MOPS (Moms of Preschoolers) Adventure

MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) Southpointe Community Church

I had the privilege of being with a group of young moms for Southpointe Community Church’s chapter of MOPS. I spoke a little, but mostly, we made art journals! Seriously, we need to play, especially in the thick of constant care giving that is the reality of life with preschoolers. I was so proud for these dear ones who could release their little ones into the care of others for a couple hours to find some space to eat, talk (grown-up talk) and even play a little. We made journals and thought about what it might mean to look for hope in a world where beauty is protested often.

Artist's Pilgrimage Through Europe

October 2-19, 2018

I recently had the opportunity to have my own European expedition with Journey Arts Collective and World To The Wise, and came back with a vision and a calling to extend this experience out to those in my reach that have already experienced so much creative and spiritual renewal.  Perhaps this could be your next story of unfolding, since we know that our creative journeys continue to unfold layer by layer.  I am even now working with David and Becky Durham to create the adventure, but it will include France and Italy.  We will spend concentrated time with great works of art, the city of Paris and Florence, and have reflective time in the hill towns and countrysides of Italy.  We will spend time together and alone as we listen to what God has to say to each of us. Be on the look out for further details coming soon.  Please contact me at jennieschut71@gmail.com to let me know of your interest.  We can begin to plan and prepare now.  Can't wait to see what will unfold as we follow an invitation to come and listen, rest and receive renewal.

Morgan James Publishing Red Carpet Event

My publisher, Morgan James Publishing, with offices in New York and Virginia, held a Red Carpet event for the Spring/Summer 2017 authors recently here in Nashville, TN.  And what an event it was.  I had never attended a "red carpet" event before and probably never will again.  And as a mom of four and a studio artist, you can usually find me in jeans with holes, an old t-shirt and my painting apron.  This night, I had an opportunity to dress up and look like a girl.  There were close to 20 authors being celebrated that evening and I was grateful to be one of them.  We all had an opportunity to walk the red carpet and talk a few minutes about our books.  You can catch the video here.  Pictured with me in the photo above is the founder, creator and leader of Morgan James Publishing, David Hancock.  In the middle is Morgan James acquisitions editor and dear friend, Karen Anderson.  Karen went through my material early on, as it was being written and birthed.  She was so formative in the process and important in the way Waking Up Grey was created.  And she believed in the process and the project so much that she made sure that it got to the right place so that it could reach as many as possible.  One thing became clear as I met the Morgan James family face to face for the first time over this event.  All that have hands in the publishing process deeply care that the passions and voices of the authors get to the people they need to get to.  They are careful and selective about the content they are putting out into the world.  I learned that MJP gets 5,500 submissions a year and only chooses to release 200 titles a year.  I am deeply grateful to be included in such a selective, hand chosen group of books.  Their belief in me and what I am passionate to say reminds me why I am doing what I do.  It is because of my passion for you, the reader, to find a deep sense of freedom and spaciousness within yourself to do all that is in your heart.  God doesn't just approve, or give us permission to follow our dreams.  He is the one that actually plants our deep desires and longings and everything that is in our lives will either water that plant or wither it.  My prayer is that you are making movements toward more life and light and flourishing.  God wants you to flourish.  He wants goodness and joy and beauty and creativity to have a place to be nourished and to grow within you.  It must begin with you.  You must be nourished first before you can extend it out.  And, like I found over the course of the publishing process, you will begin to find those in your life that believe in your dreams and your work just as much as you do.  Look for those people and reach out and ask for help.  As you begin to make small steps, you will begin to see that the universe is eager to help.  It is abundant and generous, not scarce and rigid.  I hope your voice begins to take up more space and your dreams begin to move from formless and void into particular shapes and textures and colors.  That's my hope for you.  Look in the coming weeks for more from me as your creative midwife.  I'm here as a resource for you!  Let's dream and fly together!

