"Let Yourself GROW" Art Party--in full BLOOM!

April's Art Party--"Let Yourself GROW!" was in full BLOOM yesterday!  We took advantage of the gorgeous spring day and moved our Art Party outside--surrounded by blossoms and blooms!  What a great way to celebrate spring!  Thank you SO much to Jennifer, Jen, Jenny, and Katie!  Your blooms are beautiful!

This spring, remember to take time to stop and smell the flowers as well give yourself time, space and opportunities to try new things and "let yourself grow!"

All of my Art Parties are held from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. on the 2nd Sunday of each month (except for May, as the 2nd Sunday is Mother's Day).  May's Art Party is scheduled for Sunday, May 17th.  Online registration will be available soon on my blog.  Hope you will join me again soon!

"Just BE!"

As I was preparing for my June Art Party, “Just BE,”  I began receiving the message that I needed to “Just BE!”  I needed to not only share this message with my students, but I needed to take it to heart and follow it myself!  

As I was running around, full steam ahead creating demos and lesson plans, shopping for supplies, cleaning the studio, plus doing all of my day to day tasks as a mom, wife, and part-time employee, plus creating and delivering new art for shops, galleries, etc, I began to feel a bit overwhelmed.  Then I had a few people (for very good reasons) cancel at the last minute and I became frustrated AND overwhelmed.  Not a good combination.  I wondered if I should even have this June class at all.  I wondered if I should cancel the whole thing and “Just BE” by myself.  I sure needed some down time! But just as I was about to call it quits, a very dear friend going through a very tough time called and asked if there was still space in my class for her and a friend.  I decided to continue with the class and just wait and see who showed up.  I am SO glad I did!  The women who showed up were all there for a reason and the sharing and creating that went on that afternoon was uplifting, moving and beautiful!  It was like poetry in motion.  Thank you Jennifer, Karen, Anne Marie, Maribel, and Melissa for sharing this time with me as we learned to “Just BE” together!  I hope that you each find time to rest, relax, and “Just BE” this summer!  I plan to do the same!  Much love, jackie.

April Showers bring Gifts and Flowers

Here is a mini mermaid I created as a gift for my friend Jennifer's birthday. I already have other mermaid requests from family and friends. "Another cake?!" my daughter asked. "Yes, another cake!" I am having too much fun with my little cake paintings to stop now! I like experimenting with the different textures, patterns, decorations and designs. I can't decide if this latest one looks more like a birthday cake or a wedding cake. You decide. Either way, this cake is ready for spring and so am I!

New Home!!!

I'm so excited--we just moved into our New Home on Wed! It's absolutely beautiful and I LOVE everything about it! I can't wait to set up shop and start painting. I painted the "butterfly field" the day I miraculously found our dream home. We had already sold our home and couldn't find anything we liked. We were at the end of our rope. This house appeared out of nowhere, all the stars aligned and now the home is ours! I painted the "home is where your heart is" as our change of address announcement. On another note, the new Dare County Arts Council Gallery in Manteo, NC is now officially open and has my sea creatures on display. Stop by if you're in OBX.

"let yourself grow"