New Website!

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I'm so excited to finally share with you a new project I've been working on!  I'd love to introduce you to my new website!  Beginning now my creative online home will be moving to www.tatteredartstudio.com!  I'd love for you to come check it out, see my artwork, read my blog and keep up with my creative adventures here at my new space!!  Thank you so very much for your interest in my work and I look forward to connecting with you in my new creative space!

See you soon!
Jennifer

Happy New Year!

"Each new day is a blank page in the diary of your life.  The secret of success is in turning that diary into the best story you possibly can."  ~ Douglas Pagels

 



 

The new year always brings with it a feeling of new beginnings, a clean slate to dream and plan for the next 365 days.  A new year where new possibilities await and new adventures are looked forward to.  Do you come up with a plan for your new year?  Do you create resolutions or goals? 

For the past several years I've come up with One Little Word to focus on for the year.  It is always a fun process.  I think about the year before and where I've come from, what I've accomplished and then look to the year ahead.  I think and pray about what I feel God is moving me to do.  Often I feel like He brings me my word!  This year I've chosen:



I want to see new growth in my life this year.  Of course this is something I strive for every year; I want to be further along in life at the end of each year than I was at the beginning.  But this year I want to more intentionally focus on making aspects of my life stronger.  I want to really challenge myself to grow in my relationships, my spiritual life, my art, my business and my service to others around me.  I don't want to just be the "status quo" day by day, but to continually ask myself  "What can I do to GROW in this area". 

To help me do this I've set some goals to strive for.  For example, I love to read, but never feel like I really make the time for it.  I end up collecting more and more books; you should see my bookshelves and my Kindle...oh my!  I start them, but never really get around to finishing them.  This year I want to read books on marriage, on parenting and on creating that will help me to grow in those areas of my life.  I challenge myself to read one book a month covering these categories.  I also want to read some good fiction novels as well!!

This month I'm diving into the following yummy books:

Women Living Well: Find Your Joy in God, Your Man, Your Kids and Your Home by Courtney Joseph (spiritual, marriage, parenting)

Creative Thursday: Everyday Inspiration to Grow Your Creative Practice  by Marisa Anne Cummings

So, what goals or new resolutions have you set for yourself this year?  Have you come up with One Little Word to guide you this year?  Are you reading any good books this month?  I'd love some recommendations!!

The Legacy Tree

Not too long ago I had the privilege of creating two custom pieces for a dear friend to give as special gifts to loved ones.  She was wanting something handmade, unique and personalized for two very important people in her family. So after visiting with her and getting some ideas of what she was looking for I created these two mixed media paintings.



created by Jennifer Snellings
mixed media, 11"x14"

close up of branches

close up of verse



created by Jennifer Snellings
mixed media, 11"x14"

close up

The paintings include collaged papers, acrylic paint, family names, special word attributes, and a bible verse: "Generation after generation stands in awe of your work; each one tells stories of your mighty acts." ~ Psalm 145:4. 

She was thrilled with the way they turned out and I was so honored to have been involved in creating a special keepsake for her family!

The holidays are fast approaching and I wanted to offer a unique gift idea for a special family member!  Maybe for the person who has everything and you never know what to give them!  The Legacy Tree is a unique, handmade, customized mixed media painting.  We will work together picking out size, colors, names included and any other special features you'd like your painting to include.

Contact me for more information if you are interested, but please act quickly as my custom orders for the holidays are filling up!  tatteredartstudio@gmail.com 

Happy creating,
Jennifer

Summer Daze into a Fall Haze

 

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Wow! What a whirlwind these last few months have been!!  It is hard to believe the summer is over, school has started back up and the fun of the Autumn months is upon us.  Not the heat of course; it's still a simmering 90+ degrees here in Texas!  But, we have hopes for that first real cool front to come through soon! We've been busy getting back into those all familiar routines and schedules with the beginning of school and all that comes with it.

We had a great summer!  Probably all the more reason it flew by!  The kids and I were kept very busy with drama camp and a month full of swim lessons!  I enjoyed watching my kids become stronger swimmers and more confidant in the water.  They loved being outside and being able to find relief from the heat in the water.



Diving Board Brave

We also made time for a family vacation to the beach and enjoyed some much needed R & R after a busy summer of my husband traveling with the youth on their annual summer camp and mission trips.  We headed to Galveston and stayed at the amazing historical Hotel Galvez!


