Uphill idealist

The singer's voice sang out. "You ask me to be somebody I'm not - honeypot?" "Hear that?" She tripped. She rested. She shouted. The singer stood and she danced and she built lions in you. T.L. Eastman 2016 Black-out poetry project

In the waiting there are tears and confusion, but there are compassionately held tissue boxes, hot cups of coffee and long embraces. In the waiting there is worry over the unknown but then there is space to consider what else might be possible. In the waiting there are long nights of talking through brambles and burdens, but there are dawns of hope that take us by surprise and show up at the door. In the waiting there is waiting, and waiting and waiting, but there are caring prayers, calls, texts, and conversations unnumbered that full the seconds, minutes and days. In the waiting are moments we never want to live. But once we live them, we learn who we really are. In the waiting we are not alone. In the waiting we are loved. In the waiting we are called to live. In the waiting we know whatever happens, it was worth the wait. Art "Hearing" and poem by T.L. Eastman  Copyright 2015 

A woman's prerogative /mixed media by T.L. Eastman  For  Mel - Unexpected ties We try to walk the path alone. The ties that bind us don't always seem to be a blessing. These connections make us vulnerable to all kinds of impact. Sometimes we are so wrapped up in ties that we can't budge. But true ties that bind are not ones that make us captive, but hold us secure. True bonds give a space for new life to be the ground we walk upon. We should not walk the path alone . These ties are life lines - our rescue inhalers - and cool cups of water that make it possible to live. Life-giving ties support and release us to travel to the scary growing edges, and take us to the places we are not sure we can get to. We can’t walk the path alone. Our tapestry of ties is not tidy or exact. There are snags here and knots there. But this tapestry is a blanket that unexpectedly gives warmth to the chill of the autumn night, and just-right coolnes...

It's a work in progress, but I wanted to share a glimpse of what I've been working on for the last several months. The mural is located at First Lutheran Church in Jamestown NY and has been a community effort of the True Sisterhood Jamestown group . It is a rendition of the seasons of a year represented by a tree and landscape scene that changes within the piece.  It's to help depict the Sunday School theme of, "Growing and known in Christ.  Thank you for all your help team TS. We are 90% done! By Easter week this project will be complete! Stay tuned art friends...

This week the True Sisterhood group in Jamestown met and we tested out a art/prayer/project from my friend Lynne . We have also been reading Laura Truax's book "Undone" and had come to a place where this hands on project fit perfectly. We did our best to " Ring the bells that still ring. Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack - a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in." (Anthem by Leonard Cohen) . We broke clay pots. We wrestled with re-gluing the broken pieces. We laughed, encouraged, and cheered one another on. We rebuilt. We painted. Here are some pictures of our project where we embraced brokenness and discovered beauty. Balance Beautiful Mess Beauty from brokeness Works drying Definitely not perfect  Exposed rough spots Peace Rebuild Rest Sharp edges Superman's house - Fortress of Solitude  

A few months ago, I asked friends for pictures of hope for a mini "Ted" version talk on the importance of Art and Faith. Today I put together a few pieces to be submitted for Women Create's upcoming show for 2014. It is a juried show, so I have no guarantee that these pieces will be selected, however I'm happy to have the opportunity to show these pieces for consideration as well a hopeful that for someone they will shine some light, whimsy and joy into their day. Raven's Dawn A Woman's Vision Mother and Child

There are days that feel out of sync. They jumble, rustle, and rattle your center until all gravity is gone. The ravens of change caw and cause you to shudder as you walk along the path ahead. Are you really blazing a trail or just settling for a scenic route to avoid the potholes. But each day, I'm told, is brand new. And the restlessness can be a sign that something exciting and purposeful is growing here. That flock of black birds could be calling me to pay some mind to the dew on the grass and the harvest in the fields that surround me. Each step could be backwards, but there is movement. There is progress. Obstacles are being faced and filled in. Rome wasn't built in a day, and roots don't grow deep overnight. Renewal sometimes needs to be wrestled with, wandered around and waited for - until one day something just fits. There are days that feel out of sync - but this day something settled in with hope and will dig deep. The ravens told me so. M...

