Free as a Feather--Art Workshop!

Spring is often a time for releasing what no longer serves us and allowing new growth to begin.  Join me in creating your own unique mixed media feather painting representing this time of transition on Sunday, March 26th from 4-7 p.m.  What message will your feather carry? This art workshop will begin with a short guided meditation to get our creativity flowing. No art experience necessary.  Cost of the workshop is $45.  All art instruction and supplies provided. Feel free to bring a drink or snack to share.  To register, click the button below.

Dream BIG--Vision Board Workshop!

Dream BIG--Vision Board workshop!  

Thursday, January 26th, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Chantilly, VA

Start 2017 with clarity, intention and creativity!  Time to gather together and set our intentions for the new year!  This workshop will begin with a short guided meditation to get our ideas flowing.  Then we will create beautiful mixed media collage vision boards with our dreams and desires for the new year.  No art experience necessary.  Just show up and dream big!  Feel free to bring a drink or snack to share.  Cost for this 2 hour class is $35 per person and includes all instruction and supplies.  To register, simply click the button below.  Feel free to email me with any questions at jackietury@gmail.com.  Hope to see you soon!

Happy New Year 2017!

Happy New Year!  Thank you so much for your continued love, support and friendship!  I am wishing you all a happy, healthy year full of art, adventure and dreams come true!

I am thankful to have spent the end of 2016 surrounded by family and friends both at home and at the beach!

I am happy to report that 2017 is off to an artful start!  I have 4 new pieces in the Del Ray Artisans "Simply Abstract Show" that runs through the end of January and am almost finished with a small series inspired by my Reiki training.

Next up, registration for my upcoming art parties and workshops! Hope to see you soon!

Holding on and letting go...

"Holding on and letting go..."

Today I am posting a painting inspired by the upcoming graduation of my oldest daughter, Autumn, from high school and her journey to Art School in New York!  For me, this time of transition has been a roller coaster of emotions and a lesson in finding the balance between holding on and letting go.  

I am happy, nervous, scared, excited, sad, and everything in between and often all at once.  As I sort through thousands and thousands of photos (no exaggeration here) I am reminded of all the happy memories we have created together as a family.  I cherish our time together and I will hold onto these memories as I let her go and send her off into the world.  I am hoping she knows how much I love her and how much I believe in her!   How proud I am of her for working hard and staying true to herself, even when that meant flying solo.  And though I will miss her, I am looking forward to watching her blossom as her dreams take flight!  I love you Autumn Rose!  

Congratulations to all the graduates out there and their loved ones!

This painting went through several transformations to become the painting it is today.

On our journeys, we may set off in one direction and then somewhere down the road, change course and find ourselves facing a completely new horizon.  We may go through several changes along the way, overcoming obstacles as we move forward.  This painting started out as a heart with wings.  I originally called it “together we soar.”  I thought of it as a “work in progress” and sat with it like that for several months.  

"Together we Soar!"

Then one day,  I saw mountains on the canvas.  At the time, things were very unclear for me and I was trying to remind myself to “trust that the fog will lift and all will be revealed.”   And thus, a transformation took place and a new painting was born.  This new painting hung on my wall for a couple months and then my vision changed again.  

"Trust that the fog will lift and all will be revealed"

This time I was dealing with the upcoming graduation of my daughter and her leaving home.  I envisioned her gently floating over the city, lifted by a bouquet of balloons. One hand holding on and the other letting go as she drifts away from home and soars closer to her dreams.  And so, another transformation, the birth of another painting and the beginning of a new chapter!  

"Holding on and letting go..."

I love that in the final version of this painting, you can still see some of the under layers. They not only add depth, texture, and contrast, but special meaning as well.  I love that there is a heart with wings and a mountain of strength just below the surface supporting Autumn on her journey!  I love that the word “trust” is still visible in the sky.  I like the subtle arrows pointing up as well as the less subtle arrows (former mountains) pointing in different directions. I like the faint outline of an abstract bridge below Autumn as she makes this important transition and celebrates this special milestone.  As I am writing this, I now remember that beneath the heart with wings, lies another bridge--the very first layer of this painting.  It really has come full circle.  I guess it's time to cross the bridge!  It's time to hold on and to let go!  It's time to SOAR!

