Vibrant Life Studio:

Consider how the Lilies Grow

2010-04-27T19:54:00.003-04:00

"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you the truth, not even Solomon in all his splendor, was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith." Luke 12:27-28

A few weeks ago I was experiencing some anger and frustration towards God. I had prayed to sell our house and to be able to live in a specific house. We had a buyer for our current house, and the new house we had our eye on was about to go on the market. Everything seemed to be a "YES". Suddenly, the other family was staying in their home and our buyers could not get financing. The dream was over and I was left feeling frustrated and worried. Thankfully I did not stay in that frame of mind. As I was praying I was reminded of the verse in Luke and how God takes care of those who love him.
I am so thankful that God takes care of me. Right now as I am experiencing times of uncertainty it is so encouraging to think about how God has always been taking care of me throughout my life. If he takes care of some of the smallest things with such care and love surely he wants to take care of me also.

Abby Hahn

2010-02-01T14:54:00.004-05:00

Abby Hahn, acrylic on canvas, 24x36"

After the passing of a well-loved furry family member I decided to try my hand at a pet portrait. People and animals have always been particularly challenging for me, but since this animal was a special part of our family, I felt this would be a good opportunity to try something out of the ordinary. Every living thing has a unique personality, but capturing that personality is even more of a challenge when the subject of the portrait is your sister's dog.
I gave this portrait to my sister for Christmas and the look on her face when she saw the picture was worth it. I am very pleased with the final product, not only will the painting serve as a memorial to a special friend but it will also remind me to try some things that are out of my comfort zone.

Work on Display at Carmel Family Care

2009-09-29T16:37:00.006-04:00

Spring Flowers, Green acrylic and marker on wood

Bird acrylic and paper on masonite

New and familiar favorites are now on display at Carmel Family Care at 12289 Hancock Street in Carmel, Indiana. Many of the large paintings on display were created during live performances. The small collage pieces were created from my home studio. All work on display is for sale. Please contact me for more information.

Storytelling with Art With a Heart

2009-02-21T12:36:00.005-05:00

Khabir Shareef and I have joined forces with Art With a Heart to create a storytelling program. Last week we performed The Crane Wife from the book, Think Rather of Zebra for four groups of junior high students at The Christel House Academy in Indianapolis. During each twenty minute performance Khabir told the story through words, while I told the story through paint. At the end of each session we talked to the students about the moral of the story and the process of presenting the story. This program is designed to encourage students to work together and to inspire them to tap into their own creative potential through storytelling and art. We had a wonderful time during the performance and are looking forward to our next gig at Andrew J. Brown Academy next week.

Our Journey

2008-11-24T14:15:00.004-05:00

Last weekend I was reunited with the band to paint at ICYC in Anderson, IN. It had been quite a while since I last painted with them and my first time up on stage I was feeling anxious about what I was going to create. Thankfully, 1000 Generations was the worship band for the week, so I had plenty of time to work through the process. As I painted more and more aspects of the piece came together, and the more I painted the more I felt at peace about what was landing on the canvas.
After the second performance of the weekend, I started to understand that this painting is about our journey with Jesus. The first night a bright background was laid down that filled the canvas with warm colors, this represents our first moments with Christ. Then a landscape emerged similar to a desert with an abandoned city, and dark holes, this depicts the lonely places in our life and the obstacles that we are bound to face. Thankfully, the painting didn't stop at that point; by the final morning of worship, I added two white flowers. The flowers are a reminder that no matter what we are going through, we are still able to grow and flourish as the individuals we are created to be because Jesus knows us and understands every struggle we face. He allows us to grow in any circumstance.

Created to...

2008-11-10T18:46:00.007-05:00

"Created to..." acrylic and charcoal on canvas, 30x40"

Last night I was privileged to paint during the Spirit and Place Festival event, "Imagining Creation: A Spiritual Mandate for Creation Care". If you examine my work it's easy to see my fascination to creation, but before the event I had to sit down and really evaluate why I so often paint images that are drawn from nature. When I am able to sit or explore in nature I am often struck by the greatness of God and the beauty that he made for us. I believe that creation connects us closer to God, and one of the things God requires of us is to care for creation. In this piece, I hope that you will see a human connection to nature and our obligation to care for it.

