Believe in Miracles! I do!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with miracles and dreams come true!

Give the gift of Creativity! Winter Workshops now OPEN!

2016 Winter Workshops--Registration now OPEN!

Add some color, intention, and inspiration to your new year!

Join me for the first art workshop of 2016 on Sunday, January 10th from 4-7 p.m.

We will be setting our intentions for the year and creating mini, mixed-media inspiration cards and affirmation blocks.  Each participant will create 12 inspiration cards to save or swap, as well as an affirmation block with your word or phrase of the year!  Cost is $45 per person and includes all instruction and supplies.  Please bring a drink or snack to share.  Feel free to bring along some quotes or inspiring messages to use in your projects.

Come fill your heART and join me for the February Art Workshop on Sunday, February 7th from 4-7 p.m.

We will be creating mixed media hearts filled with love, gratitude, and whatever your heart desires!  Cost is $45 per person and includes all instructions and supplies.  Please bring a drink or snack to share.  

Mother-daughter Christmas Art Party!

Thanks to everyone who joined me for the mother-daughter Christmas Art Party!
I enjoyed painting with each of you and love all of your festive, colorful Christmas trees!
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and looking forward to painting with you again in the New Year!

Perfect Stocking Stuffer for Beach Lovers!

My "Beach Blessings" book makes the perfect stocking stuffer for any beach lover! It is "a photographic journey of awakening to the beauty and blessings of the ocean." It's only $10.95 and includes free shipping with Amazon Prime. Go to: http://www.amazon.com/Beach-Blessings-photogr…/…/ref=sr_1_1…

"Finding balance!"

"Finding balance" (5/50)

“Life is a balance of holding on and letting go” (~ Rumi)

Holding onto what’s important and letting go of what is not…

Holding onto what is true to your personal journey and letting go of what no longer serves you…

The newest painting in my “50 to 50 Challenge” is titled “Finding Balance” and is #5/50.

It was inspired by the stacks of rocks I saw by the sea a few years ago and my own personal quest for balance in my everyday life.  

I love these rock totems!  I first saw them en mass on one of our vacations a few years ago.  My family and I were  walking along a winding beach path when we came across stone towers of all sizes and configurations!  They filled the entire shore line!  It was truly a beautiful, moving, magical sight!  My family and I added our own totems to the bunch.   We have seen similar gatherings of rock totems in the woods, mountains, beaches, valleys, desserts.  I see them as little reminders of the importance of finding balance in our lives and that we are not alone in this pursuit.  Since that first spotting, I have started collecting small rocks and stones from my travels. 

I believe the need to find balance is part of human nature.  We are designed to seek balance and  homeostasis.  But seeking and finding balance can be difficult, especially this time of year.  There are so many demands on our time, pulling us in different directions.  It’s easy to feel off-balance and overwhelmed.  Just when we think we’ve found a good balance, things change and it’s time to move some stones around and re-balance our tower.  We may try taking some stones away, stacking our stones in a different order, moving our totem to a new location, or simply starting over with a whole new stack.  We may need to seek out quiet moments to regain our balance.  We may need to re-arrange priorities.  Our circumstances are always changing.  We need to remember that it’s okay to re-arrange our rocks and if our stones should fall to the ground, it’s okay to pick them up and start over.  I am learning that balance is found moment by moment, day by day.  May you find beauty and balance in your daily life!

Love,

Jackie

Big envelope full of love and inspiration!

Recently received the package I've been waiting months for!!!  It arrived just after Thanksgiving and I was oh so grateful!  Earlier this year I signed up for Jessica Brogan's International Card Deck Swap!  I had so much fun creating my own deck of inspirational cards to share (more on that later)!  It was like sending love, hope, and positive energy through the mail to others all over the world!  Can't wait to see who ended up with my cards!  This weekend, I am looking forward to taking a closer look and savoring each of the 52 beautiful inspirational cards I received from artists all around the world!  What a great way to start the holidays!  Hope you can join us for the next round!

"A small sample of the cards I created and sent out"

"All the gorgeous cards I received in the mail"

"Love and Gratitude!"

