The Light Returns!

I've been facing some inner storms lately as I navigate the waves of change in my life.  But just over a week ago I found myself in the midst of a real hurricane! Yes, Matthew paid me a visit during what was supposed to be a big family celebration at the beach for my 50th birthday.  Most of our family bailed due to the weather forecast.  Can't say I blame them.  We lost power, got flooded, the wind howled and the house shook.  But we survived...and we even celebrated.  We took in the energy of the ocean and waited for the light to return--and it did!  The electricity inside our house was still out, but the light outside was definitely back and in a big way! The day after the storm, I walked down the wooden path towards the ocean and like magic a dozen or more monarch butterflies flew out onto the path before me.  When I reached the dunes, this is the sight I saw.  Breathtaking beauty (God rays as we call them in my family)--light breaking through the clouds and illuminating the ocean, the earth, the spirit!  A not-so-subtle reminder that whether we are facing storms on the inside or storms on the outside, the light will return!  Bask in it's beauty! All will be well!  Blessings to those still recovering from the damage of Hurricane Matthew and those facing their own personal storms.  May your light return soon!

Mermaid as Muse Registration now OPEN!

I am so excited to announce this special artful weekend!  Friend and fellow artist Donna Hollowell and I will be hosting a 2-day Art Workshop you don't want to miss!! 

Mermaid as Muse!

Save the Date--BIG announcement coming soon!!!

Save the date (April 30th - May 1st)!  I am planning something extra special with Donna Hollowell of Deja New!  Stay tuned for our BIG announcement coming soon!!!

Beach Blessings Released!!!

I have a special announcement!  I have been working on a project very near and dear to my heart and I am releasing it today with the new moon!  I started this project by writing a simple message in the sand over a year ago and it has grown into something bigger.  I hope you enjoy my new inspirational photo book:  “Beach Blessings: a photographic journey of awakening to the beauty and blessings of the ocean!”  It is now available on Amazon at  BeachBlessings.amazon.

I also have a few copies at my home studio for those of you who are local.  This little book makes a great gift for any beach lover!  Please feel free to share.

As many of you know, the beach is my sacred space and the place I call home in my heart.  The ocean has always been a source of peace, healing, and inspiration for me.  This is my “love letter” to the ocean..my way of speaking back and giving thanks.  I hope that by sharing it, you too can hear the ocean whispering to your soul and lifting your spirit. Please be sure to check out “Beach Blessings” and join me on this journey!  I invite you to share your own beach blessings on Instagram at #beachblessings.

With love and gratitude,

Jackie 

Artful Awakenings Retreat was Amazing!!!

A heartfelt thanks to all the wonderful women who gathered to dream, play, create and awaken with me at our Artful Awakenings Beach Retreat this past weekend!  Your stories, energy, artwork and  presence were truly beautiful and inspiring!  You made this Retreat a joy from beginning to end!   Here's a look at some of the magic you created!

A huge thank you to my loving family and amazing Retreat Team for supporting me on this journey! While Paul and the girls held down the fort at home, our Retreat Team created a sacred space for nurturing our minds, bodies, spirits, and creativity by the sea!  Even my mom (who lives at the beach) pitched in!

Leslie worked her magic in the kitchen, preparing stunning and delicious meals with fresh, colorful ingredients.  

Jolene stretched our minds and bodies both on and off the mat with her calm presence and her soulful yoga classes. 

Anne Marie made sure everyone felt welcome, nurtured, pampered and relaxed.  

I led our participants through a weekend full of awakenings and self-discoveries through art and the creative process!  

Together we created a beautiful tapestry of inner strength and beauty as we shared our dreams and intentions!

I can’t thank you enough and can’t wait to do it again!  Wishing you joy, purpose, peace, strength, and clarity as you awaken and move forward with awareness, passion, and intention on your journeys!  May your possibilities be endless!  

With love and gratitude...jackie

Artful Awakenings Beach Retreat is almost HERE!!!

In just two short days we will be gathering at the Beach to rest, relax, dream, play, create and awaken our inner mermaids!  Can't wait!!! See you there!

Look Who's In Natural Awakenings Magazine!