Imagining Creation

2008-11-05T12:13:00.001-05:00

Sunday, November 9th come out to the American Cabaret Theater to participate in an open forum about creation care. The event is from 6-9 PM and is open to the public as part of the Indianapolis Spirit and Place Festival. During the event I will be painting while the discussion is taking place and while your questions are projected on the large screens via text messaging.

Heritage Auction

2008-10-03T16:51:00.004-04:00

Saturday, October 4th Heritage Christian School will be hosting "New York, New York" an auction benefiting the Parent Teacher Fellowship. The above painting, "Jellies" will be up for bidding among many other exciting items at this year's auction. If you are interested in more information go to: http://www.heritagechristian.net

I Need You so Much Closer

2008-07-21T15:38:00.003-04:00

On July 10th my husband and I celebrated our 4th anniversary. I was listening to Death Cab for Cutie and the song Transatlanticism came on as I was trying to figure out what I could do to let him know how much I love and appreciate him. As I listened to the song, I realized that this song described exactly how I feel about my wonderful man. It's only been four years, but as the song repeats "I need you (him) so much closer" -- even though we know one another more than anyone else knows us, I am so glad that I know that there is more to be revealed in the years to come.

IMC Gallery Pics

2008-01-11T11:31:00.000-05:00

My first gallery show was a complete success. I am so thankful for the opportunity to show my work in a gallery downtown and to have so many friends and family memebers come out and support me. I can't wait to see what will happen next with my art.

After the show I was able to pose by a couple pieces to help remember the night.

Here's a view of what the gallery looked like at it's busiest. Thank you to all my friends, family, and everyone who made it out.

Some of my work was displayed on easels. Amazingly, they only fell over once with all the kids around.

The rest of my work was securely hung on the brick wall.

Before she was Grandma: Remembering Ann (Woytowich) Sinders

2007-12-24T10:10:00.000-05:00

The following images are collage pieces I created that highlight my grandma Sinders life. About a month ago, my sister brought over a sack of pictures, clippings and letters that belonged to our grandmother. As we looked through these pictures we learned that we had an adventerous grandma who enjoyed life and was willing to sacrafice herself for the good of others through her service in WWII. I hope these pieces will allow others to take a glimpse into history and the wonderful role women played to ensure a better future for us all. Thanks Grandma...

"Army Life" acrylic and mixed media on wood, 9x12"

"Riding Horses" acrylic and mixed media on wood, 9x12"

"Family Life" acrylic and mixed media on wood, 9x12"

"When Woytowich Became Sinders" acrylic and mixed media on wood, 9x12"

"Camp Upton" acrylic and mixed media on wood, 12x12"

The Branch of Jesse

2007-12-12T12:08:00.000-05:00

This painting was originally created at a show in Minnesota. I did not sell this piece after the show, and naturally this made me question my ability and decision to be an artist. I have had weeks of healing from what felt like rejection and now understand that my worth is not in what I create, but in the reason I create. I am an artist because I was made to be an artist, not because of anything that I have done. The inspiration for this painting comes from Isaiah 11. This chapter is about the Branch from Jesse (a direct descendent of Jesus), and it says that this branch will come up from a stump in the ground...basically life is growing from something that is dead. In my painting, I represented this with the broken buildings in the background. Even in the midst of lifelessness, new life is growing. As the chapter goes on it explains that the branches of the tree will extend across all nations and it will cover over us - it is our banner and our sign of peace in the roughest and most deserted times in our life. I am so thankful for Jesus and the peace and comfort that he extends over me in my times of despair.

IMC Gallery Preview

2007-12-06T10:50:00.000-05:00

Here's a few pieces I have been working on that will be on display at the IMC Gallery in January.

