded me of why I neglected them; I had a different mindset of looking at them from a worldly perspective. I had a fear that I wouldn’t be original enough because they were so popular, even though I loved the look. I over thought them to the point of not finishing them, because I was afraid to paint a subject matter that was trendy. Isn't that so silly?  

Boy have I come along way from that thinking… now I just do. I look at things from a different perspective. It doesn’t matter what things look like on the outside, if they are "trendy" or not, it’s the meaning that makes the difference.  The timing to revisiting these paintings were perfect.

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2)

Recently the Lord has been speaking to me about restoration. It is the subject that keeps coming back to me over and over. How He is restoring all things, making old things new.  I have dreams and ideas of this very subject written in my journal over the past several months. As I looked at the subject matter of the paintings I started, antlers with intensions of adding beautiful flowers to them… the Lord lead me to Ezekiel 37, along with many other verses in the Bible about restoration. He spoke to me about the strength and dominion of the Kingdom of Heaven being restored, new life sprouting out of dry bones.  My sudden burst of energy to finish what I had intended with these paintings a year ago was the Holy Spirit giving me new eyes to see what He is saying.  He ministered to my heart with the hope we have in Him as I layered pinks and greens of new life onto the canvas.

The initial motivation for painting these were just because I wanted a set of antlers on my wall, but I didn’t feel connected, obviously not enough to follow through with them to finish. But now I see the paintings in a whole new way…

As a representation of restoring old bones, adorning them into something new. From death to life.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

God restores.  He beautifully weaves restoration into the lives of those who allow Him to work. 

This is my collection of restoration.  

Last week I had the privilege of traveling to Tupelo, MS to prophetic paint with Time to Revive. It was an incredible time. We experienced the Lord move in a mighty way. I love watching and being part of the body of Christ come together in unity. It is the most powerful thing to experience…not about one person, about one denomination or an event; it’s about the common core of our faith…Jesus.

The first night I arrived, I painted “Come to the Table”. I received this vision a few days before heading to Tupelo. As I was praying for the area, the Lord showed me a picture of an empty wooden table in a field. He said, “Come. Come to the table and bring nothing but yourself.” I felt the significance of the table being in a field. It was outside, in His kingdom not in a building. It's an invitation right in front of us, waiting for fellowship with the Spirit. As believers we carry the Kingdom wherever we go. Come to the table, just yourself. He prepares the table before you. Empty yourself so the Holy Spirit can move through you. Often times it’s not the way we think or want in our human flesh, the Lord has different plans – much better plans than what we come up with. Empty yourself from agenda’s, plans, meetings, “the way we do things” and just come with hunger for God to move. Let God be God.

The second day I was there, I kept seeing a mental picture of a door. There was this open door in the Spirit and all we have to do is open it and walk through. This requires action and obeidence.  The door represented different layers of openings. First the open door to those who meet Jesus for the first time. Scripture says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20) Jesus is waiting patiently, knocking at the door for salvation, forgiveness, freedom and life. This door is for every person who enters. The second layer I felt was for the Church to open the door of breakthrough of more in the Spirit. Cast out strongholds and step into a deeper level of breakthrough in the Spirit. The door of humility and unity. At the end of the day we all enter the Kingdom through the same door, the door of the simple Gospel.

The third night was so much fun. The day before I went to Elvis Presley’s childhood home. What a humbling site of small beginnings. Our worship leader, Jon and I had a wonderful discussion on worship that evening. I had a vision of black and white guitar exploding into color as it played. The Lord spoke to me about a breakthrough in the area of worship for the region. It was one of those “doors” for breakthrough. Reviving old roots of music, which is so strong to this area, it is the “birthplace of America’s music” after all.   The key was to worship in unity, let everything go and simply worship with one voice. That morning in prayer time, Kyle felt the Lord wanted to release an impartation of worship. Wow. As we worshiped I felt angels with fire dropping on all those who were open to receive a deeper level for the heart of worship. It was a morning I will never forget. A new sound. 

The fourth day I woke up with a violent stomach attack. It wasn’t very fun, but I rested through it and took the day to read the Word and pray for a word to paint that evening. In the later afternoon, I felt the urge to go outside for fresh air. I didn’t realize the door locked behind me, so I found myself locked out of the house. Before I panicked I felt the Lord had a reason for me to be out there…I was forced to sit outside in His presence. It was the most beautiful time I’ve had in a long time. I look around at my surroundings, a yard full of towering oak trees. They were magificent and huge. The Lord spoke to me about the army of rising oaks. He spoke of the component of planting seeds in good soil for deep roots to run. With the heartbeat of discipleship emerging, the roots grow deep and can't be shaken. It was a sweet time where I was assured of the word He spoke to me a month earlier of “roots to run.” “Display His Splendor” was a painting that came out of simply being in the beauty of my surroundings and communicating with the Lord. God speaks to us in such amazing ways. He is very creative in connecting the dots.

Lastly, I painted “Pouring Out,” a picture of what I saw in the Spirit over the people of Tupelo and beyond. As they unite stronger and stronger with the simple Gospel, the Holy Spirit will keep pouring out His mighty living water. It was refreshing to paint. 

I am grateful for Tupelo! Humbled and thankful to be part of a small piece of a greater plan God is unfolding. Thank you Tupelo for the warm welcome and amazing time. May God continue the spark and ignite revival throughout the Church…