A little about my artist-self

      For years, I have wanted to create an art blog so that I could share one of my favorite pastimes to all who are interested. My passion for art goes past the colors, shapes, and textures used to create a masterpiece. It stems from the raw emotions that can be fully expressed in any given piece of art.
      As an artist, I have spent many hours in my studio corner pouring my heart onto canvas. I find peace in its beauty even if it is only seen as beautiful, to me. And that is what I truly love about it. Art can be anything you want it to be. Perfection is your masterpiece when you are finished. Perfection is what YOU make it to be, and each artist applies it differently.
      In the art that you will see throughout my blog, you will find that most of it stems from an abstract base. Abstract art is defined as an art that seeks to break away from the traditional representation of physical objects. Furthermore, it explores the relationships of forms and colors. (http://dictionary.reference.com)
     When I was little, I was often encouraged by my parents and grandmother to paint and draw. This usually resulted in a random collage of colors that were portrayed on a soggy piece of paper that reflected my inability or undesirable want to stop painting. As funny as it sounds, I still view my artwork in the same fashion, however, it no longer results in a sloppy mess at the end. :) My inability to stop painting has grown stronger over the years and I still do use random collages of colors. The results are just a bit more extreme than that of my 5 year-old artist-self.
      Also, not all of my art is based on my pure imagination. I often take ideas from random pictures or pieces of art that I really enjoy. I enjoy taking those ideas and styles and transforming them into something that expresses me. I find pride in knowing that I have much much more to learn and enjoy the silent teaching I get through learning from other artist's work.
      Please, feel free to send me messages with your thoughts and any ideas pertaining to my art. Thank you for your time and I look forward to sharing my artwork with you!
 
 Blessings,
          Anniegirl

Dare To Be You: There's Enough Greatness for All of Us.

   
                                 So why has greatness become one of our biggest competitions?

     Throughout my life I have been knocked down by one discouraging blow after another. I have allowed myself to listen to the voices around me that speak hurt and pain. And for the longest time I refused to admit that those words spoken to me have cut me deep. I wanted to believe that I was stronger than the lies. And I thought that by telling myself I was stronger, over and over again, I would eventually begin to feel that way too. But I didn't. The words kept cutting and I kept hurting. But then I realized something. I realized that a lot of the pain I was feeling was my own doing.
I put the blame on the person with the voice, when in reality the blame rested solely on my shoulders. See, I knew that the words spat at me were spoken in confusion and hurt. Yes, they were mean. But it was I who allowed them to resonate within me.
     And I was (ever so bluntly) reminded of a part of me I had easily forgotten. My worth. I remembered that my worth is not something that can be defined by one hateful word after another; nor can it be defined by the praising ones. My worth can only be defined by me and what I choose to see.

I choose to see the truth.

I am the child of the King. I am the daughter of a Father who loves with undignified passion. A Father who created me in His image because He said I was WORTHY ENOUGH.

YOU are great because you were born great. Not because of your accomplishments or lack there of, but because you are who God created YOU to be.

How much stronger could our nation be if we stopped competing for greatness with those around us and started adding to it?

There's enough greatness to go around.

"Fierce and Free"

The eagle is one the largest birds that is able to take flight. It's wing span can reach up to seven feet and it flies fierce and strong.....But it does so with grace. Riding on the waves of the wind. They are fierce. They are strong. They are free.

     I want to be like that. Throughout life, there will be constants. Constant encouragement and constant discouragement. I think it's interesting that so many of us are quick to notice when we are brought down by the people around us. Whether it is a mean word, a stale glance, or even just the subtleness of being ignored, it is so easy for us to point out the negatives we feel from friends, family, and strangers. Unfortunately, a lot of the time we neglect to see that most of that negativity we so simply blame on those surrounding us, is actually an unconscious negativity we put on ourselves.

     As an athlete, it is easy for me to allow myself to feel discouraged. Often times I am told that my chances of making it to the pro's are slim to none......wait.....is that really true? Okay, so maybe I've only been subject to that a handful of times at most. But, I fall prey to the idea of it on a daily basis. Because it is what I subject MYSELF to and I place the blame on a person who may have just passed by without even seeing me or maybe had a bad day and didn't feel like talking. It's selfish of me really. God created me to be fierce, strong and free. So why is it so hard to believe I can be that?

