Happy Halloween!!!!



Mama Kitty and her kitten!!!



When black cats prowl and pumpkins gleam, may luck be yours on Halloween. ~ Anonymous.

This weekend my daughter joined me for a Halloween dress up painting party I was teaching at the Painting With a Twist studio.  She has always loved to dress up and looks forward to Halloween all year!  We had such a fun time dressing up as cats together and painting!  A good time was definitely had by all!! :)

We also had a great time a few weeks ago painting this fun Halloween scene at a Kids Painting Class.

Such fun happenings at this time of the year!  I've been keeping busy teaching and enjoying all of the inspiration the Autumn season brings!  So many wonderful colors, scenes and scents.  I just love it!  Along with all the busyness of normal life, my family has been moving into a time of big transition and big change!  I'll share more soon, but in the mean time, I hope you have a frightfully fun Halloween and enjoy your haunting tonight!

Bugs and hisses,

Jenn

I Remember...

American Soldier
by Jennifer Snellings
Painted at Painting With a Twist Studio


Ten  years ago today, I was teaching my young art students (kinder - 4th grade) and desperately trying to hear snippets from the radio without letting them know what was happening. The Internet was frozen with so many trying to learn the latest. My Principal brought in a memo updating us on what had happened and instructing us to not say anything to the kids.  I felt so helpless and scared. I couldn't wait to get home!  After school we met as a faculty, were updated with the latest and told to go home to our families.  The practice I scheduled with my Color Guard girls was cancelled that afternoon.   That night my husband and I sat glued to our TV unable to believe what we were seeing before us. 

The next day, back at school for our morning assembly, we stood proudly and sang, as we did everyday, our National Anthem, but that day we did it with tears streaming down our faces and a new understanding for what our flag stands for.

Thinking about and praying today for so many whose lives were forever changed that day, ten years ago. Forever thankful to the brave men and women who serve our great country in the military, fire and rescue, and police forces. 

I remember...always!

Catching up

Photo by Jared Tarbell on Flickr

Last month turned out to be super busy! Actually, this summer has just flown by! I can’t believe it is about time for school to start back. It seems like just yesterday we were saying goodbye to the last school year. With the kids home for the summer most of my time has been focused on them, but I have had a few opportunities to catch up on some painting. Here are the two watercolor pieces, from this earlier post as well as this one, finally completed.



Daisy by Jennifer Snellings
Watercolor and Ink




Lily by Jennifer Snellings
Watercolor and Ink

 I love watercolor and so enjoyed playing and capturing the softness of the flowers. I do want to continue experimenting with layering and trying to use collage with watercolor. I find it to be more challenging because the watercolor is so very transparent. It is all about building layer upon layer. I like where it is going, but definitely need to play some more!!

With school starting up again I plan on carving out more time to create! I’ve got so many new ideas for the fall! Can’t wait to show you!! 

Happy creating!
Jennifer

A New Adventure!!!



Racing The Storm
PWaT painting by Jennifer Snellings
Acrylic on canvas

If you remember back a few weeks ago in this post, I mentioned a big decision I was prayerfully considering!!  I’m so excited to finally share some news and let you in on what has been keeping me so busy lately!  I’ve been asked to join the team of artists at my local Painting With a Twist studio!  I couldn’t be more thrilled and delighted to be teaching again!  I’ve already had my first class which was a surprise birthday party.  We had such a great time and the girls created some beautiful artwork!  It is amazing how God works and brings new and exciting opportunities and blessings into our lives!  This is definitely one of those times and I’m so thankful for it!

God Bless America!



My Hero
by Jennifer Snellings
Watercolor



"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave."

~ Elmer Davis

So blessed to live in a country where we have the freedom and liberty to choose who we love, where we worship, our profession and the way we want to live our lives!  So thankful for all of the brave men and women who fought to make this country what it is, and for those who are fighting today to keep us safe! 

Have a wonderful 4th of July!  Hope you enjoy all of the family picnics, bar-b-ques, fireworks, patriotic music, and jumping in the pool fun to be had!!  :) 

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty."  ~ John F. Kennedy

Happy Independence Day!!