       Book Release Celebration

          Waking Up Grey Night of Stories

Come celebrate the release of the 2nd Edition of Waking Up Grey: An Exploration of Creative Awakening with us as we hear stories from those who have experienced more creative freedom as they've worked through this book. Enjoy visual art and music that has emerged through each creative process. There will be light snacks, wine, Coke products, Lemonade and Iced tea. Take the opportunity to purchase a book signed by the author.

 Date: May 21, 2017

 Location: Franklin Mercantile Deli  

100 4th Avenue North  

Franklin, Tennessee 37064

 Time: 5-8

From professional artists to novice painters to those who still draw in stick figures, Waking Up Grey has insight for the budding creativity to be found in anyone. This work inspires exploration of one’s creative side while simultaneously demonstrating the link between creating art and drawing closer to God. From creative awakening to spiritual awakening, Waking Up Grey has something to offer every audience. Readers learn how to invite God into their creative process, how self-care is essential to that process, and how to shape and refine their creative voice, exploring the messages they want to portray through their art.

Easily utilized for individual or group study, Waking Up Grey: An Exploration of Creative Awakening is a process that will be extremely useful to churches, classrooms, and small groups. By fostering a creative community and strengthening spiritual connections, readers will discover how art brings them closer to the world around them, and the God who created them.

If you are interested in creating your own small group, bringing the book to your church community or participating in a workshop with me, please contact me through my website and I would love to create something to fit your needs.  

Waking Up Grey 2nd Edition

Waking Up Grey

Waking Up Grey offers readers ways to reconnect with their God-given capacity to create. Join others in an intimate journey of rediscovery. Experience how God has wired you to participate in and enjoy the creative process. Readers include professional artists desiring more fullness, those pondering the question of their creative existence, and everyone in between. Waking Up Grey (WUG) groups offer opportunities to share stories and celebrate your work. The book can be read as part of group study or individually. WUG participants find fellowship in communities of experienced and beginning artists. If you are looking for support in a small, intimate setting, WUG may be just the thing. New groups are always starting. To find groups in your area, or to learn how you can start your own group, click here to contact me. I'd love to talk to you! 

Waking Up Grey Retreat, April, 2015

 "...this experience rates right up there for one of my 'most significant moments.' " ~ Colleen, speaking of the retreat

Thanks to the help of two innovative and resourceful leaders, we tried something new with Waking Up Grey this year.  Instead of meeting for 11 weeks in someone's home, we met as part of the Women's bible study offerings at a church for 9 months, alternating weeks of Waking Up Grey with Journal days and Color Corridor days.  At the end, we launched this brave and beautiful group of around 25 women into their next chapter of creativity with a weekend retreat.  It was a day of quiet, beauty and the receiving of Jesus into the deepest parts of who we are.

The retreat took place near downtown Franklin at the home of Robbie and Sharilyn Grayson and their six children.  They live in an antebellum home right in the middle of beautiful farmland.  Robbie and Sharilyn are so generous and gracious with all that they have and we felt at home in a place where hospitality permeates walls and corners and hearts!

The retreat couldn't have happened without many hands!  Pictured here is Ginny Miller, one of the servers of the day.  She was present the whole day, in the kitchen, out and about, just doing things that needed to be done.  So many people had a hand in the day.  Not pictured, but present that day were Marilee Tice, Star Moberg, Sharilyn, Katie and Edith Grayson (also hosting).

CHRIST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH WOMEN'S RETREAT

Saturday, March 14, 2015

I teamed up with Kristin Vincent for this one day retreat to continue a conversation of what it means to hear from God from a place of rest and inner receptivity.  Kristin showed us how to pray with Anglican prayer beads.   I led each group in the practice of silence and the creative process.  I had each person reflect on receiving and giving.  Each person applied what they learned in the silence to two stones.  One stone represented what they were to keep and not give away.  The other stone represented what they were to offer out.  The first stone they kept.  The second stone was incorporated into a mandala mosaic. (Mandala is another word for circle, which symbolized wholeness and eternity).  Each person constructed a 6" mandala which will be incorporated into a piece of permanent community art.  Stay tuned for the remaining processes of putting the mosaic together and hanging it in the church!