The eagle is one of the largest birds that is able to take flight. It beat the odds. Gliding through the clouds without a fear in the world. Enjoying the wind and looking beautiful in the process. They represent freedom and grace.

So, that's my goal. To be fierce, strong, CONFIDENT, and free. To not let the "odds" bring me down, but to set a new record. To spread out my wings like an eagle and claim the sky.

Dream Big!

     Goodness gracious, it's been too long!  2014 started off with me running and I haven't slowed down since! God's glory is so rich and throughout this next year it's only going to grow that much stronger! Today's painting that I would like to share is titled "Lamp Unto My Feet." I took on this project for one of my best friend's, Jacob Miner's, birthday a little while back.
     One of my favorite conversations to have with friends, family.......and complete strangers, is about our dreams. I think that it is super important for us to talk about our goals and aspirations. Sometimes our dreams can feel a little far-fetched so we unconsciously lower our bar of expectation so that it feels a bit more "reachable". I admit, I definitely have fallen under that category many a time. But here's the cool part......you ready?.........God wants us to dream big because HE dreams big, and through him we can do ALL Things. So, with that said, let's take a look at the bar we've mentally lowered. And let's put that back on the top notch, shall we?
     Ever since I was a little girl, I've had ideas of who I wanted to be when I grew up. I went through the phases of wanting to be a princess, to a zoo-keeper, to a cowgirl, to who knows what else. But when I hit the age of 10, I knew that I wanted to play soccer professionally. Since then, that dream has grown and grown and continues to grow. Now here's the tricky part. There's this little seed of doubt that continues to try and put my bar back on the lowest level. Whether it's through people saying that the chances of me making it to the big leagues are slim, through financial scares, or through that growling voice in the back of my head (I like to mentally make it growl so I know it's of the enemy :p) saying that maybe I'm not worthy enough, that seed tries to plant itself right smack-dab in the middle of my dreams............But it's ONLY a seed.....so I flick it away and dream on.
     Now, this year is going to bring crazy adventures for all of us. It's filled with roller coasters varying from It's a Small World to Splash Mountain to California Screamin'. But no matter how crazy, scary, or exciting it may be, all of it is important to God. YOUR dream is important to Him. So don't lower your bar, don't put your expectations on a more "Reachable" level. Go out and conquer the world! I encourage you to find someone you feel comfortable talking to, whether its a family member, friend, or a complete stranger (Make a new friend!), and tell them about your dreams because you are WORTHY enough to reach them.
     Also, I mentioned briefly how when I was little I wanted to be a princess. That "outlandish" dream came true, because I am the daughter of the King, who loves me and is proud of me. He is my leader and no matter what is thrown my way, I know I can do what ever I set my mind to.

Blessings,
Anniegirl <3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Inspiration

     I did this painting about a year ago, based off of a few pieces I had seen in the past. You might have seen this design before and I think that is what makes this piece so cool. Artists in any "genre"are inspired by something. The best artists are the ones who are willing to learn from those around them.
     When I was little (still in the "Coloring Books/ Color by Number" phase) I always got mad when my little buddies would copy my drawings. Which is ironic seeing as we were drawing out of coloring books. For the longest time, I didn't like that people were using my ideas. However, as time went on and I got older, I began to realize something. Every artist bases their ideas off of something or someone. It's how we learn and grow.
     The painting shown below is my reminder that IT'S OK. It's ok to base your ideas off of someone else. To be proud of something that might not have necessarily been completely original or completely yours. A wise person once told me that as long as you paint with a purpose and make it your own, there is nothing to fear.

Prophetic Art

     This picture was taken about three years ago during a church conference. I was asked to do prophetic art during the worship at the beginning.
     Prophetic art is one of my favorite forms of painting. For those of you who don't know what it is, it is a form of worship. It allows me to express my love and passion for Jesus Christ. As I have mentioned before, art allows me to express myself....Well prophetic art allows me to express the Lord. Sometimes during worship, I get distinct pictures/images in my head. So in the moment, I either create a sketch of it or I paint it. After worship when the painting is finished I usually give it to one of the people who are there. It's amazing being able to tell someone that the painting was created for them; being able to explain to them the meaning behind the piece.
     The most exciting part, however, is hearing their story. Every single time I have given someone a painting, I get to hear their story of how my picture relates to their life. It's this beautiful moment where I get to see a complete stranger's passion and heart. I get to build a relationship with them and share the love of God, reminding them that they are a gift and a treasure. Every picture means a new and unique experience with the person I get to share it with, which is why it is one of my favorite forms of art and worship.
   Blessings,
       Anniegirl

Photo credit goes to my older brother, Jordan Tunstill, who is a phenomenal photographer!