Happy Thanksgiving!  I am oh so thankful for family and friends near and far!  May you all enjoy this special day of giving thanks!  Hope your heart is filled with love and gratitude each and every day! This is painting 4/50 in my "50 to 50" Challenge and is titled "Her heart was filled with love and gratitude!" xoxo ~jackie

"Her heart was filled with love and gratitude"

"Listen to Your Whispers"

"Listen to Your Whispers"

This is painting 3/50 in my "50 to 50" Challenge!  Right now the title is "Listen to Your Whispers."  It is a title I've used in several of my previous paintings as well as a message I try to live by and teach in my classes.  This is an intuitive painting inspired by the colors gray and teal.  This painting reminds me of a full moon illuminating the winter woods.  For me there is a peaceful feeling of calm and stillness with a subtle hint of magic in the air.  Perhaps the message is to stand still in silence and all will be illuminated.  Maybe the message is to balance social activity with silence and solitude. While I am looking forward to the flurry of activity that the holidays bring, I am also looking forward to the whispers of winter and the opportunity to retreat into the stillness and beauty of the snow covered, moonlit nights of winter.

To my surprise, this was the view when I stepped outside tonight!  Hope you enjoy the magic of the moon!

Rise!

Here is painting 2/50 in my "50 to 50" Challenge!  I have always admired the beauty, strength and symbolism of the lotus flower.  This new painting was inspired by the lotus and her ability to rise and shine despite her obstacles.  She is able to lift herself up from beneath the murky waters and grow towards the light, rising strong and opening herself up to the world above.

"Rise"

Here is a little poem I wrote several years ago for our first retreat participants that went along with the lotus lesson and art project I prepared and taught at the "living your yoga on and off the mat" retreat. Hope you enjoy!

Breathe deeply...

Begin the transformation...

Rise above the dark waters...

Blossom towards the light...

Reach your full potential...

Awaken your spirit...

~by jackie tury

Dare to DREAM!

"Life holds special magic for those who dare to dream!" (author unknown). We definitely had some "dreamwork in progress" last night as we gathered to create beautiful mixed media dream catchers encouraging us to chase our dreams and inspiring us to follow our hearts!  A huge thank you to all the wonderful women who joined me last night to share their dreams, their snacks, and their creativity! May all your dreams come true!

"50 to 50" Personal Challenge: 1/50 "She followed her heart through the seas of change!"

I recently celebrated my 49th birthday and thought a fitting and meaningful way to mark my journey towards 50 would be to create 50 new paintings. Turning 40 brought about great change in my life as I experienced what I call my “Artful Awakening” or “Mid-life Metamorphosis.”  My forties have been a period of opening and fully awakening to my creative dreams and desires.  It has been a journey of great personal, spiritual, and creative growth.  As I approach the milestone birthday of 50, I feel the currents of change stirring within me and around me.  I am not sure what my future holds, I only know the ground beneath me is shifting and the waves of change are coming.  It is with these thoughts, emotions, and intentions that I created the first painting of my “50 to 50” personal challenge.  

Number 1/50 is called “She followed her heart through the seas of change.”  I hope you like it and I wish you well on your own personal journey.  Please feel free to follow my journey at www.jackietury.blogspot.com and to share your own.  If you would like to purchase a print of “She followed her heart through the seas of change,” please email me at jackietury@gmail.com or PM me on Facebook.  Looking forward to journeying together!

Ideally, I will create and post one new painting a week for 50 weeks. Realistically, I know that some weeks I may not have the opportunity to paint and other weeks I may have time and inspiration to create more than one painting.  I am giving myself permission to “go with the flow” on this one and allowing myself to drift between the shores of the real and the ideal—finding a sense of balance along the way.  

Autumn Update--Release and Receive!

I may have been neglecting my blog lately, but I have been fully enjoying my life off-line and spending as much time with family as possible!  And that’s what it’s all about, right?  This fall has been abundant with wonderful activities and opportunities!  For me, it has been about releasing and receiving!  Here is a look at what I’ve been up to:  

My oldest daughter is a senior in high school and big surprise, is thinking of applying to art school. Earlier this month, my family enjoyed a weekend trip to NYC to check out some schools and visit my 97 year old grandmother.  What a treat to listen to my grandmother’s stories, to walk the Brooklyn Bridge, and to enjoy exploring the city!

Next, I headed to the beach for a mini-Serendipity art retreat hosted by my friend Donna Hollowell of Deja New and new friend Michelle Madden Smith of Animyst and led by one of my favorite mixed media artists, the lovely and talented Alena Hennessy.  It was just what I needed!  Usually I am the one hosting and teaching and nurturing others at Workshops and Retreats.  This time I was on the receiving end!  I released responsibility and expectation and allowed myself to relax, create, connect.  It was wonderful.  I loved our projects and all the kindred creative spirits—all such wonderful women!  And of course I loved my time by the ocean—my ultimate healer and source of inspiration.  Now that I was able to retreat and nurture myself, I am ready to nurture others again and can’t wait to host our annual Artful Awakenings Retreat at the beach this Spring! Thank you to all who contributed to make this early birthday gift possible!  I enjoyed every minute of it!

