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