What we leave behind

-For my momma-

Losing a grandparent so very hard... yet at the same time ever so beautiful.

So hard that you won’t be able to be embraced by their tight squeezes and cheek kisses. You can’t listen to their infinite wisdom, and even their craziness. You won’t get random phone calls from them anymore making sure you are safe and happy. And no more being forced to eat even when you are full because they want to make sure you never leave hungry. 

Then it is beautiful to know that they lived such a wonderful life that their absence leaves a hole. That their bodies are made whole again. That they are having the sweetest reunions with loved ones. And that they are able to be our angels while we continue on. 

Recently my grandma Ruthie passed away, and it got me thinking about the impression we leave on those we leave behind.  Being able to witness how she touched everyone’s life made me want to live that kind of life, to enrich those around you and always put others first. I mean… she wanted an ice cream party instead of a funeral! We of course did both and it was such a perfect and wonderful celebration! 

 Watching my mom loose her mom tore me apart. You can’t help but put yourself in their shoes and feel how you would feel losing your mom. It’s unfathomable.  

One night I was in my grandma’s room with my mom and she was just sitting there admiring all of her moms beautiful jewelry in her vanity… and she just broke down.  Seeing how her mom had left her bedtime bonnet on the counter next to her vintage earrings and her clothes draped on the chair in her closet.  

 Then she went and layed on grandmas unmade bed, just how she had left it, with the Cinnamon Toast Crunch on her bedspread that my mom had given her a handful of that morning, and cried. The moment was so heartbreaking. 

Going into my grandma’s home afterwards was bittersweet. You could feel the emptiness of her absence, but being able to see how she left things, remnants of her daily life, was so comforting. I felt the need to capture every detail, from the unfinished puzzle, to the chair she always sat in next to her upside down Christmas tree (left up all year), to the laundry on her bed.  

 

Since loosing my grandma I've been thinking a lot about the impression we leave on people. All the worldly things from our lives stay here and people are left with feeling of how we impacted their life.  

I asked my mom and each of her siblings what the biggest impression was that their mom left of them. Here are their responses (oldest to youngest): 

Mike – “Compassion for everyone. She was the ultimate Joan of Arc.” 

Jim – “That she had the pure life of Jesus Christ and knew how to follow the prompting of the Holy Ghost. And her willingness to serve others.” 

Pam – “Daddy used to say mom had more charity in her little finger than most people have in their whole body. So much and more but if I had to pick one thing right now it would be her ‘never give up’ attitude. Endure to the end and then still keep trying. “ 

John – “Her love of the gospel and for her savior.” 

Marilyn – “That’s easy… unconditional love. NEVER give up on a child.” 

Judy – “Her talent for making things beautiful with an extra added flair. And also her kind heart. Always wanting to make sure everyone was taken care of.  

How amazing to have that be the legacy you leave behind? That really is what it is all about. To be able to leave a lasting impression on people, because that is what they remember. We can learn so much from those around us, especially our grandmas and grandpas. They are wise and witty and always fill our hearts with warmth, even after they are gone.  

I am so grateful to have been able to have that special woman, my grandma, influence my life. And her legacy lives on as I continue to take after my mother who learned so much from her.  

Love you Grandma Ruthie! Tell grandpa hi!

my open house

So just over a year ago I was packing up my house, getting ready for the big move from Utah to El Paso, Texas. I realized I had a ton of my work hoarded in my studio. Like a shiz ton. So I decided that instead of boxing them up for the journey... I should share them with my peeps in Utah. So I came up with this crazy idea of doing an open house out of my garage to sell my art. I spread the word on social media and just prayed that people would actually show up!



The night before as I was prepping for the sale with my amazing friends and fam... and I was just grumpy. I thought it was just all a waste and that no one would even come. I just wanted to stop and eat my feelings and go to bed haha. But man... I'm so grateful I was surrounded my loved ones that supported and helped me that night. Definitely couldn't have done it without them. Once we finished (around 5 am), I went to bed and didn't sleep cause I wanted to throw up and pass out at the same time.

Look how cute my momma's were just helping me all night!

Finishing touches :)

Next morning (or really just a couple hours later.. haha) I did the finishing touches... and before my open house even started I had people showing up. It was a CONSTANT flow for the next couple hours. Guys... I tried my hardest to not break out sobbing with happiness!! The fact that people showed up and supported me in this dream of mine seriously meant everything to me.

