Lindi Cranston

They say that who you were when you were a small child is who you are at your core. As such, I am a creative, a rock hunter, shell finder, water lover, forest explorer, beauty seeker, student of humankind and lover of connection. I have danced with two long standing passions through the stages of my life. First, an undying attraction for visual design whether natural or manmade, and second: an interest in the human condition, people and people groups, how they relate, move, love and exist. Art and people are my first loves. I observed them as a child, studied them as a young adult majoring in Fine Art and Sociology, and experienced them through travel and service. Many of my years were spent serving people in social work vocations and ministry. During this time, my love of creating art was put aside in the name of following what I believe were God’s callings, and the scale tipped heavily to the “people” side of my interests. My desire for creative endeavors felt indulgent in an atmosphere where fundamental needs of mankind were calling, including my three precious sons whom I was raising. Later I would re-learn that creativity IS a fundamental need of humanity. Of myself. And that my love for others is best realized when I have learned to honor myself and my gifts as an integral part of creation. In midlife I became an art educator, combining my love for art and people together once again. My own, personal renaissance gave way to the rebirth of my art practice that had been on hold (like breath) for nearly two decades. I could breathe again. My creative energy today is fueled by the human experience of incredible loss, and incredible gain. I am still exploring my unique marks and voice, while tapping into a deep well of life experience which longs to express itself. This feels like the path to wholeness to me as well as a sacred recognition of my connection to the divine and the self.