Jennifer

Summer Sweetness



Photo by Tamaki on Flickr



"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time." ~John Lubbock

Summertime is here and I’ve been enjoying the slower pace of life! Life never really slows down, the ebb and flow just changes depending on the time of year. Now that school is out and both the kids are home we don’t have to rush out early everyday to school, but we’ve had plenty to keep us busy.

Here are a few things I ♥ about summer…

Sleeping in…a little ☺

Swimming at the pool

A visit to the grandparents

The Library’s summer reading program

Water gun fights

Afternoon naps

Swim lessons

Longer days

The rare thunderstorm

Art fun: play dough, crayons and coloring books, watercolor painting

Slip and slide in the backyard

Dinners together with fresh fruits, veggies and cooking from the grill

Morning Dance-offs with Just Dance Kids on the Wii

Staying up late reading

Watching the fun and freedom of being a kid

Photo by michibanban on Flickr

“Summer is where the girls go barefoot and their hearts are just as free as their toes.” ~ Unknown

What do you love about summertime?

In between pool visits and keeping the kids busy this summer, I've been trying to squeeze in a bit of time in the studio!  It has definitely been challenging!  I do have some new paintings to share and I'll also be letting you in on some big news...coming soon!! :)

How are you finding time to create during these hot summer months?

Happy creating,
Jennifer

Painting With a Twist

I had a wonderful time last night at my first ever "painting party" at Painting With a Twist!  If you've never heard of it,  PWaT is a really neat place to go for a girls night out with some friends.  They also host private parties or whatever fun event you'd like to plan!  Everyone follows along and paints with an instructor while visiting with each other and snacking on yummies.  At the end of the night we all left with a finished painting.  So fun!!

Here is my finished piece from the evening!!!!

I just love the idea behind PWaT!  I think it is wonderful that they show their customers that ANYONE can create art!  People are being exposed to creating in a way they may have never before thought was possible for them!  One story was shared that after taking several PWaT classes a student then began exploring and creating art on her own at home.  It opened up a whole new world to her, just by getting a paintbrush in her hands and therefore boosting her confidence.  So very cool!! :)

I am prayerfully considering a really big, exciting decision right now!  God is so good to open amazing doors of opportunity, just when you're least expecting them!  I can't wait to share more...soon!!! :)

Happy creating!!
Jennifer

Paint Splatters and Sticky Fingers

I've been trying to get into the studio and spend at least 30 minutes a day painting.  It isn't very much time, but I'm trying to embrace the whole idea of getting things done in small pockets of time rather than lengthy sessions.  Those wonderful lengthy sessions of spending two, three or even four hours painting away in uninterrupted bliss just don't happen these days and I've had to get creative to make time to be creative!  One of the blessings of being a creative Mommy; painting in between the Lego messes, cuddles while reading, and chasing after sticky fingers before they touch the furniture!

I've been slowing working on the watercolor pieces I started from the photos I took of the flowers blooming in my front yard.  Here is a peek at the progress so far:



I'm still working on the idea of layering within a watercolor painting.  I had some fun using my paintbrush to "splatter" some paint across the pieces.  I think next I may try some more stamping.  I'm loving getting reacquainted with my watercolors!  It has been a long time since I've used them.  I do find myself missing my acrylics, though!  I feel the need to get my hands messy while creating another layered background!  So much to do, so little time!! :)

How do you make time in your busy schedule to be creative?  I'd love to know!!

Happy creating!

Jennifer

SPRING is in the air...and a little ART too!!

I’ve totally been hit with Spring Fever!!  The weather has been gorgeous and sunny, even though it is quite windy.  I’ve loved spending time outside and seeing all the newness…new growth, trees budding, flowers blooming, grass greening and kids playing.  The changing of the seasons is always such a neat time.  I’m always so excited to see the transformation from winter to spring, from brown and grey to colorfully alive! 

Photos taken in my front yard.

 I’ve been enjoying the flowers blooming in my front yard and they’ve been inspiring me to paint and create with my watercolors!  I just love how the paint flows so softly and captures the essence of spring!  Fun, fun playing with paint!!  Here is a sneak peek at what I’ve been up to in the studio:

These are currently works in progress and aren't finished yet.  I've been enjoying just playing and experimenting with the paint.  I decided to use some stamps with waterproof ink to break up the blank paper and add some layering to the background as I got started.  I've been wanting to play with the idea of watercolor and collage and using the transparency of the paint to reveal the many layers that have been built up on the paper.  I'll post soon the finished pieces! 

