Beautifully-designed, Custom, Hand-painted Art

Super Excited!

2015-02-25T11:45:00.001-08:00

Ok, a good friend suggested I read a book called I Just Like to Make Things and she let me borrow it for a bit. It is a pretty great book with some valuable resources by Lilla Rogers. She is an artist turned agent, primarily, and complied this kinda go-to book for various types of artists to find out how to really get their items out there. The best part of the book is the interviews she did with various companies about how they get their art, how to submit art, and what they are looking for in an artist and their art. I wound up submitting art to two places; Galison for paper goods and gift markets and Wild Apple for wall decor. I also contacted a lady through Twitter who works for Family Fun magazine. Whether I get a call or not, I still feel pretty good about writing up my artist statement, following through, and just kind of putting it out there further than local stores. Who knows?? Maybe I'll get a response...Thanks Jenn for the encouragement!

Oooohh...on another note, The Market in Smyrna closed where we at Faithful Strokes had our second studio so we are a bit sad on a couple levels, but the silver lining is I was able to purchase some cool stuff; 3 huge cubby shelves and a very cool giant IKEA dandelion light fixture. See pics!

Who's Ready for Spring and Warmer Weather!

2015-02-20T18:58:00.001-08:00

I know I sure am...late February in TN, we start expecting some mid 50's, but for a week now we have been cooped up inside because a relentless layer of thick ice and now more on top of it tonight as I type! I did get a little productive painting done for upcoming Easter classes at Faithful Strokes and some beginning ideas for summer camps.

These two grids were some I had left over from the previous year and Christmas. Let me know if you are interested in any of them.

New, original swirly cross design with chevron background; completely customizable!

Here were my new designs for Faithful Strokes for the Valentine's/end of winter season this year

Here's a remake of the popular 'I Will Praise You in this Storm" We do plan on having a new, fresh line of scriptural/representative art COMING SOON!

Here is one I love for the simplicity in the foreground, yet intricacy in the background.

Three piece set of black and whites with burnt orange umbrella.

Original chevron painting with an encouraging quote from a friend.

Original painting of a beach sunset.

Cute family tree idea a customer saw on Pintrest.

Well, these are just a few of the paintings I've done since I posted several pieces back in Februrary! Where does the time go! Here's one of my sweet boys...growing up and getting awards at school!

I did get to go to Winter Jam this year again which was amazing!!

Posting all this, although very random and just trying to play catch up, it makes me feel really blessed. I get to stay home most of the time to be with Colton and available to go to school related stuff with Preston. Then I get to teach art for Faithful Strokes while getting to do custom work on the side. The Lord has tremendously and perfectly provided this year and continues to amaze me. I felt a little bummed when I got on here because I was behind and haven't had as many orders as I had hoped, but going through my pics made me realize, I really have been uniquely blessed by the Lord in every area of my life. Just because my life is not just like someone else's or they have more "success", etc doesn't mean I'm not exactly where the Lord wants me. Plus, no one has the exact blessing I do and, for that, I am thankful. God bless you all. I am thankful for you as well!

Wow! It's Almost Been a Year!

2014-12-29T13:08:00.000-08:00

What a whirlwind year I have had; raising a baby into a toddler really prevents you from doing stuff that kind of gets put on the back burner like updating your blog. I have continually updated the website though. This blog was really kind of serving in that capacity until I finally built/designed a decent website. Still, I shouldn't neglect my blog completely!

In February, Colton was dedicated to the Lord and that was such a special time for us as a family.

In early Spring we got to go an a weekend vacation with just my husband, myself and the boys. They are my little angels and mean the world to me. It was a wonderful time for family and relaxation!

Next came Colton and Preston's birthdays which were a blast. Anytime you can get together with friends and family it's a blessing.Summer was busy with fun parties at Faithful Strokes. Anna and Elsa and other great summer camps will keep you laughing and on your toes!

Later in early fall we were able to go visit my great uncle Tommy and his daughter and grandchildren in Pensacola. That was a nice time because she was just about to have her third baby and was off work so we got to visit quite a bit.

October got to be a little hairy and sad with the unexpected loss of our last cat.Our sweet Cocker Spaniel passed in Feb 2014 and Kitty Monster on the lower right passed in Summer of 2013.

We did get another kitty, "Angel" is a blessing to us and our family, She helped the transition to be a little smoother.

Other fun stuff in 2014 is getting healthy by doing Piyo in the park.

I also got to share my cardboard testimony!

Christmas was a nice end to the year. Spending time with family and making meaningful memories was the best part.

I pray you have had a wonderful and blessed 2014 and I wish you a Happy New year in 2015!

Two in the Works!

2014-02-15T17:01:00.001-08:00

I love both of these!!

I'm back!!