Hebrews 11 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.”   Image: Hope at my door by Katie Finch \ When I was a child, my mom had a collection of odd socks tossed into a basket in the laundry room. The mates to these socks were long gone, but she would hold on to them for dusting and various household chores. Sometimes, I’d ask my mom if I could have a few of the odd socks and I’d dig out scraps of fabric, buttons and yarn to create puppets out of those odds and ends. What one person might discard, another person with a little imagination can create opportunities for renewal and hope. This creative rethinking is something that applies not only to odd socks, but to the mission and ministry of the church. According to recent research, the top spir...

This year in our Shared Confirmation Program, we used Sparkhouse's re:form curriculum and DVDs, enjoyed a Autumn retreat together and integrated Art and Prayer elements to the expereince.The heart image below is a prayer process of weaving hopes and sorrows in a visual manner. This exercise was adapted from my friend Lynne Farrow's resource book:  Art Making and Metaphor Last Sunday, this group of youth, their parents and teaching team had an opportunity to meet at Lake Chautauqua Lutheran Center to share in a time of games, art making, food and fellowship. The banner project was begun by our Create Fellowship that meets on a monthly basis at First Lutheran Church. This group designed the banner, transferred this design on a canvas painters drop cloth by using masking tape as a guide, and began painting the banner. Acrylic paints (found at a Walmart or Michael's) were applied to the canvas to create the Pentecost themed design with wind, fir...

This week my teaching artist friend Renee and I had the privilege of returning to visit a Pre-K Classroom at Fletcher Elementary for a mural project with the Arts Council of  Chautauqua County .We are working on two board murals about 2X6 feet in size. One board is a life-cycle study and the other is the four seasons. Here is our progress thus far. The students that are working on this project are only 4 years old and there are about 17 students in each of the two classes. This kind of teaching keeps an instructor on their toes and gives us a good dose of cute as well. Next week, we'll return to wrap up the project with these two groups of pre-schoolers.  Isn't it amazing what little ones can accomplish with a little helping hand?

Project Life 365 Web Trailer from Project Life 365 on Vimeo . Project life 365 is: Daily Photos. Personal expression. Group interaction. Storytelling. Creative. Simple. Do-able. If you want to play along - join me and many others at: PROJECTLIFE365 Today's photos is a segment of a collage called "Something from nothing". I began this collage last April and re-found it this morning on contemplating the ideas of non-worry and trust. Consider the ravens, they do not sow or reap... Art and Photo by T.L. Eastman

Recently, I learned that on the liturgical calendar that "Mary's Assumption" or feast day is August 15th. About a week ago, I painted this watercolor of the Madonna as a sample  idea for my friend Archie's current writing project. Somehow it seems right that this  work "arrived" just in time for Mary's Day.  I hope this mixed media work brings some beauty to your heart. Thank you Mary for the gift of faithfulness and beauty you gave to the world. Grace and Peace, T

I was really little when I used to watch Bob Ross on PBS. My favorite TV shows at the time were Sesame Street, The Electric Company , Wonder Woman and The Joy of Painting . Bob's gentle voice and encouraging approach to painting mesmerized me. I was amazed at his ability to quickly create happy little streams, clouds, and trees. Gotta love the "happy little trees". One of the quotes that still sticks with me to this day is, "I believe every day is a good day when you paint.". He's right.   Now where did I put my oil paints? Have a good day!

Image found at Facebook for Treasure Lake . *Take a deep breath. Close your eyes for a moment and imagine a quiet pond, complete with singing frogs, tall reeds and plenty stones for skipping.  Pick up two stones. Think about two things you would pray for: One for the world and you personally.  Toss your stones to skip across the water and watch the ripples as a result of their impact. As the ripples grow, pray for God to work in the world and your life - and help you to act on making ripples for good.* ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- All week I've been thinking about this scripture text in order to prepare for a children's message this Sunday. I've considered talking things that "swamp" our lives with unnecessary fear, but I keep coming back to ripples. In this text, the disciples are afraid (when aren't they), Jesus is tired from teaching and ...

