I grew up on a small farm in rural Maine; a quiet and sensitive introvert that felt more at home hanging out in the woods or with my barnyard animal friends. Creating was second nature; i drew, painted and sculpted what i loved. It was my "voice," what i could not express in words. My hands either created or collected things from nature; rocks & shells or butterflies. Yet, by junior high, and throughout high school, my creativity had somehow become suppressed. i focused rather on my studies in science/biology & individual sports, like gymnastics. Influenced to be like my parents - to work in the medical field - I began my college studies prepared to do so also. However, 2 years into my studies, a sudden surge of creativity bubbled up from deep within, as suppressed emotional pain & issues of the heart began to surface - they required a voice. And so the need for creative expression began to overtake my life. At a "career crossroads," I had to make a choice - which direction to take ? so i went with my heart, changed majors, & finally graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art (Dec, 1985).

I have been self-taught ever since I graduated from college. Six months later my life suddenly changed after an encounter with God ! I spent years traveling (even found my husband in South Africa !) We traveled, raised & homeschooled 3 wonderful boys (the last one is nearly finished high school - i am so happy :). Wearing many "hats" & having many "irons in the fire", it has been a challenge to find the time to develop as an artist, but it has been an exciting journey too !

I love studying & discovering new ways of working with oil, acrylics & other mediums. Much of my artwork on Etsy is an overflow of these studies as i continue to hone a unique artistic fingerprint & voice. Along the way, I have also developed skills as an artisan, creating modern minimal jewelry designs in 14K Gold & Silver. I am so grateful to God for the ability, the gift to create beautiful things that bless others !

“Let Your work appear to Your servants, & Your glory to their children...let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, & establish the work of our hands.” Psalm 90:16-17
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ABOUT MY ENCOUNTER WITH GOD:
In April 1986, right after graduation, I got on a plane with passport, backpack, & Eurail-train pass in order to travel Europe - in search of Truth & the reason for my existence. Though self-hate & depression wanted to take me to the grave, I knew that if I could find the Way to God, some stairway/doorway to Him, that I would find unconditional Love & perfect Peace that i knew was beyond the natural realm. Well, on July 21, 1986, I had an encounter with God that changed my life in a radical & wonderful way - i have never been the same !

In Edinburgh Scotland, at the very end of my 3 month journey, I found Him / He found me, or rather, He drew me to Himself; it was a divine appointment & encounter with the living God ! I had tried & tested many ways in order to connect with God; dabbling into New Age thought & practices, like TM (transcendental meditation), & searching out religious philosophies, however, I finally discovered the (one true) WAY to God, the TRUTH I'd been searching for; the LIFE/Love that I was desperate for...

I encountered the Truth in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I discovered that He had died on the cross for me ! That there was a huge chasm between me & God - it was called SIN. God's Son paid the ultimate price to bridge that GAP; to make The Way back to the Father ! That revelation that set me free; from guilt, shame & the heavy burden I carried from things I had done, as well as relationships that had torn me. The One Who had created me began to heal my broken heart & broken life as I yielded myself to Him, spending time with Him & in His Word. He also asked me to surrender my gifts & talents to Him, since being an “artist” was my sole identity.

Over the years, my relationship with Him continues to grow & deepen as I put my faith & trust in Him; allowing Him to be the center of my life. My identity is now found in Him, not in the “gift” itself. How freeing to have a relationship with My Creator God & Father; to discover who I am as a child of God through believing on Him; to have a true eternal purpose in all that I do !

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes on Him, shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, said, “I am the Way, the Truth & the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6

Romans 10: 9-10, “…if you confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord & believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, & with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. ”

If you have any questions or comments I would love to hear from you !

ArtAffections, Lisa :)