In the lobby of the Galvez.

We enjoyed lounging at the pool!



And had fun jumping in the waves!

On the artsy side of things, I've been teaching a lot this summer which is always fun! 




The Painting With a Twist studio where I work.

Also the studio franchise where I work held a company wide art contest for new art to be created for our gallery.  I submitted two paintings that can be taught individually or together as a couples painting.  I used several of my favorite things...trees, words and some of my favorite colors.  I'm hoping it is a painting that people will be excited to come paint at the studios and then hang in their homes!  They are called Faith Trees.

My PWaT submission: Faith Trees 1 and 2
Created by Jennifer Snellings 16"x20", acrylic paint

I'm teaching both of them later this month.  I can't wait to see how everyone's turns out!!

Finally, our big news is that we moved...again!  LOL!  This time thankfully, it was just about 5 minutes away from where we used to live.  We found a larger home directly in the neighborhood where our daughter goes to school!  This home was totally a God thing; He brought all the details together.  I'm especially excited to now have my own studio space, while my hubby will have his own office/man cave space!  No more cramped sharing!  Not that I don't love working in the same room, it will just be nice to have the extra space!!  So, we've been unpacking and settling into our new place.  We really love it!  I'll show you a little peak of my new studio space soon!!

 

Well, I'm so excited that Autumn is finally here and I'm looking forward to the fun fall happenings that come with it....like the weather changing, visiting the pumpkin patch, sipping warm cider and cozy homemade soup nights.  It makes me want to do some fall creating as well!!  Maybe some autumn trees with all the beautiful colors are in order!

 

 

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Happy creating,
Jenn

 

Catalyst 2013

 

Catalyst Dallas

I had the privilege of attending the Catalyst Conference last month with several leaders and staff from my church.  Wow!  What an amazing experience!  I'm still trying to unpack and take in all I learned and experienced there!  We were able to hear incredible speakers such as Andy Stanley, Craig Groeschel, Jon Acuff, Erwin McManus, Dave Ramsey and two of my absolute favorites, Lysa Turkeurst and Brene Brown! 

Along with the great speakers, we had breathtaking worship with Matt Redman, Anthony Evans and David Crowder.  So very moving and exciting to sing along in person with some of my favorite artists!!

David Crowder - Catalyst

 

There were so many things I loved about this conference.  It motivated me, encouraged me, challenged me, stretched me and moved me.  Aside from the outstanding speakers and awesome worship, one of my favorite parts was seeing other artists in action and the fact that they used visual artists as part of the worship and overall experience. 

This was the amazing Hannah Renae Joiner painting live as her Dad, Reggie Joiner spoke.



Hannah Joiner - Catalyst



Catalyst

We also had an artist on stage creating live with a pottery wheel.  Unfortunately I missed her name, but it was awesome to watch her create!


Creating - Catalyst

I LOVE the images captured by the photographer(s) at Catalyst.  They are works of art in themselves!!


I'll talk more about the impact Catalyst had on me later, but for now I want to speak into the need for more visual artists to use their art to worship and witness and share God's love.  It is my prayer that churches will begin to embrace like never before the visual arts and create opportunities for painters, sculptors, printmakers, illustrators, etc. to have the stage along side the amazing musicians, dancers and speakers who are already there.  I want to see Visual Arts Ministries blossoming up in churches everywhere, opening the doors to artists in the communities than may...or may not...be believers.  I want us to use this gift God has given us to create for His Kingdom purposes...for His glory and honor!!! 

So artists, who is with me?  I know it is happening out there, but are you a part of it?  Lets rise up and make this a mainstay in our communities today! 

Have you thought about praying about a Visual Arts Ministry at your church?

Happy creating,
Jenn

"Inocente"

Red Heart by Inocente

Did you stay up to watch the Oscars last night?  I have always had a tradition of watching the show.  It actually all started when my mom was pregnant with me!  She tells the story of watching the awards while she was counting the minutes between contractions on that night some 30+ years ago!!  Okay, I'm showing my age!! :)  Back then the Academy Awards were on the end of March, and always fell close to my birthday.  Now they are on in February, but I still never miss them!

Last night I was so inspired and moved by "Inocente", the film that won the Oscar for best short documentary.

Oh how I love this story....