Thank you Robin for publishing a News Brief about our Artful Awakenings Retreat in your wonderful publication "Natural Awakenings" magazine!  You can find the online version of the March issue at www.naturalawakeningsdc.com.  We are on page 11!  Hard copies can be found all around the metro area in grocery stores, yoga studios, art galleries, health and wellness centers.
Hope you get a chance to pick up your copy!   Don't forget to register for our amazing Retreat--only 4 spots left!

Sand & Sea

Thanks to all the snow we've been getting lately, I've had some time to work on these paintings I started back in November!  I began by painting several layers while actually ON the beach!  I love how some of the paintings still have sand in them!  So fun to watch these paintings transform and to know that there is a piece of the beach in each of them!  Now as I am surrounded by beautiful white snow, I can dream of the Sand & Sea and my favorite place to be!  Stay warm!

What Magic will YOU Create in 2015? Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

It’s that time of year to say goodbye to 2014 and give thanks for all of the blessings it bestowed.  I am grateful that 2014 was another wonderful year full of ART and ADVENTURE!  Here is a little wrap up:

I completed my second year of developing and hosting my monthly “Power Wish Painting Parties!”  It is so rewarding to create “artful affirmations” with a wonderful group of women each month and watch our dreams and desires manifest through mixed media!  I am super excited to share that not only have my students opened themselves up to creativity, but they have made lots of positive changes big and small this year!  Many have moved to new homes, found new jobs, started new business ventures, gone on fun life adventures, had new educational opportunities, started new relationships or renewed old ones.  All have experienced new joy, energy, passion, and creativity!  

I am also happy to report the huge success of my first “Artful Awakenings” Beach Retreat featuring a long weekend full of art, yoga, gourmet food, time by the ocean nurturing our souls!  This was a magical, meaningful weekend and dream come true!  I look forward to hosting many more of these uplifting, life changing retreats!

In other Artful news, I loved showing and selling my art at the Del Ray Artisans Gallery in Alexandria, VA; The Artful Gift Shop in Vienna, VA; the Dare County Arts Council Gallery in Manteo, NC; and the Jelly Lounge in Kitty Hawk, NC.  I also enjoyed having my own tent and display at my first big juried art festival, Art on the Avenue.  I loved taking Flora Bowley’s online class this winter and seeing her art in person this summer when we visited Portland, OR.  I am happy that I had time, energy and inspiration to create over 50 new works of art this year!  

While I wasn’t doing artful activities, I was watching my two beautiful daughters grow up way too quickly.  I also got to celebrate my husband’s 50th birthday both with a rocking’ party at home and a weekend getaway to New Orleans to see Voodoo Fest! (Did I mention I got to hold hands with Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters?)  Our family also enjoyed hang gliding, several trips to the beach, visits with family and friends, and a wonderful vacation to the Pacific Northwest that included lots of great food and beautiful scenery!  All in all, a very good year!  Thank you for your continued support on my creative journey!  

Now it’s time to begin again.

I love starting each new year with a clean slate and a blank canvas and seeing what unfolds!

Looking ahead to 2015, the word that comes to mind is MAGIC!  I can’t wait to see what Artful Magic 2015 has in store!  What magic will you create this year?  Wishing you all a Healthy, Happy, Magical New Year!  xxoo ~ jackie

p.s. - There are still a few spots left in January’s “Journey” themed “Power Wish Painting Party!”

Come create some magic with me on and off the canvas!  

Registration Now Open—Artful Awakenings Fall Retreat!

 Join us for an amazing weekend full of art, yoga, and delicious meals--all with an ocean view!  Awaken your mind, body and spirit as you relax and recharge before the busy holidays!  Don't miss this Artful opportunity!

Please click here or on the "Retreat" Tab for full details and registration information!

ART news!!!

More art SOLD! 

More art Delivered!  My art is now at the Jelly Lounge in OBX! This cute new gallery is at the 4.5MP in Kitty Hawk.  You can also find my art in the Artful Gift Shop (Vienna, VA) and the DCAC Gallery in downtown Manteo! 

