Jessica Lauren Paints

12/07/2025

Paint with Jess
- Winter Snowglobe-

12/07/2025

12/07/2025

Had a paint class with a group of girlfriends here in Athens yesterday evening! The “girls night” gathering was hosted at Erika’s place - I went to school with her and Justina (one gal in the group) back in 2009 at AHS.

We mingled and drank and got set up at a leisurely pace. We worked on our own time taking breaks when needed, which ensured a fun and relaxing environment. There was a beautiful Christmas tree set up, sweet doggies wanting all the attention, Wizard of Oz and Harry Potter was on in the background, punch, GREAT food (those funeral potatoes and cocktail weenies!), several inside jokes and lots of belly laughs. Ultimately, I think a fun time was had by all - and everyone’s paintings turned out fantastic! I love seeing how everyone’s design was clearly created from following the same steps, but each painting is different in its own way! For this class, we painted 8x10 spiral lined notebooks, which we all thought would be more useful than a canvas! One person is gifting it to her 14 year old niece (she included her and her boyfriend’s name on the bottom) and another person said she is going to wrap it for her young daughter and see if she laughs when she opens it. A few of the girls were a bit critical of their paintings but that’s just a part of art sometimes! I however find beauty in all the differences in artwork. But, I do know that it is a sad fact that we are usually our own worst critics.

My job is to show you that you can paint, too! It’s not just for the advanced, or the professional. It’s for everyone, young and old, experienced and inexperienced. And it can be an incredibly fun time ☺️

I was so grateful to get home and open my card - which included a generous tip and was signed by everyone who attended the class. It meant so much to me - the feeling I get from sharing the joy and peace that painting can bring your soul is immeasurable… but it is that feeling that keeps me wanting to continue what I’m doing!

Peace and love to you all! Remember to make it a great day!

11/28/2025

Oooh. Any pregnant mama’s out there want their belly painted? This sounds like fun!
I’ve dabbled in body and face painting and have tons of colors… and there is NOTHING I’m afraid to try!

🩵 Belly painting is one of those experiences that stays with you. The sweetness, the connection, the tiny flutters as baby reacts to every brush stroke 🥹 I got to paint this adorable Snowglobe design on my sister-in-law Marjorie right before she met her little holiday baby, and it still makes me feel all warm and fuzzy 🥰

11/24/2025

I had a great afternoon yesterday teaching a paint class to Girl Scout troop #3641 (and a few family members who joined!)

The design for the event was based on the painting from the very last “Paint Nite” that my mom attended in Peoria, IL on August 30th, 2016. Very sadly and very unexpectedly she passed away in the early morning hours following the event. The painting she made the night before her passing was a big piece of the last moments of her life and I was grateful to get to share my own version of “Up At The Galaxy” with this group. While it is not an exact replication of the original painting (I didn’t want to feel like I was plagiarizing) I do think it is a good representation of the original painting. I think everyone yesterday did an amazing job - the group was kind, focused and followed directions. More importantly, I think that they all had a great time! One little girl even said that she would like to have a paint party for her birthday next year. I love having the opportunity to spread the happiness that painting can bring.

A big thank you to my sister, aunt, and fiancée for helping set up and cleaning up. Thank you to the girls for being kind and respectful - several of them even came up and told me thank you! Thank you to the parents who were there and helped me out in any way with the girls. And thank you to the doctor who worked with my mom in Peoria whose donation to Troop #3641 sponsored yeaterday’s event.

Remember to make it a great day.

♥️ Jessica

11/21/2025

Wise words from a great man. Some of my earliest memories were of watching Bob Ross on PBS. I firmly believe that is where my love for art truly began.

11/03/2025

With everything going on at the moment (life is a constant whirlwind!) I had to pause and take a long moment to soak in all the feels from this sweet Christmas list from my friends Eric & Krista’s daughter, Madison. This kid has been through hell and back with lifelong health complications out of her control but she has stayed so resilient and is always smiling when I’ve seen her. Honestly her attitude towards life is inspiring, and I can’t believe that time spent drawing with me is a Christmas wish. You better believe I’m gonna make it happen in a way she will never forget! ♥️

Don’t forget you have little eyes watching you! This was my reminder 🥹

10/27/2025

You can nominate a local business by clicking on the post and going to the link in the comments!

10/26/2025

I've been silent on here for a bit but there is so much in the works!
I finally got official approval for "outside employment" at my current job so that wait is over. In the meantime, I had been logging business startup expenses, researching who and where to register my business with, and creating an overall business plan (goals, strategies, financial projections, local regulations.) My workspace/art room is finished, supplies have slowly been arriving, and some initial projects are starting soon.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️COMING UP - a farmhouse themed wall in a client's dining room, a painting class for a group of Girl Scouts in Decatur, IL and a smaller more intimate painting class for a group of girlfriends here in Athens. Lots of prep to be done.

Very excited for everything that is coming up. Stay tuned!

09/21/2025

Spend 60 seconds with me while I draw a mushroom.