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.

 So this is a blog about something that hasn't happened yet. But I believe in my heart that it will. And I believe God said to me that if I write the beginning, He will write the ending.

Announcing a new mini series I painted in January.  I felt the Lord nudging me to start off the year with a picture of new beginnings, the hope of promises to come and to learn how to rest in Him through the waiting.

Ahhh...Valentine's Day, the sweetest day to celebrate love.  Who doesn't love a special gift? Try something a little different this year and give the gift of art.  

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

It's been a while since I last wrote.  I have been extremely busy with life, painting, being a Mom, and balancing it all. I wanted to update you all on some NEW things in my art world!

 I have been diligently carving out time to paint everyday at some point.  With three boys, a full schedule of sports, school, house-work and life, it's been an eye-opener to say the least.

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

I just got home last weekend from my latest trip back with reviveFLORIDA, Manatee County.  I wanted to quickly share with you the new paintings I did while I was down there and some neat stories of what the Lord was up to.  

Monday, March 14, 2016:

On my flight down, I usually sleep (leaving at 3am will do that), meditate on the Word, pray, and seek the Lord for some direction of what I am to visually create.  When I asked for a vision, He showed me a series of images.  First of oranges in a crate/basket, like they were just picked off the tree. Next an image of oranges being sliced and processed into juice.  The last image was of orange juice in a pitcher.  Of course my first thought was, am I just thinking this because I'm headed back to Florida?  But, I took note of it in my journal.  Questioning if it was me just imaging things or if it really was the Lord showing me something, I heard Him speak to me that it is about "The Process."  I kept hearing the word "process."  

When I arrived in Tampa and was picked up from the airport the conversation came up with my driver about if I had a vision to paint tonight.  So I described her the images I just mentioned.  She seemed excited and asked me if I knew about what happened that day with Kyle and the TTR team?  I said, no.  I was traveling all day and usually don't hear what's going on until I get to the church.  She went on to explain that Kyle and a small team was invited into Tropicana headquarters to meet about sharing the gospel in the main plant.  They were given a tour of the process in making Tropicana orange juice. Wow!  If that wasn't a confirmation from the Lord for me that there is something on this meeting.  Praise the Lord!  That night I painted "The Process" and Kyle's teaching was on the process of sanctificaton in Christ.  

I was so honoured to have my painting presented to the plant manager of Tropicana.  He said it will be hung up in the lobby of Tropicana head office.  Very cool.  It is also exciting that the Lord opened the doors for reviveFLORIDA to partner with Tropicana, welcomed into the company to train and equip Bible study groups to share the Gospel.  In almost every city with Time to Revive, we are seeing the favour of the Lord opening the marketplace to advance the Kingdom. Another amazing open door in Florida.  Praise God.  

Tuesday, March 15, 2016:

The next evening I painted, "Shine Your Light."  It was a fun expression to represent the teams going out on the streets sharing the light of Christ, just as fireflies glow in the dark.  

"It was God who said, "The light will shine in darkness."  He is the One Who made His light shine in our hearts. This brings us the light of knowing God's shining-greatness, which is seen in Christ's face." (2 Corinthians 4:6) 

The firefly is uniquely designed with a chemically induced light. The chemical glow is designed to attract other insects to them.  As believers we are all given the light of Christ within us. We are to go out into the darkness of the world and shine the love of Jesus everywhere we go. Our light will attract others to what we carry, the Father of Lights.

Wednesday, March 16, 2016:

All day I could sense there was a shift to take place in the spirit.  When I asked the Lord for a picture, all I could see was a diving board and Jesus saying, "Jump in."  The people need to jump all in.  Picture yourself on that diving board...are you just standing on the edge, watching?  Are you paralyzed with fear to jump, afraid to get wet?  Are you excited to take a running jump and splash in?  Spiritually, we are all at different stages of our "plunging in" with God.  To experience the fullness of all He has for us, we need to trust and jump all in.  The unknown is sometimes scary, but it is so refreshing and fun to "Plunge In".  

