"Sail Forward"
16x20, acrylic on canvas

Available at Artistree Co-op (Orlando, FL)



Well, yes...it has been a while since my last post.  I know...I know.  I do not have any new excuses to give everyone but the same old, same old.  Chaos, family life, paint all over my hands...do any of those work???

Above is a piece that I created for the back wall of Artistree (for the month of December).  The theme was "joy"...and immediately, exactly what I created is exactly what had popped into my head when I heard the theme...I love it when canvases work out that way!  For some reason I had been wanting to do a sail boat for a long time...and now...here it is!  I love the phrase too! Words to live by...

With joy in your heart and passion in your soul

Sail towards a life filled with

Gratitude, love and kindness

Regardless, it is always fun to post and share although it is far in-between.  I am going to try and challenge myself in 2011 and post once a day...but add a little something to each post so that everyone can learn something new everyday.  My focus/theme is going to be: "Keep it Simple".  I am at a time in my life right now where I am truly trying to simplify how I do things while being a wife, a mom to four girls and creator of many things.  My goal is simple although the journey getting there might not necessarily be.  As I learn how to simplify, I will share ideas, suggestions, etc. with everyone along the way. So I hope that everyone is excited about learning a little more about the "simple" life as I am!  I guess the queen of chaos is a little tired of being so chaotic!  Just a little... 

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  We all have so much to be thankful for...big and small blessings are all around us on a daily basis.  I for one am very thankful for that first sip of coffee in the morning!  It is like heaven to me!

I need to get back to "life" now.  Back to chasing Curran around the house, dirty dishes, crumbs on the floor and being creative!

Have a wonderfully, artful day!

JM 



Colorful Chaos...

"find your happy place"

10 x10 acrylic on canvas

Ahh...my new favorite!  I am in love with the phrase!

"life's purpose..."

12 x 16 acrylic on canvas

"unleash your soul"

12 x 12 acrylic on canvas

"love hoo you are"

18 x 24 acrylic on canvas

"flourish"

22 x 30 acrylic on canvas

My new bird bookmarks are now

available in my Etsy shop!

Yes...I have not posted in a while!  I have been busy painting, doing a little bit of sewing as well as keeping up with my graphic design clients!  Oh...and 4 kids and homework!  Whew!!!!  That was a mouthful!

Anyway - I wanted to share my latest creations with you!

I hope everyone is having a colorful week!

Live Artfully,

JM



Mom's Night Out Mixed Media Workshop

My next Mom's Night Out Mixed Media Workshop is just around the corner!  It is set for Saturday, October 9th at 5pm!  One of the other moms helped me decide which project to focus on for this workshop and so a whimsical Christmas sign it is!  Of course one does not have to do the same exact sign...but the use of paper, Mod Podge, acrylic paints, gel pens, watercolor crayons, wood, wire and ribbons is a must! One can create an angel, Santa, a snowman, just a tree, you name it!  I will have lots of on-the-spot creativity to offer!

The workshop is $40 per person and ALL SUPPLIES are included!  (Please click on the above image for more details!).  The deadline to register is Friday, October 1st so register soon!

You can register via my website at http://www.jennifermccully.com/ and then go to the events page.

I look forward to seeing everyone there!

Live Artfully,

JM

Love HOO you are...

18x18

"love hoo you are"

This canvas was created for a little girl named Sophie!

You can see that her baby stats are written within the leaves on the flower.

Enjoy Sophie!!!  I hope you LOVE IT!

Well...meet my newest product!  Lucy!

Back of Lucy...

The pocket on the back was left unsewn at the top so that it COULD

double as a tooth fairy pillow! (just an extra perk!)

Macie named her Lucy...and she belongs to Macie now so she can call her whatever she wants!

I will be creating a collection of these little owl pillows in all different colors (and sizes) and they will be available in my Etsy shop...and maybe Artistree Co-op.  I will let everyone know once they are available.  You can see that I am getting a chance to mix some of my mixed media techniques/style with fabric!!!  Needless to say, I am really having fun!