"Identity"

 

"Identity" - I am Annie. I am powerfully and wonderfully made. I will stand out in a crowd because I am not like anyone else. Once you meet me, you will never forget me. I will love you fiercely because that is how I have been loved. I am not scared and I do not answer to fear. The Lord is my shepherd. I strive for the best and usually get it. I laugh a lot, get used to it, there's enough to go around. I am a champion. Blessed beyond measure. I am Annie.

      I love this painting. Vaguely based off of a cover picture I saw from the show Wicked, I created something way more personal and special to me. Throughout my life I have constantly struggled with identity. Coming from a family full of love and adoration this is something that took me by surprise. However, instead of letting it rule my life I have allowed it to help me become the strong person I am today. Because of that, I am growing more confident in who I am, every day. No longer trying to fit in, I have instead decided to be the real me in every aspect of my life.

      This painting stands for identity. Although you cannot read the words printed on the face, it says, "I am wonderfully and powerfully made". There is much power found in that. Often times you hear the typical speech about how everyone is special and unique. But how many of us actually believe it? 

      Art museums are filled with beautiful paintings, sculptures, and designs. Each one is different and each one is significant in a different sort of way. Set out on display, the paintings are open for anyone to come and see. Artists willingly put their art on display in an attempt to share their life work with the world. Would you ever walk up to a famous artist and tell them that their art was ugly? If you were to have a conversation with da Vinci, would you tell him that the Mona Lisa was flawed? Well that is what people do daily. God created each of us differently, just like every piece of art you would see in a museum. When you compare yourself to those around you, or fear what people might think of your appearance, you are also judging the artwork of God. So, I encourage you to be you. The wonderfully amazing, beautifully created, and shinging masterpiece of the Lord. Oh and don't forget, you are fiercely loved.
    Blessings,
        Anniegirl

"Tiger Eye"

      I created this piece during spring break (2013). I was handed down the canvas from my grandmother who had recently blessed me with a replenishing of my art supplies. Which was extremely helpful seeing as I was entering the rationing phase of my ever-decreasing acrylics supply. It took me two weeks to settle on an idea and I repainted the canvas at least three times in the process. This was quite frustrating so I took a break for a few days and gave it some much needed space.  Instead, I allowed my focus to be on smaller things, like my sketch book, for example. One day I began to doodle an eye which turned into a growing picture with patterns and designs. After much deliberation, I decided this was exactly what I wanted to put on the huge blank canvas that was slowly beginning to collect dust. It took me all day to paint but it was well worth it.

      What I love about this painting, is its originality. It wasn't based off of anything I might have seen on the internet. It was solely created by my imagination. Also, after finishing it, I realized that it could be whatever you wanted it to be. I showed it to many of my friends and family and asked them what they saw and each one of them it differently.
      I see it as a tiger's eye. A tiger is such a beautiful animal. The pattern of its fur is magnificent and I enjoyed recreating it. The clouds above it, to me, represent its freedom to fly and be free.

What do you see?
Also,There are a few things that are hidden throughout the picture. Can you find them?

    Blessings,
        Anniegirl

"Mark of the Lion" - Behind the Title

      Many of you might be curious as to why I chose "Mark of the Lion" as the title. There are a few reasons behind the name choice. In the bible, The lion signifies might and royalty. It is often found that the Lord is described to have the mighty roar of a lion. In everything I see, I see the masterpiece of God. His glory and power shines in everything. It was He who created me and my talents. I walk in His love and beauty. The mark of the Lion.
      "Untamed" is the painting shown on the right. It is one of the pieces I did over the summer while I was teaching an art class for my church's annual worship camp. It is easily one of my favorites.
   Blessings,
       Anniegirl