Amazing, isn't she!!  When the film directors accepted their award last night along with Inocente, filmmaker Sean Fine shared a passionate plea for unity among artists and unwavering support for the arts in our communities.  “This young lady…was homeless just a year ago. She’s an artist, and all of you are artists. And we feel like we need to start supporting the arts. They’re dying in our communities…We need to stand up and help girls like her be seen and heard.” 

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When he said this I wanted to run up on stage and just hug him, not that I was there to do so, but I applaud him nonetheless!!  What a wonderful show of support for the arts and I believe this includes support for the arts in schools as well!  As an art educator, of course this is a cause that is so very dear to my heart.  I believe with the education budget cuts and higher focus on the state tests, the arts, especially the visual arts it seems, are being done away with at a high rate!  In fact, when I left my teaching job to move to another city for my husband's new job and have our first child, the art program in my elementary school was done away with rather than finding a replacement art teacher!

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We must continue to fight this!  We must stand up and fight for the arts in our schools!  Parents need to be the voices for their children!  Teachers and parenets need to continue to advicate for the importance of the arts.  It has been proven time and again that the arts have a significant impact on the success of student performace in all areas of education.  Here is a great article on the importance of art in child development as well as in academic performace. 

I hope you are encouraged to make a pledge to support the arts!  Expose your kids to the theater, museums, classes, and artists that you may know.  Support them in their passions, especially if they are showing a love for creative pursuits. 

God is the ultimate Master Artist.  He was the first Creator and what is so incredible is that He instilled in us the ability and gift to create for Him!  I'm so very thankful for this!!

"Yet you, Lord, are our Father.
We are the clay, you are the potter;
we are all the work of your hand."

Isaiah 64:8

If you would like to see "Inocente" the documentary, it is on Itunes and can be found here!!

Happy creating,
Jennifer









Hello 2013!!!

 

Happy New Year!!!

 

 

 

From my family to yours, wishing you a wonderful, blessed and prosperous 2013!

 

"We will open the book. Its pages are blank.

We are going to put words on them ourselves.

The book is called Opportunity

and its first chapter is New Year's Day."

~  Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Merry Christmas!!!

Hoping you and yours have a wonderful holiday!! 

"But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'"
~ Luke 2:10-12

Autumn's Palette

Fun in the leaves!!
 

Now that we are approaching the end of September, Autumn seems to be finally on its way.  Here in Texas it stays quite hot into October, but this weekend we are looking forward to rain and cooler temperatures!  I can't wait!!  I just love this time of the year and all that comes with it!  The amazing colors alone make me so happy!  I've got my fall decorations out and I'm enjoying my new Scentsy Pumpkin warmer and yummy fall scents throughout my home! 

My daughter's cute Halloween Painting from PWaT last year!

The Painting With a Twist studio is even getting into the fall fun with Autumn paintings like this one I taught recently!

 

 

 

I've also been having fun playing in my art journal.  I've been wanting to start Art Journaling for a while now and I've finally jumped in.  I just found an old book at a resale shop and began painting pages for the backgrounds. 

 

 

 

For this page I just sketched on the book page words and all. I love the texture and interest the words in the background create!

 

 

Next I used my Portfolio Water Soluble Oil Pastels to add some color.



 
Finally I used water and my paintbrush to "paint" the oil pastels creating the colors of the tree. I don't think I'm finished yet. I'd still like to add some leaves with different types of paper.

 



Oh, I'm so in the mood to create some fun fall pieces!!  I want to paint pumpkins, and leaves, and cute little trick or treaters!!  How about you?  Have you been bitten by the "fall" creative bug?

Happy creating,
Jennifer

Healing

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My One Little Word for this year has been "heal".  After a tough and tramatic 2011 with our family facing unemployment, then a big move, and a death in our family, I felt I needed some time this year to focus on healing, resting, nurturing my heart and being kind to myself. 




Photo Credit 

One of the ways I've done this is to work on nurturing my creative soul.  I've gotten back to the basics and have been taking some wonderful online classes from Christy Tomlinson, Junelle Jacobson, Gritty Jane, and Jeanne Oliver.  I've been sketching and searching and playing and trying new things!  I've been allowing myself to rest and rediscover my loves and what inspires me.  I'm working on surrounding myself with other, like minded, kindred spirits who can love, support and encourage me and I them.




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I'm really looking forward to jumping back into my art making and creating now.  I feel like I'm ready to dive back in and create like hopefully never before!  I hope I will in turn continue to heal, grow, flourish, thrive, be strong in my life, and in turn encourage and nurture others!!

