From the first moment I "virtually" met Jennifer I felt inspired! She is friends with some of my same friends and we actually live in the same town! I keep hoping that I will magically run into her in person so I can give her a big hug and hello! She is part of my Proverbs 31 Mama-prenuers group on Facebook! A place to bounce around questions, ideas etc related to blogging or businesses! Through this I have met some pretty awesome people and I am so honored to introduce this one...!
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I
am a daydreamer. From the carefree childhood days of running barefoot to chase swallowtail
butterflies in my sundress made by Mom, to now running hills with 4-5 dogs in
tow to chase inspiration, it is within these moments I feel alive, free, and at
peace. I can do anything. It took meeting my husband to show me that within dreams
I can find truth and reality.
Wow.
It doesn’t have to be someday. Those
words were so empowering to me that I walked over to the Missions Office at my
University the next day. I asked about Africa. They told me they were looking
for an art teacher for a two-month commitment to go work with orphaned children
in South Africa. I froze in awe. A few months later, our team was putting on a
concert and auction to sell my paintings of Africa to pay for our trip there.
And with God’s blessing, each one sold! Fast forward a few months and we were
in the place of my dreams. It was just as I had envisioned. I had beautiful
children holding each of my hands, one resting on my back, and we walked
together in perfect peace. It was the stuff dreams were made of, but this was
reality. I loved every moment of it.
“It doesn’t have to be someday” empowered
many things… art shows in Los Angeles with the students’ art from Africa,
getting married to the man who inspires me to be a woman of worth, and a move
to Colorado, adopting puppy #1 and within a year, another move to Oregon and
adopting puppy #2. We took leaps of faith to be in Oregon, and soon finding
jobs followed. I worked at a wonderful art studio in Beaverton teaching children’s
classes, hosting birthday parties, and running open studio sessions. I loved
the space, the people I worked for and with, and also loved our clients. And as
I observed my surroundings, my dreaming began again…
I
saw little sparks of genius in certain students and wanted to help nurture that
talent individually. I saw moms having a hard day, needing a friendly face to
listen, and I wanted to stop washing palettes, sit down and listen to their
hearts. I saw children with learning disabilities needing a place to foster, explore,
and learn in the perfect way for them, I wanted to provide that quiet space for
them. However, this job was not my own business, and I knew that one-day maybe,
“Someday” I could provide that space.
The
name Blue Plume came to me one day as I was creating a painting. I was
daydreaming (again) about when I was in college, how I would go to the Los
Angeles Arboretum to draw the gardens. As I held the plume of my pen, Peacocks
would gather, curious as to what I might be making in their garden. There was
one Peacock in particular who made a habit of sitting with me on my blanket as
I created. I named Blue Plume Studio after the lovely plumes that are of the
majestic bird, so gallantly displayed. Peacocks stand for renewal, as they shed
their feathers each year and grow an even more majestic fantail. They are a symbol of integrity and the beauty that can
be achieved when we choose to better ourselves and better our lives. I love
that this is what my business is about: providing a safe haven, a simple space
to reflect and renew our spirits. When we take the time to do this, it is
amazing the peace, clarity and direction that God will give us for our lives.
This is why I create. This is why I dream. This is why I give others the
opportunity to do the same.
I
developed lesson after lesson and my clients started to slowly trickle in. Now,
when I look back, I can’t believe that I have already taught over 500 hours of
lessons in my new studio in the last six months. And I have been able to be the
teacher I have always wanted to be. I have been blessed with very gifted
students; a few who show more potential than I ever showed at their age. I have
been able to sit down with a cup of tea with moms who just needed a friend to
listen, bounce ideas off of, or just laugh with. And recently, I have been blessed
to serve as a mentor about academics, personal issues, faith questions, and
simply life.
I
am finding the greatest lesson is to be present with each student, to never
rush, and to savor each conversation and creative art session that we have. I
pray for each of my students that they will be blessed in life, and I pray that
the studio provides a haven for them to come explore the arts and have an
amazing time!
I
have a huge heart for children and teens in need (teen moms, foster kids,
etc…), and also for adults who are battling something, whether that is illness,
addiction, or insecurity. Those who need someone to take the time to invest in him
or her. “Someday” soon I hope to start a ministry component to my business
where I can provide these services for many in need who financially find it
hard to even put food on the table. My
husband and I have been there too. I am in the process of figuring out the
financials and funding for such a scholarship program.
I offer a free studio consultation to
anyone interested in pursuing lessons at Blue Plume Studio. This gives us the
chance to sip a cup of tea, discuss the art goals for the student, and to
create a preliminary curriculum based on their specific interests.
Here are the best ways to reach me to set
up your free studio tour and consultation (and to see some GREAT photos of
students’ artwork):
Studio Phone: 503-926-7239
Email: blueplumestudio@gmail.com
Above
all, I am so thankful to be in the Sherwood community, providing tailor-made
art lessons and classes for anyone who is seeking to take a break, to
rejuvenate, and to become the artist they have always wanted to be. Make “Someday” today. And Happy –Art Making!
Teacher
Jen
The Mamapreneur’s Summer Camp Special~
Register
for a week of summer art camp and receive your last day FREE!
Free Art Rejuvenation Giveaway ~ The Best Friends’ Forever Package
Enroll
for three private lessons, and receive the Best Friends Forever Package FREE!
You and
a friend are welcomed to a lovely art experience.
Choose
from painting, drawing, or a mixed media two hour private lesson.
All
instruction and supplies are included.
Enjoy
complementary tea and flower bouquets.
Happily serving
beginning to advanced artists,
Blue Plume Studio is unique among art studio
environments by providing custom designed art instruction.
Artist
and owner, Jennifer Predoehl, welcomes you to relax, create, and stay a while
at Blue Plume Studio in the heart of Old Town Sherwood, Oregon.