Living in creative bliss,

JM

Sew Cute!!!

Over sized Owl Pillow, approx. 24 in. high

Back of Owl Pillow...

I MUST have a sewing bug!  I made this over sized owl pillow over the weekend...my first pillow EVER and I think it came out adorable!  I actually made it for one of my daughter's friends who has a birthday this week!  Of course now that my girls saw this pillow they are determined to have one of their own!  All I can say is...Christmas is coming up!

I am working on a new canvas today...incorporating an owl and an over sized flower...I promise to share when it is done! I am working on some mini sewing projects in between drying time on the canvas too!  Only if they turn out well will I actually share those with you too!  :-)

I hope everyone is having an artful week so far!

JM

Creative Bliss...

  "Unleash your Soul" 16x16

SOLD

This is one of my new favorites! I still cannot get enough color.

I feel like I have so much creativity, color and passion locked up inside

me that I am having a hard time getting it out...

or, I am not getting it out fast enough!

"Lulu" 16x16

Available at Artistree Co-op in College Park

I FINALLY finished my Giraffe!  I started it at

my art camp this year!

Shown are some of the books that I have read recently or

am in the middle of reading!  I am really enjoying them!

Curran...on her way to her buddy Bradley's birthday party last month!

She is such a whimsical diva...

My girls are wearing the FSU tees that I made

out of FSU fabric!

This is a pillowcase that I recently made for a dear friend's

sons birthday.

I made this for "the queen", that is what I call my fabulous mother-in-law!  I did not think she would

be crazy about wearing an tee with a fabric design on it so I was lucky enough to find this

super soft tee nightgown at Target and added my own magic!  I think I might have to go get myself one!

 

Last but never least, I created this for Phil's Aunt Janet.

The leaves have her family member's initials on them and the house

number is her and her husband's anniversary.

Hello all!  Wow!  This is like the least amount of time in-between posts for me!  I dunno know...does anyone care???  I sometimes stress about what the heck I am suppose to do or say on my blog but I decided this week that I should not be stressing...I just need to write what is on my mind.  What I am feeling...what I am creating, etc.  That can't be that hard can it?!?!?

I dove into creating again this week.  A little bit of this, a little bit of that.  I created a new casserole this week using chicken and broccoli.  Let's just say my kids were soooo not into it!  At least Phil and I liked it!  Needless to say, I won't be making THAT again! 

I have also been into reading a lot lately!  I read so much in high school and before kids but now...finding a book that is as chaotic as my life is kinda hard.  I end up reading the first one or two chapters and dropping it.  But lately, certain titles and recommendations have peaked my interest so I decided to pick up a book again.  And, well, I am in the middle of reading 4 right now!  Imagine that!  I also realized the TYPE of books I like to read...hmmm....I guess it should not take 37 years to figure this out but in my case I truly learn something everyday.  I am inspired everyday by all sorts of odds and end things. 

I have also started to sew more lately.  Now, get this....I am NOT a sewer!  My mother is the one that sews...but she bought me a sewing machine in high school or right after high school (I can't remember) and I managed to squeeze only ONE sewing class in about 2 years ago and that was that!  But, I wanted to make something special for my girls this past Valentine's Day...and so I set out to make them each a pillowcase with fabric sewn on it in various shapes...shapes like a guitar, an owl, some hearts and a flower.  They came out awesome!!!  Better than I had expected!  So, that was Valentine's Day and since then, I have gotten my sewing machine back out numerous times since then to create more fabric oriented art!  Who knew my sewing machine would finally have some kind of life after all of these years???

Anyway - enjoy the photos of some of my latest creative projects as well as the one photo of my daughter Lily wearing a not so good smile on her face!  Macie made her mad of course and she just could not get over it for the photo!

Off for now!  Happy Friday!  Happy Creating!  Happy WHATEVER YOU ARE DOING!

