Being creative, but especially painting, has been part of my life since childhood. I get the creative gene mostly from my mother's side. I am a self-taught creator. Though I have always made creative things I did not began creating commissioned paintings until 2003, and did not bring my work to the public until November 2005 at the TN Fair Grounds Flea Market. In the spring of 2006, I began showing with Nashville's Untitled Artists' Group www.untitlednashville.org . I was invited to be on the board of Untitled in 2007. Also in 2007 I co-created CRAFT - a creative community www.craftacreativecommunity.com which I also coordinate. I am involved in other creative groups in Nashville such as Plowhaus Artists' Cooperative www.plowhaus.org , Nashville Craft Mafia www.nashvillecraftmafia.com and Artsy Mamas www.theartsymamas.com when I can. I created my company The Creative JAR www.thecreativejar.blogspot.com but am also involved in many other business ventures such as Par Deux Meres www.pardeuxmeres.blogspot.com a collaborative project with Kim Smith of White Cottage Design www.whitecottagedesign.com , JAM in a JAR Apparel as the designer with my friends from JAM graphics www.jamgraphics.com, Artsi Moments as the co-owner and creative director of Clint the Black Cat www.clinttheblackcat.com.
I was born and raised in International Falls, MN. It is a remote town in northern Minnesota on the Canadian border. My family moved to my husband's home state of Tennessee in 1994. I have worked in Nashville's printing industry since 1995 and worked my way up the ranks as an Advertising Account Manager of many nationally known magazines. Besides being heavily involved with the growing art scene in Nashville, I also do freelance graphic arts and design mostly for print production. I reside with my husband and three girls near J. Percy Priest Lake, where they enjoy spending time outdoors, fishing and swimming.
Creating is an important part of my "me" time. It is a way for me to experience a creative life and a tool for maintaining my sanity. Acrylic is my favorite medium on wood or canvas. My favorite tool besides my paintbrush is sandpaper. I like to paint in many styles and have enjoyed experimenting with a wide range of art and craft media. I use a lot of natural elements, found materials and text in my work. My pieces are mostly fun and whimsical, but some of my works have a more serious side. I continue to try new styles and medias, and learn more every day. My current work explores the themes of the roles and emotions of woman, nature and words. A new project of mine is The Land of Neevin which is a story told via softies, they have their own blog www.landofneevin.blogspot.com. I have been working a lot with recycled goods making fused plastic bags.
How do you find balance as a mother, wife, and a Creative Superhero?
It is challenging sometimes to find balance between everything I am doing; Mother, wife, job, CRAFT: a creative community and The Creative JAR , sometimes it gets overwhelming. I try to keep my children involved with my creativity when I can by having them do the simplest things, such as priming a piece of wood so that it can be painted. It can be difficult though because they don't quite do it the way you want them to, but it is nice to see their smiling face when they say "how is this mom". And then you say "that looks great" even though you know after they are gone you are going to have to go back over it. But it makes them a part of you and what you are doing. Mostly now my youngest, Madison, is my little apprentice. This year she has learned to thread the machine, make a bobbin and sew. A friend of mine jokes that I run a sweat shop, but I don't make them do anything that they don't want to do. There is also time that I am workin
g on something that I they cannot help with. We used to have issues with them coming in and out of my room, bumping me, etc. With my mother's help we now have a solution, a little sign that hangs on my door when I need to not be bothered that says "MOM's TIME". It works but I don't abuse it.Any Advice for Finding your inner "crafter"?
Be creative in everything you do whether life, love or ART and never be afraid to get your hands dirty
How can we contact you, Jodi?
jodi@jodireeves.net
Blog = www.thecreativejar.blogspot.com
flickr = www.flickr.com/jodireeves/sets
etsy = www.thecreativejar.etsy.com
web = www.jodireeves.net
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