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This weekend at MLA Creative weekend has been life changing.  I went from a mom who has never painted anything other than in elementary school to a painter.  I painted some beautiful paintings! I have followed @melissalyonsart on her inspiring life’s journey, just watching her grow and change as an artist.   She is so full of life and encouragement.  God’s goodness shines through her and her work.   When she started creative weekends in Cali it was too far and I had babies.  When she moved to S.C. I had more babies and excuses.  I was finally ready to commit in 2020 and planned on going...

I’ve known Jesus since I can remember but I had found myself in a very lukewarm place with my faith in the years leading up to 2020. With tumultuous times I found my faith so watered down it couldn’t sustain me against the fear and doubt that had crept in.  When I stumbled across Melissa Lyons ( Art)  on Instagram I was searching for faithful inspiration. Examples of living boldly with hope, joy and truth in the midst of hard times. I needed to see it lived out as I drew back to my first love. Her posts encouraged me...

Creative Weekend for me was a time of such peace and joy and healing. It was so much less about painting and so much more about God’s love and freedom. Honestly when I look back on the weekend, I gain even more freedom because God keeps showing me that I didn’t even HAVE TO paint one thing there to gain what He has freely given me. He gives His blessings and gifts to His people every day, all day and He establishes the work of our hands! I went into the weekend not knowing what i was going to paint....

From Erica B @found.candles  I’m not sure if I can truly convey the transformation that came when I set out for the Creative Weekend, but I’ll try. I live a very small, quiet life as a stay at home wife and mom, on the countryside in Ontario, Canada. I’ve only flown once in my life and that was 25 years ago. Every aspect of this trip was daunting (4 flights, renting a car, travelling alone) but I just had this knowing in my heart, a pull to come. I’ve been following and admiring Melissa’s art on Instagram for many years...