JM

One Cute Bebe

Hi everyone!

I have some very exciting news to share!  I have not posted for a while....sad to say I have not even had the chance to play in paint for a while either...but there is a good reason!  For the last 5-6 weeks I have been soaking in a colorful pool of monkeys, frogs, hearts, skulls (yes...skulls!), owls, an astronaut, a tree with vibrant flowers flowing from its branches as well as...let's see, what else am I forgetting...  Oh paint drippings, peace signs, a dog, some monsters...and a crown!  There!  That does it!  You must think I have been living in a fairytale book!  Well, sort of....please tell me....do the activities below take place in fairytales?

1. Coffee is a MUST!
2. I caught my almost two year old girl standing IN in the toilet one day.
3. My other 3 girls play wii nonstop and have been watching Annie and Pippi Longstocking...let's sing together now...."the sun will come out...tomorrow..."
4. Laundry, laundry, laundry
5. Being the go to girl for "mom, I'll still hungry" for the 100th time!
6. Frantically preparing dinner - like 20 minutes before my husband is due home from work!
7. "Mom, Curran spilled her cereal AGAIN!"
8. "Mom, Macie won't leave me alone!"
9. Do I need to keep going?!?!? 

Okay, enough, although I did NOT actually create a fairytale, I AM co-founder of a fun and clever line of wearables for babies and toddlers!  One Cute Bebe!  I teamed up with one fabulous woman named Cherie and together we created a fun, clever, one-of-a-kind collection of designs that will allow your babies and toddlers to truly express themselves!  Cherie controls the manufacturing while I concentrate on the designs.  After working together on various projects over the past 3-4 years, Cherie decided to contact me and invite me on an adventure that will take us to places we have never been before.  

I truly hope that our adventure is a non-stop one!  Please take the time to browse our website of wearables (http://www.onecutebebe.com/), spread the word and send us messages of hope...and lots of luck!

And don't worry....I am still doing mixed media art of course!  Are you kidding?!?!  Once an artist, always an artist...my creative spirit has never left my side.  In fact, I feel more creative than ever!  I will be digging back into my paints tomorrow as a matter of fact!  I am truly looking forward to it!

Live Artfully,
JM

 

ARTragious Art Camp 2010!

Okay...okay!  I know that I have slacked on writing...but I have been so darn busy!  That is always the excuse I use and seriously....that IS my excuse!!!

Art Camp was a success and loads of fun!  I had a lot of repeat students as well as some fresh faces!  And of course CHAOS!  That's okay though right?!?!?  Art camp just would not be the same without chaos!  In the end though...I was very proud of what came out of the studio!  Everyone did a super job creating!

Anyway - I wanted to share some of the fabulous art that was created this year by some of my students.  I deeply apologize that I do not have more photos to share!  I was too busy working with everyone and taking photos was not really on my mind!  I missed a ton by not taking any photos of the textile art creations...please, if anyone has some photos of the textile art creations please send them to me!

Created by Julia, Isabella, Sasha and Lauren

Created by Logan

Created by Jasmine

Created by Jon and Katie

Created by Macie

Created by Olivia

Created by Madison

Created by Addie

Created by Julia

Created by Lauren

Created by Morgan

Created by Brooke

Created by Jasmine

Mirror created by Jon

Mirror created by Felicia

Mirrors created by Isabella, Jasmine, Christina, Jon, Cami, Erin and Desiree

There was many more wonderful works of art created...I just failed to get more photos than I should have!  I hope to have the moms email me some so that I can add them for your viewing pleasure!

Thanks again for all of those that participated and helped out!  I am already looking forward to next year!  Can't wait to see what kind of colors we will produce next summer!

Live Artfully,

JM

Artful Birds...

Mixed Media Birds

I am still preparing for my upcoming artist signing at The Canny Rooster in Greenville, SC next Thursday, June 10th!  I have been a busy little bee here in the studio... I had been looking for some eclectic pieces to paint and bring with me.  I found these little white ceramic birds that I just thought were the cutest thing...I added a splash of color, some hearts, some words of inspiration and viola! I think they came out adorable!  I only got two birds to paint...I think I might have to go buy some more! 