"A view from below" acrylic and pastel on canvas, 15x30"

"Pink & Orange Sea Plants" acrylic and pastel on canvas, 30x40"

"Eternal Pleasures" acrylic on canvas, 24x36", 1000 Generations live painting, Huntington University

"The Rose Family" acrylic and marker on canvas, 18x24"

Mark your Calendars

2007-11-03T10:38:00.000-04:00

I am thrilled to announce that I will be exhibiting my work at the Indy Metro Gallery @ 425 Mass. Ave. on January 4th! Plan to see my colorful landscape and collage pieces as well as work inspired from my newest obsession - the ocean. Mark your calendars, hope I will see you all on the 4th.

Views from the Stage

2007-10-25T17:19:00.001-04:00

If you are ever at a 1000 Generations show, this is the view you will typically see of me on stage. These pictures were taken at the Georgetown Kentucky show in August. I often do not know what I'm going to paint until right before the show starts and this show was one of those cases. Thankfully the end result was just right, and this was affirmed through the man who bought the painting. I'm not sure if this painting meant anything to anyone else at that show, but I am certain that it was just what he needed to see and hear.

Studio Paintings

2007-10-19T16:55:00.001-04:00

"It Grew and Became a Tree and the Birds of the Air Perched in it's Branches" acrylic, paper, and oil pastel on canvas, 24x36" SOLD

"Shalam, Shalama, Shalom" acrylic on canvas, 15x30" SOLD

"30,60, or 100 xs More" acrylic on canvas, 16x20" $285 (framed)

"Chrissy's Flower Garden" acrylic and paper on canvas, 30x40" SOLD

"Flying Kites" acrylic and oil pastel on masonite, NFS

1000 Generations Live Paintings

2007-10-19T15:07:00.001-04:00

"The Trumpet Call" created in Georgetown, KY, inspired from Isaiah 58:11 "I will guide you always; he will satisify your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." SOLD

"The City no Longer Deserted" created in Sheridan, IN, inspired from Isaiah 62 -- In this chapter, God is seeking after a once deserted city. As I was reading through this, I received an image of a city in a blackout. In this painting, the lights are just starting to come back on. Lately I've been learning that when you come to God he provides in ways much greater than I could ever imagine. So not only are the lights in the buildings coming on, but the stars are bursting with light and the flowers are glowing like torches to light up the sky. "They will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord; and you will be called Sought After, the City No Longer Deserted. " Isa. 62:12 SOLD

"I Am who I Am", created at University of the Cumberlands, Williamsburg, KY, inspired from Exodus 3, Isaiah 44, and John 10 -- This painting is unique because I was able to work on it during five sessions at the university. After each session, this painting evolved into something different and as the week went on, the meaning behind this piece also changed with the message of the week. The original inspiration came from the idea of a person writing the name of the Lord on their hand. I liked the idea of this and began to research names of the Lord and found "I Am who I Am". I had heard the "I Am" reference before, but never with the addition of "who I Am". This bold phrase stuck with me and I couldn't wait for the chance to complete this image on stage, but for several shows, I ended up painting something else. Finially the time came for me to create this piece where through the speaker at U of the Cumberlands I was able to really put this all together. In John 10: 27, 28 it says: "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand." Even though we are broken and we sometimes feel ruined like the buildings in the background, God is still with us, and he still wants to use us despite our brokenness. When we call on him, he comes to us with power and authority to do what he calls us to do. Even if it seems beyond our capabilities, God will come and he will provide for us more than we could ask for. SOLD

"Living Lights" created in Ankeny IA, and Indpls, IN -- Ephesians 5, This chapter is all about darkness and light. It explains that all of us were once darkness, but once we receive Jesus we become illuminated and full of light. Becuase of Christ in us, we then have the power to burst light into all mankind. So, not only are my figures full of light, but the sky is starting to burst with light as well. In vs. 14 it says: "Wake up oh sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." That is my hope, that we would all transform into vibrant children of light. IA version: SOLD, Indpls. version: $150

"Openings of Light and Life" created in Indpls, IN -- Isaiah 55: This painting represents my decision to quit trusting in myself and to follow after God. $150

Welcome to my inner thoughts and prayers. As you look around I hope you will sense the joy and wonder I feel everytime I pick up my paintbrush.

2007-10-17T10:18:00.000-04:00