Dad :)

So many people from my life that I love came and it was like a great big reunion for me as well... perfect since I was moving! I also met a bunch of new wonderful people that just saw it on my Instagram. It was amazing to know that someone that didn't even know me came and took a piece of me with them. From start to finish my heart was just filled with so much joy with all the conversations I had.

I felt so loved.

My momma and bestie Gavin were the best at being my cashier's and jamming out to One Direction of course :)

Writing a personalized note on the back 

So THANK YOU. To all of you that came and made my day!! Looking back a year later I can't believe how much support I was shown. It is a feeling that sticks with me to this day. When I get discouraged thinking what I'm doing doesn't matter... you help me remember that IT DOES. I love knowing each of you have a little bit of my soul with you. I hope you know that I am so grateful and humbled that you took the time out of your day to come support me. It filled me with such a fire to keep pushing forward with this passion of mine!

Also, thank you to all of you that couldn't make it. Thank you to all of you who leave kind words on my posts. Thank you to all of you that admire my work. Thank you to all of you that just support me. Thank you thank you thank you!!!

I freaking love you all!


(all the lovely professional pics - Lexi Bills - @lexcmarie)

under the sea

So... today (Friday) both me and Austin have the day off.. and it has been wonderful! We have bummed it around the house all day.. sleeping, eating, listening to tunes... ya know.. the goods. Now he's gaming on his Xbox One and I'm working on getting stuff in my Etsy shop... fiinnaallyyy.

I am having to name the pieces I put up.. and that's always the hardest part for me.. aahh. There is one piece specifically though that I tried to come up with a cool meaningful title.. but all I could think of was a song title from Disney.. haha. Every time I look at it I see that scene in The Little Mermaid where Sebastian is singing to Ariel about how amazing it is under the sea! So that's what it's called. Because that's what it is. :)

'Under the Sea'

Now as Austin is gaming and I'm working... we both are dancing and singing to this little reggae song on repeat.

So listen to it.. let it get in your head.. you know you love it!!!! As for me.. I'm gonna go find a body of water to throw myself into so I can be a mermaid.

a glimpse into my process

Hiiii!

I know I've been MIA since my open house in October.. but I'm back! Since then, my Army husband and I have moved to El Paso, Texas. So with moving and settling in and exploring... I've slacked on ze blog.. so sorry my friends :) Even though you haven't seen.. I am still creating!  

Click on this link  >>>  Facebook - McKenzie Jones Art <<<  to watch a video of me doing a painting from start to finish! (I tried to load it directly to this but it ruined the video quality and it sucked so... i'm sooooorrrrrrryyy.. hahah) While you're there though give my page a like eh? :)

.... now that you have watched the video...

Here's a breakdown of the process in the video:

I started out with Caran d'Ache water soluble crayons. It sure felt good to just scribble... I may have broken a few in the process.. haha FEELINGS GUYS. Then I sprayed it with water, which brings out the magic!! It is always my favorite part to watch the color come alive and dance over the paper. Next I used Daler-Rowny FW Acrylic Ink in my favorite color 'Marine Blue'. With the paper already being wet it just melted into the paper... then spraying it just let it swim all over! Then I got some white acrylic paint and blocked out areas that got muddy and to create stronger shapes. Plus the white paint mixes so lovely with the wet colors floating on the paper already. 

I always get to a point where I don't know what to do next, hence the spare piece of paper hanging up next to it. It is some old Masa Printmaking paper from my undergrad that has been hanging out all unused and sad. I put it up there to use as a sound board for color, with the intent to use it for collage later. In other words... it's not up there to turn into a masterpiece. It is there to let me test colors and get out all the crap. Artsy scratch paper. 

So on that paper I found that pink color and decided the piece needed some of it to warm it up a little in contrast with all the coolness happening on it. So I threw that on there along with some yellow ochre. Then to bring the temperature back down and inject a little more contrast, I brought in some dark blue. 

(then Austin gets home from work and we go watch some of our shows on hulu... haha)

Next day! I went in and threw on some watercolor... and decided I was being too safe! It had lost the hardess from the beginning and got too flowy. Too soft. It lost the brutality I was going for. So I poured out some Sumi Ink and attacked the paper with it. Flipping the paper around gives me a fresh view of the piece and I am able to see the problem areas. Plus.. my wise art friend told me that you know a piece it truly good when it works in all orientations. :)

And there ya go... the final product! 

If you would like the purchase the piece shoot me an email at mckenziejonestart@gmail.com for info! 

Much love my friends. Peace out :)