Author Spotlight: Mindi Oaten

We are pleased to introduce Mindi Oaten. Mindi is a prophetic artist who recently published Garden of Grace with us, which is now available through the Word Alive Press Bookstore, and everywhere fine Christian books are sold. We asked Mindi to share a little bit about her art and this exciting collection. But first, a little bit about her.

About

Mindi Oaten is a prophetic artist, painting in acrylic medium.  In 2001, she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts (with honors) from Western Washington University, concentrating in studio drawing.  Her works can be found with private collectors throughout Canada, the United States and abroad.  She has also painted live during numerous worship events and conferences, as well as teaching sessions on the Prophetic Arts & Worship.  She currently lives with her husband and three sons in Cochrane, Alberta, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains.  Her spiritual journey began as a child growing up in North Dakota, Alberta and Washington State, and matured as she encountered the Holy Spirit in a living way as an adult.  Her gift as a “live painter” developed when her cousin invited her to paint while he preached evangelistic sermons throughout the United States in 2015.  From this, she learned to quickly summarize the essence of a message into pictures and symbols.  Her love of floral paintings flowed into the use of these images in the “Garden of Grace” collection.  It is her prayer that this work will draw you into a deeper relationship to the Lord as you reflect on his word and engage in your own contemplation using all your senses to experience the living word.

Mindi continues to work on new collections, commissions and projects from her studio at home. She has a passion for the Bible, which grew extensively through this project, and desires to reflect the truth of God’s word through her art, revealing God’s beauty and glory.

She is currently working on a new series of paintings highlighting the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.  This collection focuses on the Word made flesh, moments of His life being our perfect example for a life transformed.  Her goal is to complete this collection by Spring 2022, and release a book shortly after. 

Mindi is a unique author in the sense that her words are express through artwork.  The creation of spiritual icons and paintings goes back centuries.  Even to this day, an artist is instructed to “write an icon” rather than paint one, because it preaches the Word of God to the viewer.  Symbols to artwork are what words are to books, story-telling devices.  Art has been a tool of instruction for thousands of years, Mindi hopes to use her creativity as an alternate way of experiencing God’s truth.  She is thankful for the talented writer that God has connected her with to accompany her artwork with written context, specifically Elaine Knudtson in Garden of Grace,  but hopes the view will use the art as tool to speak directly to their spirit. 

 

Q&A

Q: When did you first consider yourself an artist?
A: I always loved art and creating as a child.  I never thought about a career other than I knew I wanted to go to an art school.  Even in University, I didn’t know what I would do with a fine arts degree in studio art.  When I left school, I didn’t have much confidence as a career artist, so I left it there and got a “real job” as an interior decorator for a design firm.  I was fulfilled creatively somewhat, but my true passion for creating art wasn’t there.  I had a dream one night of me with an easel on a stage and when I woke up, I knew I was meant to return to the arts.  Shortly after this dream, I had an encounter with Jesus in my art box.  I was going to teach a young girl some drawing skills, and when I opened my art box from University (14 years it sat in storage) I saw a picture of Jesus I had taped in my box I totally forgot about – and I heard his voice clear as day, “I’ve been waiting in here this whole time for you.”  I fell to the floor crying, knowing I was born to paint for God.  That’s where my journey up to this point began. 

Q: Where does your inspiration come from?
A: Everything I create comes through inspiration from the Holy Spirit through prayer.  I try to maintain a lifestyle of constant communication with the Lord in my days, drawing on the Word of God.  I am also inspiration from nature, the beauty of creation.  Most of my work will have a element of nature in it. 

Q: What do you hope your readers take away from this book?
A: My prayer is this art book invites the readers to encounter the living Word in a fresh, new way.  Being a creative overview of the Bible, I hope the reader is inspired to dive into the Scriptures and find Jesus in every book as he is foreshadowed and revealed. 

Q: What was the highlight of creating this project?
A: During the two years paintings these sixty-six works of art, the highlight for me was simply my time immersed in the Bible.  I read it differently than before, asking the Lord for how I should paint each book.  I was seeing the words through a creative lens and experiencing it more personally.  I also spent a year after reviewing the writing portion with Elaine.  That was also a highlight for me to collaborate with a writers perspective of the paintings. 

Q: Do you have any more books planned for the future?
A: Yes!  I am currently working on a new series of paintings highlighting the life and ministry of Jesus.  This collection focuses on the Word made flesh, moments of His life being our perfect example for a life transformed.  My goal is to complete this collection by Spring 2022, and release another art book shortly after. 

Q: What advice would you give to a writer working on their first book?
A: My advice is somewhat different, I paint instead of write, but the same principles can apply.  Stay focused on your assignment.  We live in a very distracting world, my biggest advice is to stay focused to the theme and project God has called you to create or write.  Do not compare to others, work from an authentic voice given to you.  We were all created with a unique voice that is needed to share.

My other advice, is set goals and stick to them if possible.  Life has been full of uncertainty over the past year and a half.  As writers and creatives, this is our opportunity to buckle down and express what the world needs to hear and see in the midst of shaking.  It is such an amazing opportunity of time to share your voice because writing and creating can happen from home.  Creatives can bring hope and share stories no matter the circumstance.

 

Connecting Points

Find and follow Mindi, here:
Website: www.mindioaten.com
Instagram: @mindioatenart
Facebook:  Mindi Oaten Art