Beyond the Tears Author/Artist Lynn C. Tolson Expands to Etsy as Abundant Arts

"Carefully made and deeply felt art products are miracles: gifts given against great odds." says Eric Maisel in A Life in the Arts. According to @ericmaisel, Carlos Santana @SantanaCarlos likened artists to "warriors in the trenches who have the vision of saving us from going over the edge." (p. 87) Thus, I took the leap to offer my personal art and vintage pieces on the popular Etsy web site. I am excited to start sharing, with a variety of styles and mediums in painting and collage to suit your interests. My shop on Etsy is called Abundant Arts.

The pleasures of my life include words, color, animals, and nature. I combine these passions in artistic endeavors to capture the essence of the universe and envision the wonders of the world. Perhaps you will find an original painting or quirky collage for your home, office, or studio. Or you might see a piece that will be a perfect present!

I’ve attended watercolor workshops facilitated by famed art teachers in the Midwest and Rocky Mountains. I’ve taken workshops at Bemis School of Art and Cottonwood Center for the Arts in Colorado.

What I’ve learned is that there are principles of design to follow. However, art is an evolving endeavor with unexpected results. Sometimes painting is a planned process, and often times it is an impulse project. There is no formula; the same subject is never painted the same way twice. I refer to my photographs to paint abstractions from nature.

My collage style developed by using repeated glazes of transparent watercolors on cold-press paper, then adding torn rice paper to build dimension. The brush dances with the vivid paint colors on the layered papers, to stretch the imagination in a structured choreography, or a surprise turn. This creates textures that provide spontaneous effects.

Crossroads, Paved With Gold

I’ve been in juried art shows, and won the purchase award at Art in the Park, in St. Joseph, MO. The Pikes Peak Library District and local community centers have exhibited my work. My paintings are privately owned US coast-to-coast, and I am grateful for the patrons.

I'm best known as the author of Beyond the Tears: A True Survivor's Story. My memoir is about my journey from abuse and adversity to hope and healing. I wrote the book to break the silence, comfort other victims, and challenge society. As an advocate for survivors of ugly crimes,  I engage in creative activities to serve as a balance through pretty pictures. I'm also a breast cancer survivor, and used art as a healing tool during my recovery.

Whether it is through writing or painting, my goals are to offer information, inspiration, or insight. But mostly, I want to provide pleasure for the viewer. Art is subject to interpretation; your interpretation may be different than what the artist intended, and your interpretation may be different than the viewer standing next to you. There is no right or wrong. Art is personal!

I've always been fascinated by antiques! As I mature, I see that my own items are now considered vintage. Although I am not a vintage dealer, I occasionally part with items from my vintage closet so that another may reuse or recycle. Explore and enjoy!