Few material things give me joy quite like art. I discovered the talented Jordan Connelly awhile back and have been swooning over her colorful coastal pieces ever since. Her work is stunning and she’s a darling person to get to know! If you like what you see, be sure to join us on Instagram at 5pm EST for a fun giveaway! Hint hint… š
The piece pictured was inspired by a snap I took on my iPhone of the marina here in Fernandina Beach. Is it not STUNNING?! I honestly can’t walk by it without smiling, which is a pretty good indicator of beautiful art in my opinion.
Tell us a bit about you ā where you find inspiration, how you fill your days, and how you got your start as an artist!
Beyond anything, Iām inspired by nature. It is baffling to me that God created every speck of sand, blade of sea grass, and all the colors in the sky and ocean. I could stare at them forever, watching the light and colors change with the day. The same exact scene can become so many different scenes depending on how and when you look at them, and even more with what feelings they invoke. My soul is especially mesmerized and filled by the ocean, marshy waterways, and Lowcountry landscapes. I canāt help but try and capture the inherent movement of nature with different colors, brushstrokes, and textures. I am very drawn to the Impressionist painters, Monet, Manet, and Sorolla. I often study their work and try to pull different aspects of their techniques into mine.
I spend my time doing what seems like a million things I love. I have an amazing family that fill my life and time with so much joy. Believe it or not, I am also a nurse in the emergency department and in school finishing up my doctorate degree to become a Nurse Practitioner. I studied studio art, biology, and nursing in college, but always doubted my ability to turn my love of painting into a career. Between the love and support I received from family and friends, and trusting that God gave me a skill for a reason, I decided to start sharing my work.
What was your favorite part of growing up in the South?! And what have you missed since moving to Colorado?
I adored growing up in the South. I am from Raleigh, North Carolina, and lived in the same house my entire life until I left for college. I love that my brother and I could play down the street without any worries, that I could make friends in somewhere as mundane as the grocery store, lightning bugs and crickets, the slower quiet pace of life, the general kindness that exists in the South, and even the thick humidity. I went to college in Charleston, South Carolina, which only made my love for the South and the water even more palpable. I knew as soon as I stepped foot into charming historic Charleston, that I was meant to be there. I used to ride around on a dilapidated Jon Boat with holes in it, just to get some time on the water. We had to chew gum on the way to the dock to place in the holes of the boat so it would not sink (as quickly).
I currently live in Colorado, which has its own array of dreamy landscapes, with my husband, young daughter, brand new son, and 2 Goldendoodles. We enjoy outdoor adventures like climbing mountains in -10Ā° weather to try and catch the sunrise at the summit, or hopping off of a train in the middle of the wilderness to hike into giant valleys surrounded by mountain goats. My husband enjoys his dream job here as a Firefighter Paramedic, and while we love Colorado, we hope to move back East in the near future to enjoy some of those amazing qualities of the South. We got married at Lowndes Grove Plantation in Charleston, SC and canāt wait to get back.
Any tips for new artists?
Paint what makes your soul sing and brings you joy. Study other artists as much as you can and seek advice from any of them that are gracious enough to spend time answering your questions. Donāt be afraid to follow your dreams. Work as hard as you can. I learn new things every single day and know I still have so much more to learn. Growing from my mistakes has been a tough challenge, but giving myself grace and the freedom to fail is the only way I have been able to evolve. Sharing my art is such an exciting but vulnerable experience. I have been so blessed to make dear friends and connections with kind people who encourage and push me to keep chasing my dream. Without them, I would still be listening to my fears and doubts.
Do you have a favorite piece of art that you’ve painted? Is it even possible to pick just one?!
This is a really tough question. When I sit down to paint a piece, I spend time studying the image or scene until I fall in love with all of its unique components. At first glance, I might see a gorgeous marsh, but after careful viewing, I start to see the dashes of unexpected color and movement that I initially may have overlooked. There really is so much depth and beauty in everything if you try and find it. There are those sweet little details in every one of my paintings that were thoughtfully constructed this way, but I think two of my top favorite pieces have been āHoly Cityā, āChesapeake Regattaā, and āLow Country Marsh’. There is also a piece I painted in college of people playing in the rain that was my expression of the beauty I see in God that will always hold a special place in my heart. I have a feeling Iāll circle back to this theme with a mini rain series sometime soon.
Here’s a tough one (that I’ve often debated myself!) which is the better backyard view… marsh or beach?!
Oh my. This is a really tough question. I grew up going to the beach in North Carolina every year for summer vacation. If you stood on the balcony, you could see the ocean from the front of the house, and the marsh from the back. It was the most perfectly peaceful combination. Because of this, Iād have to say marsh in the backyard.
How can Somethin’ Southern readers follow along?
I love sharing my work and journey through Instagram (@jordanconnellystudio). This is the best way to follow along and stay updated on new works and creations. All of my original paintings, prints, and custom commission information can be found on my website, jordanconnellystudio.com. It is such a true honor to share!