Hope everyone is living as artful as I am these days!

xoxo,

JM

18x18, "Lucille" acrylic on canvas

Okay...this is my new favorite!  I am just so pleased with the way my very first elephant turned out!  I created this canvas for my mother and stepfather's wedding anniversary which was in April.  My grandmother LOVED elephants and collected many statues/figurines of them in various sizes that were always on display when I was growing up.  I used to love to look at them all!  The collection was passed down to my mother...who loves elephants as well.  She also loves anything African themed...so I thought that I would add my own colorful spin on a look that I typically see in shades of brown, black and gold.  I think I accomplished what I set out to accomplish!  I also tried a new product...Liquitex Pouring Medium...I used it on top of the flowers...I was hoping for a thinner look to them but hey...it was my first time messing with the product!

JM

xoxo

Teacher Appreciation Week...

9x12 "A Teacher Ignites" - Acrylics on Canvas

The above canvas...a mixture of knowledge, wonder, curiosity...along with bits of nature, math, letters, etc. was created for all those fabulous teachers out there!!!  I created it especially for one of my daughter's teachers, Ms. Matthews, a 1st grade teacher...and for having the honor of being chosen for Teacher of the Year 2010!  You go girl!!!  I hope that she loves the canvas as much as I do!!!  I hated to see it leave the studio!  This one is one of my favorites!

xoxo,

JM

Artful Mess...

18x18 "believe" - acrylic on canvas

8x24 "bloom" - acrylic on canvas

I have to admit...I am addicted to color!  Lately, I just cannot get enough of it!  I am busy creating for an artist debut that I have coming up in June for a store in Greenville, SC called "The Canny Rooster"!  Needless to say, my goal is to plaster colorful, happy vibes all over their walls! I am also addicted to the thought of simplifying.  Although that is far from what my lifestyle is with my four girls!  I am truly the Queen of Chaos when it comes to managing my time and their schedule!  In the end, I feel that "single words" can act as powerful daily inspirations.  There is something child-like about them...  Dreamy too...

Oh...above is my littlest one...Curran! Guess what she did...although I was not surprised!  She pulled one of the paper plates full of paint off the art table and started creating her own art!  Well, she is starting young I guess!

Live Artfully,

JM

Celebrate Motherhood - Mother/Child Mixed Media Workshop

Well...I am finally ready to open registration for my upcoming mother/child mixed media workshop set for Saturday, May 8th!  I thought it would be fun for a mother and child to work on a piece of art TOGETHER!  So...I created a very specific project in mind just for this purpose...and...it celebrates being a mom as well!  I welcome mother and child combinations of all ages!  And, no art experience required!  I will have step by step instructions in place so that everyone can take home a fabulous 8 x 16 canvas that THEY created!  All supplies are included in the cost of the workshop!  Below is the project we will be working on and completing!  I hope to see everyone there!  You can register online!

Lake Eola Spring Festival in the Park...it's show time!

Hello all!  It is the eve of the Lake Eola Show and I am doing fairly well!  I THINK I have everything under control anyway!  The details are above!!!  I hope to see everyone there!

Thank you again to members of my mom squad that are helping me work the show...Cynthia and Brenda!  Thank you ladies!  We are going to rock!

Wish me luck!
Have an artful weekend!
I will post photos after the show!

JM

Woohoo for creatives of all types everywhere!

4x12 canvas - "The World is my Canvas"

In the midst of creating madly for the Lake Eola Show in Orlando this weekend...I wanted to take a moment to share a canvas that I created this week! The world is a canvas to so many of us...whether we are creative painters, drawers, sewers, pottery enthusiasts, friends, parents, teachers, mentors, etc. - The world is ours and our imaginations are endless!

Have an artful day!
JM