2014-02-15T09:33:00.000-08:00

Hey there....sorry I haven't been posting lately, but definitely been working on the website www.initialdesignsart.com so go check that out and let me know what you think ;)

A lot been going on, mostly good, but a lil sad :(. Below is a painting I did to remember our sweet dog, Lucky, who we had to get put to sleep last week. He was 16 yrs old and going through all that goes along with that; seizures, blindness, deafness, incontinence, but what made our decision along with a lot of prayers, was his lil back legs kept giving out and he would fall :( He was a very sweet puppy dog and is dearly missed but will live on in our hearts!

This one is for my friend's teenage daughter's room and matches her perfectly.

This one is also in her bedroom

Abigail loves doggies so I incorporated that as well as the bedding design around the edge.

Baby Ava has a Classic Pooh nursery and this one was sent to Virginia; which I think is a new state for me to have art in so I may be up to 27!! Very cool feeling! What a blessing!

Chase went over to North Carolina as a baby shower gift to match Mod Pod Pop Monkey Bedding; this may also be a new state for my art. Gonna have to check my list!

This was ordered for a baby shower gift as well. Love Biblical stuff for babies because they need to know of God's perfect and enduring love!

These also went to NC for a birthday gift for my sweet Aunt's niece on the other side of her family.

This is them hung up in her bathroom. Love getting these!

Above is Harvest Moon done for a friend's bedroom

Love getting these pics!! Loved doing this one to match this lil one's big boy bed!

The four below are original designs for O Baby! 3/4D Ultrasound, Spa, and Boutique in Murfreesboro, TN

Max and Ryan share a room and love to fish and camp so I incorporated

their love with their plaid bedding design

This is an original painting and poem of mine that was very healing

This was ordered by a friend for a Christmas present for someone in her family to celebrate important dates

This is a Valentine's mantel a friend sent to me

I can paint on glass as well

The next five are in a friend's new house

All these have kept me busy and from posting, but busy is good and that means I'm able to be home with my sweet baby Colton and can attend everything at school with my precious big boy Preston :) I'm loving how God is continuing to bless my family and enjoying his perfect provision!!

Been on Baby Hiatus!!

2013-09-24T12:50:00.001-07:00

Ok, since I had the baby back in late April, things have been going really well for my family as well as my business. Still designing, assisting and teaching for Faithful Strokes; primarily in the studio located inside The Market in Smyrna, TN. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE teaching art!! Next, I have gotten a good opportunity to be the exclusive artist in O Baby! 3D/4D Ultrasound, Spa, and Boutique and have completed one wall piece for them and have plans to paint their logo above the gender reveal party window in a week or so. Last, any day now an article about me and my business as well as ad will be coming out in Community Homes and Gardens of Rutherford County Magazine!! In between all this great big news, the Lord is still delivering each and every day in the small ways!! I love my God! Here are some pics to update you:

Got to paint on a fondant cake for a wedding!! Whooo...fun!!

All the following pictures/paintings have been delivered to customers since May. :)

These next ones have all gone to OBaby! Ultrasound, Spa and Boutique in Mutrfreesboeo, TN including my new Birth Announcement line and Embellished canvases.

These next ones are from my photo shoot for the piece in the magazine!!

These are custom design examples to match bedding around town in The Market in Smyrna or Simply Southern Marketplace in Murfreesboro, TN

This one is in Mattress Plus in Smyrna, TN

Faithful Strokes Designs

Keep your eyes pealed for more good stuff to come!!

Pictures Update...

2013-05-09T14:52:00.000-07:00

Long story short, we have no Internet except on our phones right now, so here are some pics of art since I posted last ;) We did have our baby on April 20th too so that has put some things on hold.

2013-03-14T14:51:00.001-07:00

Valentine's Day is coming quick!! So is Easter and Mother's Day!

2013-02-07T07:37:00.003-08:00

These all can be customized to give to your sweetie, family or anyone who would appreciate you having something made for them! Many sizes available to fit your budget! This will be something they can hang for many years to come and lasts way longer than candy or flowers!

New Additions/Variations to Scripture Line

2013-02-07T07:35:00.000-08:00

This new line allows you to decide what size of canvas, color scheme, flower type, and lettering/scripture in center. These are 12x12's for $42 each.

Whimsical Waters

2013-02-07T07:31:00.001-08:00

This is another new line I'm offering that is a bit more "out of the box" than most of the stuff I do. Almost any bedding your baby or child has can be converted this whimsical look. This is a 16x20 for $55.

NEW Line of Work-Journey Home

2013-02-07T07:29:00.001-08:00

Inspired and suggested by awesome cousin, Christie, I am now offering pretty much any country you want in the center of a canvas, this is a 20x20 for $75, with a scripture or phrase around the edge. This was created for her adopted son to show him where he's from and to be proud of that, but his new home is with her and he is her heart noted by the 3 intertwined hearts on the city he is from.