Image found at Fuse Visual Arts News Blog . Bruce Nauman . The True Artist Helps the World by Revealing Mystic Truths. (Window or Wall Sign). 1967. Neon with glass tubing suspension frame. The artist looks out to see what the world will speak - and listens carefully with a purpose. Focusing, showing and sharing the beauty of dew covered spiderwebs, the hardship of an elderly neighbor, and the babbling brook of possibility at each days dawn. The Monk is kneading bread that rose with the sun and clangs around the kitchen, drinking coffee, waiting for the bread to rise. Using his hands and heart he follows his instincts and mind to commune with God and invites others to come and break bread too. Early light breaks and the mystic takes note - but stays focused on dreams and wonder she's pondered all night. Birds chirp, seeming to ask what new thing has been revealed in the twilight. She smiles at their song, knowing her time to sing is coming soon. Copyright T.L.Eastman March 2012

"Revealed" Acrylic, Watercolor and Salt Painting 48"X12" For all the kind people that have asked me for prints, cards or access to my original paintings, the day has arrived! Go to my Personal Artist Profile with Fine Art America to view current art work that is for sale: Tara's Artist Profile.

A few days ago I came across a great resource to help frame Lent in an interactive and interesting way. World Vision is hosting a website throughout Lent to bring people together around the challenge and action associated with "Sacrifice". I'm in the process of encourage a local group of folks to also participate in the weekly question, take the weekly challenge and see where the adventure takes them (us)! Today's challenge was to post something about what sacrifice means or what kind of sacrifice you would like to make for Lent. I've been hard pressed to find something to choose for feeling there are too many options. So I decided to start there. This sketch is an attempt to let go and open up my hands in order to receive something new from God in the new 40 days of Lent. I'm still working on my short "practical" answer to what I'm giving up for Lent, but I feel a little lighter for throwing all those possibilities out of my hands - to pray for...

Creative Arts of Women of Western NY is doing a great job of jazzing up life by lifting up women artists! Coming on March 31st, the community of Jamestown, NY will be celebrating SWAN day (Support Women's Art Now) I'm honored to have one of my paintings in this wonderful show and to be featured in today's Women Create blog segment. My friend and amazing photographer Heather Mencer took the photos of me for an additional photo flag book that is in the works of being compiled for this upcoming Art Show. Thanks for supporting the arts - they have a way of jazzing things up don't they?

February 2012, Creative Arts of Women of Western NY will be holding a juried exhibit to celebrate the 5th Annual SWAN - Support Women Artists Now! I've submitted the following three painting to be considered for this upcoming exhibit - Open wide the window of my soul Leo's Pretty Tree and my newest painting - Raven's Dawn Acrylic/Watercolor on canvas. To view more images of my paintings, visit Tara Lamont Eastman Art/Mural Booking. At a certain point he (Poe) was very popular, from THE RAVEN. He was never fully appreciated, never made the money, and you know he was looked upon with admiration by some people, but also as an oddball. But that was his point. John Astin Read more: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/raven.html#ixzz1i04SSJwo

So here's the thing. According to "researching storyteller" Brene Brown (Visit her webpage at: www.brenebrown.com) - vulnerability is an important key to living our lives in the place of wholeheartedness. This evening I took twenty minutes to watch her TED presentation. One: she is so engaging that the talk seemed to fly by. Two: The more I listened, the more my heart pounded a little harder - like the words were making something deep inside me sit up and take notice. Three: the topics of vulnerability and worth are very connected, but often very hard to dig deep and wrestle with. Four: I think I have some wrestling ahead of me. Five: The struggle for perfection, is a trap that I sometimes get caught in. Here is Brene's TED talk. Make a cup of tea or coffee and really sit down and listen. I think you're heart may sit up and heed her challenge too! This graphic is a part of her program to challenge folks to live wholeheartedly. I love the way it's presented as...