What in incredible night!  We could all feel a breakthrough in the spirit as we lifted our voices in worship as one, plunging in together.  There is power in the unified church.  Many different denominations under one roof, a blend of worship styles praising as one, instruments of all kind playing in harmony... I could feel the angels worshiping with us that night.  A tiny glimpse of what heaven will be like one day.  

Thursday, March 17, 2016:

Lots of action happened this day.  Kyle Martin, CEO of Time to Revive, and a team drove to Orlando to meet with pastors in the morning, in talks of Orlando being a potential next reviveFLORIDA city.  Then they were invited into two companies to share the Gospel with workers.  First a cabinet company and second a patio furniture company.  Praise the Lord for the marketplace opening doors.  They also were invited by a high school football team, where 34 young men accepted Christ!  (if you want to watch clips of the football team, click here to see an incredible video.  It's so awesome!)

As I prayed that day for a painting image, I felt the Lord tell me to paint a picture of hope, encouragement, something uplifting.  I had a list of visions from the week before in my journal...which I often keep and the Lord will confirm one of them on the day I need to paint.  I love how the Lord speaks confirmation to me throughout the day.  I went to Target with two ladies that afternoon to get a couple things.  One of the girls showed me a journal she was buying and when I saw the cover, it confirmed my painting...a picture of a hot air balloon was on it.  I had written that image down and was praying about a confirmation, the Lord showed up!  

"Hope Rising" was painted that night.  The teams were sent out that evening on the streets.  When I was almost done the painting, Roger Lee, director of IHOP Sarasota, came up to me and asked if I knew what they all saw leaving Orlando that morning. (He went along to Orlando meetings that morning)  I had no clue what he was talking about.  The group that went all saw a huge hot air balloon that day.  Just another awesome confirmation from the Lord.  The adventures of trusting and letting the Lord lead.  

Friday, March 18, 2016:

In the afternoon, I went with a couple of girls to grab a quick coffee at a quant little coffee shop.  The environment was so sweet.  Looking around I could see all the people deep in conversation.  I was with the discipleship coordinator, Ali, on the Time to Revive team.  We were talking briefly on the discipleship topic and I took a mental snapshot of the coffee shop, talking about "doing life" with people for discipleship.  It's as simple as going out for a coffee.

"Table Talk" is the painting I did that night, capturing what discipleship can look like.  What if we take the time once a week to sit down and just hang out with someone who wants to learn more about Jesus? 

“Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples.” (Matthew 9:10)

Jesus loved being face to face with his disciples and the sinners. He spent time with them. He looked beyond the culture and class to see people’s hearts. He loved them deeply. He did life with the ones who needed him most. Jesus handpicked twelve men to teach and demonstrate all His ways, so they would carry on the Gospel to the entire world. We have all been commissioned to go and make disciples. Jesus already modeled this through his life. Spending time with others face to face, to eat with them, hang out with them, and love others.

God has already prepared the table for us. He’s ahead of our steps. Through our obedience as believers, we must take the time to invest in relationships as we teach others about Jesus. Table talk can transform someone’s life and will change the world. Go and make disciples. Take the time for others.

Saturday, March 19, 2016:

Last night!  I felt this was the night to paint a visual of the revival wells overflowing with living waters.  As the community of Manatee County dug in for two weeks, the waters are rising, "Welling Up."  Personal revival, the Church reviving, continuing it on through discipleship, it will spill out into the community.  Thank you Manatee County for inviting us to run with you in what God is doing in this season.  May your well never run dry.  It was an incredible week!

Now I'm home concentrating on a collection of Spring paintings in my studio.  I am excited to have a 'Spring Art Show' in my hometown on April 12, 2016.  If you are near the Calgary area, come out to Cochrane and join me in a fun evening of art and conversation.  Bring friends, all are welcome.

April 12, 2016 | 6-10pm | Portofino Italian Ristorante | 205 - 1 St. E, Cochrane, AB

Bless you all this Easter Weekend!

All Glory to Him,

Mindi