NEW! New Website!!

2013-02-07T07:23:00.003-08:00

Check me out over at www.initialdesignsart.com and share this much easier to remember website address!!

GIVEAWAY ALERT!!

2013-02-07T07:13:00.000-08:00

GIVEAWAY ALERT!!! When my FB fan page, Initial Designs, reaches 1000 likes (308 now) , I will give away a 20x20 inch painting of your choice (within reason) which is a $75 value. All you have to do (even if you currently like Initial Designs), is share this post on your FB page (or blog, if you don't have a FB page) and leave a comment on this post that you want to win (and how much you love my art won't hurt either, lol). This is what a 20x20 looks like, but you can choose any design. Check out www.initialdesignsart.com for all work I have done!

For those of you that read to the bottom...as likes continue to rise over on FB, I will offer more giveaways...probably at like 1250, 1500, etc...so keep on telling your friends and family about me and I will keep you posted!

Owl Love U Forever!

2012-12-27T12:09:00.001-08:00

Here is a new Valentine's painting I'm offering. The fun things about this one, like most of my paintings, is that it can be customized. You can choose colors, lettering (i.e. family name, etc...), and add "lil' owls" if you want to make for your family versus for your spouse or significant other. Owls, feathers, nose, and leaves are shaped like hearts to really make it fun for Valentine's Day! Last, this original is a 9x12 inch canvas and I'm offer it for $30 instead of the normal $35 for this size, BUT you can get it larger or smaller to fit your needs and budget! If you want more than one so you can give as gifts, there is a discount for that as well. These will be offered directly from me, but also I plan to have some available at Simply Southern Marketplace in Murfreesboro, TN and maybe a variation at The Market in Smyrna, TN.

Valentine's Day Paintings

2012-12-26T21:41:00.001-08:00

Keep your eyes "peeled" for some fun Valentine's Day paintings soon. This will be a set you can purchase together or separately, but there will be others to come as well!

WIN a 9x12 INCH PAINTING...

2012-12-26T19:47:00.002-08:00

Ok, so I have been browsing patterns and fabric this evening to try to get some good ready to purchase painting ideas. So, I decided to ask you guys what kinds of paintings you would like or buy for your own home... I'm taking any and all ideas from now until Dec 31st and whoever has the best idea (in my opinion :) ), will win a 9x12 inch painting with your idea on it! Share with your friends too. You can post your idea here or on FB. Thanks and I look forward to hearing your ideas!

NOTE: It does not have to be a pattern, I just wanted to share these pretty ones!

Check Out My New Website

2012-12-26T08:13:00.002-08:00

Go see my new website I have been working on that is a little more user-friendly than a blog. A blog is great and has served me well, but this way you can see any picture at any time in the gallery, find info quickly about ordering, and connect to Initial Designs on almost any network with the click of a button.

I've got to work on getting a domain name, but for now click on the link above or go to http://melissajackson10.wix.com/initial-designs.

Don't worry, I will be keeping my blog and posting here as well!

Thanks guys!

Mason Jars to Wine Jars

2012-12-23T14:04:00.002-08:00

My sis-in-law ordered lettering to add to these mason jars

Serene Beach-Re-posted with Better Pic

2012-12-23T14:02:00.001-08:00

New Designs with Scriptures

2012-12-23T14:01:00.001-08:00

Here are the 12x12's I posted yesterday with scriptures added; each are $42 and include your choice of scripture/phrase/lettering, color scheme, and favorite flower. They are $40 each if you purchase more than one.

Lyla Updated

2012-12-22T23:48:00.000-08:00

I still need to work on the lettering a bit, but this one is almost done.

New Designs

2012-12-22T23:45:00.001-08:00

Four new designs offering damask flowers. You can choose your range of colors, flowers, and what you would like in the center such as a scripture or phrase.

Done and Delivered (for the most part)

2012-12-22T23:40:00.002-08:00

Damask design on a 24x36 inch canvas

Serene beach scene with a poem in the middle on 16x20

Teacher gift on 11x14 inch canvas customized to match recipient's alma mater, SC Gamecocks

This one has a name painted on the jersey, but it was for a gift so I will re-post later with name. This is an 8x10 inch canvas

Designed to match above canvas because the boys share a room; will post again later with name.

This also has a name in the center and is for the lil' sister of the boys above.

Going to The Market...in Smyrna, TN

2012-12-11T07:26:00.000-08:00

Here's what my dining room table looked like last Tuesday and then all these got finished up Wednesday and delivered to The Market in Smyrna, TN for sale! I also have some of my custom work up there as well for people to see and they can order from. All these pieces can be re-designed and customized as well, but these were ready to sell. Each piece has a coordinating ribbon attached as a hanging option. These are either an 11x14 inch canvas for $38 or 8x10 for $32.