Just got accepted into Art on the Avenue--my first juried Art Festival!  I have thought about applying for a booth at this show/festival for years, but for one reason or another, always put it on the back burner. Last year I did my first live artist demo at the festival and loved it. So, this year I decided to finally apply for my own booth space! I am very excited that my application was accepted and can't wait for the festival! Now, the hard part--designing my booth space and creating enough work to fill the space! Guess I know what I'll be doing this summer!  Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 4th and come visit me in booth E3 at Art on the Avenue in Alexandria!  

Home by the Sea!!!

So happy that my collection of mermaids, sailboats, and beach blocks found a Home by the Sea this summer!  Thank you Fay!!!! You made my day!!!  You can purchase my colorful creations at the Dare County Arts Council (DCAC) Gallery in the old courthouse building in Manteo, NC on the Outer Banks!  To learn more about DCAC go to:  http://darearts.org 

Me in front of the DCAC Gallery in Manteo!

My collection of mermaids, beach blocks, sailboats

The DCAC Gallery in downtown Manteo

Fay and I at the DCAC Gallery

I always love seeing Fay's smiling face when I visit Manteo!  She is not only the DCAC Gallery Director, but a wonderful artist too! To see her work go to: http://faydavisedwards.com/home.html

Donna and I at Deja New

One lone mermaid made her way to Deja New where I met new artist friends Donna and Brad!  Donna is the owner of Deja New, a shop where you can find fun, funky furniture and more!  She and her daughter teach classes there too.  Donna and I have similar interests in collage, mixed media, and art for the soul.  So nice to find a kindred spirit!  Brad is not only an awesome artist, but also a chef at Elizabeth's Cafe in Duck!  You can find his work in the restaurant, Deja New and in the summer issue of Sun magazine.  To learn more about Deja New, go to: https://www.facebook.com/dejanewOBX
To see more of Brad's work go to: http://www.bradpriceart.com

Brad's art at Deja New

So next time you are in OBX, don't forget to stop by the DCAC Gallery in Manteo, Deja New in Kitty Hawk, and Elizabeth's Cafe in Duck!


Thanks also to my family for supporting me and my dreams of being an OBX artist!

Artful Awakenings Retreat was Amazing!!!!!

Dream Come True!

I could not have asked for a better experience hosting my first Retreat!  Everything worked out perfectly from beginning to end like divine intervention!  We had a wonderful group of 12 bright, brave, beautiful women all at transitional points in their lives.  It was so moving and beautiful to all come together to laugh, cry, play, stretch, dream, and create.  It was amazing the many connections we all had!  I'm so happy to have had the opportunity to nurture these nurturers who are doing great things for others out in the world.  With the beach at our doorstep, the ocean as our healer and the Kitty Hawk Life Saving Station as our sacred space we had a weekend filled with magical moments! 

Anne Marie, Leslie, Jackie (me), and Karen

Thank you to my family for your support and to my awesome retreat team for sharing your gifts this weekend!  Each person played such an important role in bringing this Retreat together and this dream to life!  I couldn’t have done it without you!  Karen, you are such a warm and loving spirit and a true yoga goddess!  Leslie your amazing meals were healthy, delicious masterpieces!  Anne Marie, your skills as a doula helped birth my dream and allowed our guests to feel loved, pampered, and supported.  I was able to guide our guests in connecting with their creativity and discovering the artist within through meaningful art projects.  Together, we were all able to experience Artful Awakenings as we move forward on our journeys with strength, purpose, awareness and intention. 

These amazing women opened their hearts and minds, stretched their bodies, and explored their creativity!

Thanks to each and every one of you!  I am in awe of you and feel blessed to have spent the weekend in your presence!

Our mornings started with yoga on the beach at sunrise--can't beat that!

From mandalas...

To mermaids...

Love how your beautiful artwork captured your spirits and sparkled in the sunshine!

Our afternoons were filled with art!

Our evenings were a time for meaningful conversation as we shared laughter, tears, dreams and fears.

All the while, feasting on healthy, delicious meals prepared by Leslie.

Let's not forget daily walks on the beach and even a polar plunge.

Our closing circle--our spirits lifted and renewed--Awakened!

Love and gratitude to all my mermaid sisters of the sea!  I love you all and miss you and the beach already!
I hope you continue to be present and awake to the possibilities within you and the opportunities that surround you!

Artful Awakenings...