Hope you are enjoying your spring days and finding some time to be creative!  I also wanted to wish everyone a wonderful and blessed Easter weekend!

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead..."  

~ 1 Peter 1:3

Happy creating!

Jennifer

Introducing My New Etsy Shop!!!

I'm so excited to share that I've finally opened up my own shop on Etsy and my artwork is officially for sale! 



www.etsy.com/shop/TatteredArtStudio



I have a few paintings already in my shop and will continue to add more in the coming days!  I've also got some new pieces currently in progress and can't wait to show you the finished results soon!

I'd love it if you'd head over to my shop and check it out!  By the way, if you know of anyone looking for some new artwork for their home, I'd be honored if you'd send them my way!!! :)

Also, I now have a Facebook Artist's Page where you can find updates, information on sales, photos of my work and lots more!  I would love for you to stop by and see what I've been up to there as well!

Thanks so much and happy creating!
Jennifer

In the Studio

Wow...life has been busy lately!  I have several paintings in progress patiently waiting on me to get them finished.  Here is a peek at what I've been working on...

I'm excited about these pieces and ready to get them finished up.  I haven't had as much time to paint as I would like lately and I'm itching to get back to them! 

The past few weeks I've been working hard on getting my new Etsy shop opened up and I'm super excited about this new step!  I'll announce here when it is ready!  I've had the amazing privilege of working with Wyanne again as my creative coach/mentor.  I know I've said it before, but she is an incredible teacher and has an amazing gift of bringing out a person's true, unique inner artist.  I highly recommend any of her classes.  I've grown and learned so much about myself and my art under her guidance!!  She is such a blessing, an inspiration and has so much wisdom to share!!

I am, as always, challenged with the "art" of balancing everything...my painting, working on my creative business and of course taking care of my family and spending time with them.  How do you fit it all in?

Happy creating!!
Jennifer

Next Steps



photo by Leithcote on Flickr



"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."
~ Martin Luther King Jr.

I’ve loved creating art for as long as I can remember. The act of drawing, painting, and using “found treasures” to create something new and beautiful has always given me a feeling of contentment, fulfillment and joy. As a child I loved being creative and exploring all I could about art.


My "Crayon Apron"...a birthday gift - age 6



Receiving my first easel, drawing pad and portfolio - age 10

 
All throughout school I took art classes, continued to explore all types of art and even had my first art show in High School. I was inspired by life that was happening around me; my friends, growing up and learning what it meant to spread my wings and fly.




Retrospective Art Show - Senior year of High School, 1994
Created a Beatnik Coffeehouse with two fellow art students.

 

Artwork by Jennifer Snellings 1994




Artwork by Jennifer Snellings 1994



Watercolor painting by Jennifer Snellings
Created in High School (1994)
Inspired by my father who passed away a few months earlier


I went on to focus on my love of art in college and graduated with a degree in Art Education and a certificate to teach grades K -12. I remember my first day as a school art teacher and feeling so excited to share my love of art with my students!

My classroom - Aubrey Elementary School, Aubrey Texas

Classroom

In 2003 I entered a new chapter in my life and I began the journey of motherhood. I stopped teaching to stay home with my daughter and really focused on her and lost my art for a little while. A few years later I rediscovered it again and started painting with a new found passion. My art became even more of a necessity in my life; a way to not loose myself in all of my other roles that were equally important to me, but focused more on caring for others. My art became a way to nurture my soul, a place to let out the musings, dreams and thoughts inside me. I learned I have to make time to create. There is an emptiness that comes with the absence of creating and I feel it when I haven’t held the paintbrush in my hands for a while. When I care for that part of me I’m better able to care for and nurture the ones I love.


Painting in my studio

 Recently, I’ve been feeling more and more that I need to take the “next step” with my art; I’ve felt God’s urging to start a new chapter in my artistic journey! I feel like my purpose is to not only create it, but to send it out there into the world to hopefully make a difference. It is scary to me to take this step. All kinds of fears creep in…the fear of failure, of rejection, of being hurt. My art is personal and of course I want others to embrace it! But, regardless of my fears I want to step out in faith and see what happens, scary as that may be! I want to be brave!