"Creatures from the Sea!"

Come see me and my artwork at "Creatures from the Sea" show at Del Ray Artisans in Alexandria April 1st - May 1st!

"Find your own way" mixed media mermaid and "Go with the flow" mixed media fish

It's been a while since I've participated in a Del Ray art show, but I couldn't let this one pass me by! "Creatures from the Sea" was calling my name! My whole house is filled with sea creatures 
smile emoticon.  These two are in the show which opens Friday night, April 1st (no fooling) and runs through May 1st! I also have a few mini mermaids in the art to go section. Come on down to Del Ray Artisans in Alexandria! I will be there Friday night and Saturday morning smile emoticonHope to see you!

Enjoyed "filling my cup" with these wonderful women!

Art is definitely one of the favorite ways I "fill my cup!"  I also enjoy walking, yoga, the beach, time with my family, laughing with friends, time to myself, reading, writing, simply BE-ing.  My cup has definitely been running a little low lately, which is why I chose this theme and created this project for my March art party.  I enjoyed gathering with a wonderful group of women last night as we took time to "fill our cups!" We had a great evening of sampling teas, treats, coffee and more as we connected with each other and created mixed media cups on canvas!  I hope that our canvases will serve as visual reminders to slow down, sip and savor the everyday moments and take time to "fill our cups" so we can better serve others.  Thank you ladies--you and your artwork are amazing!

xoxo,
jackie

p.s. - If you are looking for a great inspirational book, check out "Life by the Cup" by Zhena Muzyka of  Zhena's Gypsy Tea!

Fill your cup! March Art Party/Workshop!

Fill your cup! (March Art Party/Workshop)

Registration now OPEN

Sometimes it feels as if we are running on empty.  It’s important to take time to fill our cups so that we can continue to fill the cups of others.  So take time to nurture yourself and fill your cup at my March Art Party/Workshop!  Join me on Sunday, March 13th from 4-7 p.m. as we sip and sample teas, coffees, wine and more while we create mixed media cups on canvas.  Cost for this 3 hour class is $45 and includes all instruction and supplies.  Please bring a drink or snack to share.  Register now, space is limited. To register, click on "Art Parties and Workshops" tab and scroll down to "buy now" button.

"Love lives here"

"Love lives here" is painting 7/50 in my "50 to 50 Challenge."  It is all about centering yourself in love and radiating that love to others.  May you feel loved and share that love with others.   May you live in a space that you feel loved, supported, nurtured and appreciated.  "Love lives here!"

xoxo ~jackie

"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

"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!

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!

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...

Releasing our inner dragons!

Thanks to all the wonderful women who joined me for my June Art Party—“Release Your Inner Dragon!”  We had a great time sipping, snacking and socializing as we created mixed media dragonflies to celebrate summer!  Hope you all have a fun, relaxing, care-free summer as you dance with the dragonflies and let your spirit soar!

Look Who's Teaching at Grown Ups Art Camp (GUAC) this summer!

I am happy to announce that I will be teaching a workshop at Del Ray Artisan's Grown Ups Art Camp (GUAC) this summer!  The workshop is called "Dreams Set Sail!"  We will explore and express our dreams as we create beautiful sailboat scenes using mixed media collage techniques.  The workshop will be held on Sunday, July 5th from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Del Ray Artisans Gallery in Alexandria, VA.  To register, please go to:  http://calendar.thedelrayartisans.org/view_entry.php?id=2156.  Hope you can join me as we allow our "dreams to set sail!"

June Art Party Registration Open NOW!

Join us on June 14th from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. to create mixed media masterpieces celebrating summer! 

Cost is $45 and includes all instruction and supplies.  No previous art experience necessary.  Please bring a drink or snack to share.  Classes fill quickly, so register soon! 

Makes a great Mother's Day gift!

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