Do you have One Little Word that you've been processing, living and nurturing this year?  I'd love to hear about it!!

Happy creating!
♥ Jennifer




Summer Lovin'

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Summer is in full swing here at our house and boy do I wish this was my view!! :) We aren't at the beach, but the kids are home from school and we are trying to survive the hot Texas heat with fun activities to keep us cool.  It is nice in the evenings thankfully, and we've been able to grill and play on our new swing set!  Super fun!!!

I decided one thing to do this summer to keep us busy is to start doing some art journaling!  I'm altering an old book I picked up at the used book store and my kids are having fun with the Smash books from K&Company.  I found an awesome online class, Kidding Around 3, for them to take through Big Picture Classes that provides a journaling prompt daily.  They've been having a blast with it and it is a great way to get them creatively documenting their summer and practicing their writing skills!!  If you are interested in joining us, registration closes tonight at 10:00pm PDT, so hurry on over!!!

Are any of you avid art journalers?  I've been wanting to try my hand at this for awhile but have had trouble finding time.  How do you fit your art journaling in and still balance your other art creating?  Those of you with young kids at home for the summer, how are you keeping them busy so you can get some creative time in?  I'd love some ideas and tips!!

Happy creating,
Jenn

You Make Beautiful Things....

Wooden cross in the prayer garden at our church

Happy Belated Easter!  I hope your holiday was wonderful and an amazing celebration of Christ's special gift of love and saving grace!  Our weeks have been full and busy.  I can hardly believe we are already halfway through April!  My, how time truly flies... 

I've been super busy creating the past few weeks.  I had the privilege of doing my first "live" painting during the Easter services at our church last week.  What an exhilarating, scary, but amazing experience it was!!  It was most definitely all God!  I prayed He'd show up and He never let me down!  It usually takes many hours to complete one of my artworks and when I was first approached I was thinking there is no way I can do a piece during the 3 to 4 minutes of a worship song.  But shortly thereafter, the ideas starting rolling and I knew God was speaking and gently pushing me to step out of my comfort zone!

 I knew I'd have to do a lot of the background layered work before hand.  The idea was to create as I usually do with multi layers of paint and collage elements but then leave some dramatic finishing touches to do while painting live.  I had to work larger than I normally do which was a challenge in itself!  I decided to use two (one for each service) 40" x 60" canvases.  Here is a peek at my process:

First layer of paint; getting rid of that intimidating blank, white canvas!

More paint (white blended into the center)

Both canvases in my studio

Collage papers

Placing collage pieces

Using matte medium to glue collage pieces down



A closer look!

I use found papers, scrapbooking papers, tissue paper and what ever else I can get my hands on in my collage work! 



Layering more paint and design elements



Notice the darker elements are around the edges and the lighter elements are in the center.  There is a reason for that....!

More layering

Here I'm adding actual bible pages from an old bible as collage elements

I love to tear my collage pieces!

My next step was to create a mask in the shape of a cross.  To do this I just tore poster board and taped it down with painter's tape onto each canvas.

My last step was to paint over the crosses to make them less noticeable. I also painted the outlying areas of the canvases a mix of black, dark crimson and red. I payed close attention to the edges of the crosses, making sure they were painted well and made sure some of the darker colors blended off into the surrounding background.

Now I was ready to paint live at the Easter services!!  I gathered up my paint, brushes, some printing supplies and a small cup for water and put them all into a black box to set underneath the easel on stage. Here is what happened next.....

Our worship pastor chose the song "You Make Beautiful Things" by Gungor and put together a wonderful arrangement that actually gave me around 8 minutes on stage.  It worked beautifully!

The paintings illustrate the separation between our sin and the saving gift of eternal life that Christ provides us with through the cross.  I wrote the words death and sin on the cross before pulling it off and revealing the pure, clean, softer colors underneath.  Hopefully the paintings share the true meaning of Easter with each viewer!



Close up after revealing cross



 

Me with my painting!! :)

I still need to add a few finishing touches to the paintings.  I always see areas that I feel need more layering or something else added.  I think I'll add some of the words from the song lyrics as well!  I'll post photos of the finished piece soon.  I think one will be on display in the church for a bit and then I'll put it in my Etsy shop.  The other one has already been requested for purchase!  Super excited about that blessing!! :)