For awhile now I’ve dreamed of setting up my own online shop that features my paintings. I’ve been inspired and encouraged by so many other artists, many like me who are wives and moms, who have ventured ahead and created this amazing world of online shops and blogs. I’m so excited, grateful and humbled to be a part of it! Such amazing opportunities we have before us now!! I don’t want to miss this chance I have been given!

Each year I love to choose a word to be my “One Little Word” for the year. A word that inspires me, motivates me, and helps me to focus on the goals I want to achieve. This year I’ve chosen the word Fearless.

Fearless –adjective without fear; bold or brave; intrepid.

I want to be fearless in moving forward with my dreams and not allowing the doubts, worries, uncertainties and reservations to seep in and render me unproductive. I want to be fearless with my painting and stretch, grow and gain new grounds as an artist. I want to be fearless with my goals and aspirations, embracing them and taking chances, moving forward and creating a different place in my life than where I am right now. I want to “take that first step even when I don’t see the whole staircase”!



"Create" mixed media painting
by Jennifer Snellings

 Making art is part of the fabric of my soul, my being. It is a gift from my Creator, the One who made me, and is there to be nurtured and explored and used for His glory and purposes! I’m so excited to see what the future holds! I hope you’ll join me on this journey! That you will follow along and perhaps be inspired to fearlessly embrace and move forward with your dreams as well!! I’m so looking forward to it!

Happy creating!
Jennifer

Remembering...



{Photo by Caboindex on Flickr}

"As my sufferings mounted I soon realized that there were two ways in which I could respond to my situation -- either to react with bitterness or seek to transform the suffering into a creative force. I decided to follow the latter course."

— Martin Luther King Jr.

On this MLK Day I want to remember!  Remember what an inspirational man he was and life he led!  How beautiful that he used his life to make a difference for others, to make our world a better place. 

I want that.... to make a difference, even a small one.

I truly feel God has put each of us here with a purpose, a purpose larger than ourselves, to make a difference in this world for Him and for others.  I know He has also equipped us with everything we need to carry that purpose out and He wants us to look to Him for strength, inspiration, courage and help persevering along the way.  

This is something I am so passionate about; discovering your God given gifts, your purpose, and putting them to use.  A few years ago I read a book that changed my life: Pathway to Purpose for Women: Connecting Your To-Do List, Your Passions, and God's Purposes For Your Life.   This was the beginning of a new path for me, an understanding of my purposes in life.  I was very focused on being a good wife and mother, and I love those roles and cherish them, and want to be good at them...but I was missing a piece of myself.  I wasn't nurturing the creative being within me, the creative soul that God made me to be.  So, I began painting again and creating new art, for the first time in many many years.  I was (and still am) so inspired by Him, His Word and His influence in my life and the lives of others in ways I've never been inspired before!  I want my art to be a light in this world.  A glimpse into who this amazing God is.  I want to use the gift He has given me to make a difference!

I continue to move forward now and pursue that purpose, to use my art for His Glory, to share His hand print on my life with others.  I don't know where He is taking me, but I'm committed to this journey and enjoying all that I'm learning about Him and myself along the way.  I have big, scary (to me) plans and I can't wait to see how He blesses them and what the future holds!!!

Thank you Mr. Martin Luther King, for changing our world for the better.  Thank you for making a difference in all of our lives.  Thank you for inspiring me to listen to God's whisper in my heart and not be afraid to move forward with the purpose He has for me.

What is your purpose?  I'd love to hear all about it!!! :)

Let it Snow!

Today we are enjoying our first snowfall of the season!  We don't get many here in this area, so it is a special treat! 

It has been so nice to sit and watch the snow coming down from inside our cozy home, with my favorite new slippers my mom gave me for Christmas and a cup of steaming hot cocoa! 

We've also had fun playing outside, making a snowman and a snow castle! My youngest wasn't quite sure what all the white stuff was and never really took to it; he's not used to it feeling so cold yet!  But we had lots of fun and I always treasure these snowy days that are such a rare gift!

Coming soon...a sneak peak at what I've been working on in my studio and my One Little Word for the year!! :)

Happy Creating,
Jennifer