Life is indeed a sacred journey.  

​It is a journey of twist + turns, wins + losses, births + deaths, pain + joy, tragedy + celebration--sometimes all at the same time.  About this time three years ago my life was dramatically interrupted with the death of my child who was born prematurely. With that interruption came new questions + a new understanding of myself. With that interruption came a deeper appreciation for the gift of life + a desire not to merely survive but to thrive-- honoring the life of AJ + the gift of her existence.
I found myself naming out loud with certainty + clarity that I was not called to ministry within the institution of the church as a pastor, which I had been doing for almost 10 years. Based on this awakening, I mustered up the courage to be the artist I'd always been—not being satisfied with only wondering about being an artist in my imagination, but to, in practice, live that out as a matter of faith, to be an artist professionally as a sense of calling that I had come to understand in new ways. I’d always pay close attention to my longings and hold my vision for LAR Art Studio loosely even as it manifested into reality, so that they could have room to breathe + expand in ways I had yet to even imagine.
 
A while back, Jacob Breeze (Pastor and artist of Holy Family HTX), shared with me his vision for a new church he was planting in East Downtown HTX + how he imagined that the arts would be an important part of the life of the Holy Family community. The vision was intriguing + beautiful. So over the next couple of months I continued to pay attention, imagine, share some of my visions for LAR Art Studio with all who asked about it, and I spoke honestly about my understanding of my vocation +, eventually, co-created with Jacob a partnership between Holy Family HTX + LAR Art Studio (me) that I am delighted to be able to share with you.

I am now serving as the Artist In Residence with Holy Family HTX.

Friends, I'm excited to share in life's unfolding with such a dope community of people, as I continue to build LAR Art Studio to be all that I envision it will be.  

I'm grateful, of course a bundle of nerves, still living with the questions, trusting the unfolding sacred journey of life as I continue to hold it all loosely + looking forward to co-creating some beauty in HTX with Jacob Breeze + Holy Family HTX + other artists in HTX!

MY WORK AMONG THE COMMUNITY WILL BE:
I will provide time for artists to reflect, exhibit and/or create work.
As I continue to research + study the "fragile friendship" between faith and the arts, I will guide Holy Family HTX into an intentional theological study and reflection on the “fragile friendship” between faith and the arts.

BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR:
1. Monthly Art as Prayer Gatherings:
Opportunities for the community to gather around the table, creating space for art to happen once a month in my studio!

2. A Holy Family Artists Community: I will be connecting, listening to, supporting, walking with, and encouraging artists within the community. She will make space for exhibitions, collaborations, and ways for artists in the community to offer whatever gifts they are stirred to offer that will contribute to the life of Holy Family + the City of Houston.

3. I will help Holy Family support the arts/artists within East Downtown/the neighborhood, making the church aware of ways we can patronize the arts with our presence, resources, and active interest in the work of arts at Holy Family.

4. Finally, I've been commissioned to create nine MASSIVE art pieces that will serve as liturgical paraments. 

It's Small Business Saturday, friends!

To say "thank you" for supporting me as I pursue my vocational goals + help spread the gift of creativity this holiday season--
I'm offering a 10% discount on all listed 2017 workshops in my studio from now until 12/16/16. Enter the code GIFTOFCREATIVITY

Gift someone you love or yourself with an evening of creativity + art making in a professional studio where you will learn art making skills that will last a lifetime + have FUN in the process.

When purchasing let me know if you need a specially wrapped gift certificate to place under the Christmas tree or in a stocking. So fun!

Click HERE to view the 2017 workshop list. 

Looking forward to hosting you or a loved one at my art table!

"All of the places of our lives are sanctuaries; some of them just happen to have steeples. And all of the people in our lives are saints; it is just that some of them have day jobs and most will never have feast days named for them."
— Robert Benson




​Last Saturday I hosted an All Saints Encaustic + Transfer workshop in Studio D, where brave hearts came to the table to remember people whom they love and/or impacted their life in profound ways through artmaking. 

Sacred space.

Photo transfers on any surface is a test of patience and commitment, especially on wax. But each person was committed to the process & I got a glimpse of the deep affection they had for the one they were honoring in their artmaking through the care, intention, attention & creativity they gave their piece. 

It was a beautiful space. 

Being able to teach + guide people in the creative process is a gift. To watch as people take a blank canvase + idea, + create art where there was once nothing is the most amazing experience to me. I am constantly blown away by the process + the unique beauty of each person that sits at the table. Their willingness to dive wholeheartedly into a new art medium, stretching their ability to see what they are capable of, + trusting the process... is itself inspirational. I always leave the space knowing I am a better artist because of each one of the people who decided to join me at the table. 

Grateful for it all.

I look forward to the next workshop on Saturday, December 3, Journey Into Advent: Encaustic + Transfer workshop & what big magic awaits.