I came home from the beach with sand on my feet, a smile on my face and a starfish in my suitcase.  Not to mention new energy, new friends, and new artwork!  Next, I had a full week of fun birthday celebrations with friends and family!  Thank you everyone for making me feel so loved, appreciated, and celebrated!

Last weekend, my family and I enjoyed the spectacular display of autumn colors in Skyline Drive.  I think we hit the peak!  The views were truly gorgeous!  One of our favorite traditions!  Love soaking in the beauty and abundance of autumn!

Next up, it’s Halloween and my November art party (Dare to DREAM)!

I am super excited about my November Art Party/Workshop!  The theme is dreamcatchers.  I have been looking forward to this project for months now,  but am even more excited about this theme after returning from my mini-retreat and creating 3-d dream catchers with fellow creatives at the beach! What a great coincidence and fun experience!  The dream catchers we will be creating at my November Art Party/Workshop will be 2-d on canvas using mixed media techniques.  Of course we will have plenty of 3-d embellishments on hand to add to your masterpiece.  No art experience necessary.  Come gather in gratitude to celebrate the abundance of autumn and “Dare To DREAM!” Don’t miss this opportunity to create your own dream catcher on canvas as a visual reminder of your dreams and intentions.  To register go to: www.jackietury.blogspot.com under the "Art Party" tab and scroll down to "November!"

Invite Autumn Abundance!

"Invite Autumn Abundance"


As the leaves change color and fall gently to the ground, I am reminded of the importance of letting go of my worries, doubts, fears and burdens to make room for the abundance that awaits me.  I am reminded not to hold too tightly to my way of doing things, but instead to embrace change.  Once I do this, I am free to receive all the goodness the universe has to offer.  I am open to abundance!  Wishing you abundance this fall too!

"I do!"

Just finished this one of a kind gift for the bride-to-be just in time for her shower!  Hope the bride and groom have many years of love and happiness together!  If you would like me to create a custom cake painting for your special occasion, email me at jackietury@gmail.com.

Last Call for Peacock Painting Party!

Last call for Peacock Painting Party this Sunday, September 27th from 4-7 p.m.!  Hope you can join us for this fun evening of sipping, socializing and spreading our wings while creating beautiful mixed media peacocks!

Sending Inspiration Your Way!

Cards are in the mail!  Just sent off this package full of love, joy and positive energy!  Will be posting more photos and information from the International Card Deck Swap soon!

Autumn Art Parties and Workshops--Registration Open NOW!

Register NOW for Autumn Art Parties! 

Click on link above for dates and registration information.  First class is September 27th!

Animal Totems class coming soon!

International Card Deck Swap!

So excited to be participating in Jessica Brogan's International Card Deck Swap this year!
Having fun creating these mini mixed media pieces!

Coastal Collection Growing!!!

I fully enjoyed my mini social media hiatus and was able to finish these paintings before heading off to Yellowstone for an awesome family adventure (more on that later).  I sold one of the sea turtles before even posting--thanks Mary Anne!  My Coastal Collection is definitely growing!  Now I just need my own little beach house to put it in!  In the meantime, I am working on my "canvas" beach house.  Should be done soon :).   If you are interested in purchasing a piece from my Coastal Collection, please contact me at jackietury@gmail.com.  Here's to endless summers!

"Sea Turtle's Journey 1"

"Sea Turtle's Journey 2"

"Beach Bird Blues"

"Pelican's Grin"

"Sunset Shrimp"

"Dolphin Dreams"

"My beach house in progress!"

Sweet Surrender!

To me, surrender does not mean giving up, but rather giving in.  I have had a deep yearning all summer to turn inward, to detach from social media, to slow down and shift focus.  Instead of surrendering to this urge, I have resisted.  With the blue moon rising, I am finally ready to surrender--to self, to solitude, to summer, to soul...

Instead of being the sun and radiating all of my energy outwards and in all different directions, I am choosing for now to be the moon.  To sit quietly and  gather my energy inward...to reflect and center once more.  Wishing you peace and surrender...