Immerse Yourself in Creativity

Lisa Anne Tindal, a non-profit executive director by day, helps women who are homeless, individuals affected by mental illness and people who are struggling with suicide as a possible solution for themselves or someone they love. Lisa Anne is mom to three adults and a Labrador and wife to a patient man who calls her an “enigma wrapped in a riddle”. The time spent in the quiet escape of painting is all solace and a gift of God’s grace and even more graciously unexpected is the chance to conjure up hope for others occasionally.

What do you do and how can I find it?

My painting technique is varied, mostly mixed media acrylic or oils and decoupaged old hymnal page backgrounds occasionally. I have what has been called an “angel ministry”, paintings of angelic forms emoting peace, joy, comfort. I also paint bright and messy pieces or landscapes of wide open spaces.

Samples of art as well as pieces available for purchase can be seen at http://ltcreative.blog. I paint upon commission and can be contacted through my blog site or at lisanne_39@yahoo.com

How did you get started?

I painted in high school and with a scholarship to college; but, abandoned it when life and detours required my attention.
I returned to painting as an “empty nester”. My son began college and my daughter married her high school sweetheart. I promptly converted her bedroom to my studio and proved everyone wrong, the ones who said I’d be a mess without my children!

What is the coolest story you have about doing what you do?

A young newlywed couple were visiting family in our small SC town before returning to Portland, Oregon. They stopped by the local shop that sells some of my art and purchased a painting I’d done on an old reclaimed cabinet door. The piece was called “Psalm 23”, its colors subtle, a meadow under a wide sky. I received a thank you note from the wife. She said she was not “religious” yet she was drawn to the piece because it calmed her and she planned to hang it over their bed. I can’t help but believe that she sensed God’s peace in the painting. I was so moved that she took the time to write me!

Who (or what) are the biggest inspirations behind your work?

I’m inspired by God and all of creation and the fact that I believe He made me to create. I’m so thankful He brought me back to its enjoyment.  I’ve always loved Andrew Wyeth, the subtle emotion of his art as well as the stories conveyed. I love Georgia O’Keefe because of the sense of freedom and abandonment in her work, the shapes and colors cause a pause, ignite the imagination.

If you could give someone advice who is doing what you are doing, what would it be?

I’d give the advice I’m giving myself, some days more than others. Immerse yourself in the creativity your soul says you were created for. Be certain of it being God’s precious gift to you. Remember not to get lost in the seeking to be noticed, to replicate the craft of another or to seek acclaim. Cling tightly to the simple serenity of continuing, continuing to do the thing you were made to do, this way your art will be authentic, will be a true representation of God through your hands.