Why Should Kids Have All The Fun? My Painting Class.

Julie Murphy and Dre Towey






Tonight I attend my second "adult" painting class, taught by my very talented friend, Julie Murphy of Jack and Lulu at a really cool place here in South Norwalk, CT, called Jam Sono. It's an art and music studio started by the singer / songwriter / illustrator Dre Towey along with the design and music talents of Chris Tinnesz, Abbie Smith and many awesome visiting musicians. The studio opened up at the end of last summer and is situated along the water in an urban part of a Norwalk that has a SOHO kind of vibe. The studio is large and spacious with great cement floors, loads of murals, color, sculpture, paint, art and just pure, childlike happiness. Dre was able score a beautifully maintained VW bus on Ebay to represent her perfectly retro logo design.

The class, like most of Jam's classes are relaxing and easy going. Julie leads the class but encourages diving into your painting and seeing where you end up. Typically the end result is quite different than your initial plan. I studied art in high school and a little bit in college. I have not inherited the artistic talents of my Grandfather, Grandmother, Dad, Mother or Brother sadly but I do appreciate it. It is quite difficult for me to slow down and do something like this but I'm so glad I did, it is relaxing and inspiring! Just being present amount great people in a fun, artistic and lively environment is really all I need. Check out Jam if you live in the area. They have a great assortment of art and music classes for ages 3 and up and Chris Tinnesz teaches an art illustration and fashion design class for kids 9-12.


Dre painting


Julie and Chris Tinnesz





And you've got to see Dre's video, directed by Julie's very talented husband, Tom Murphy.

John Derian- a piece of art, a piece of history

New pieces to Orange and Pear

John Derian rented his lower East side studio to sell his witty and old-world decoupage back in 1994. Then he said, "Hey, if I sell a plate a day, that will help pay the rent." His line is now highly sought after and his store is ultra-cool and eclectic. You can get lost in his eponymous store and feel like you've traveled to India, Morocco or just back to the 19th century anywhere in the world. He has been collecting images, letters, books- anything that inspires him, focusing on 19th Century ephemera, for over 20 years. There is a lot of wonderful decoupage out there but John Derian's is different. He has an eye for the beautiful, graphic, colorful, witty, odd, macabre and dark. He often places images on top of old letters- I love this technique- it makes the image less perfect or pretty if you will - it adds a bit of curiosity and interest. He appeals to any sensibility with his work and displayed all together and it represents the many moods, emotions and experiences that we all have. He is now selling to more than 300 stores in the U.S and Internationally and has been acclaimed by Vogue and Elle Decor. He still has a studio in NYC where he hires a small staff of artisans to help with his production in addition to a small wholesale staff. He just recently designed a melamine line for Target, helping to launch his name to households other than the "artsy set." What I find fun and interesting in selling his work is that he chooses the images that interest him and you can choose a piece that resonates with you- that sparks a wonderful memory, makes you laugh, or just looks beautiful in your home. His plates can be hung, or displayed on easels. We offer the hardware for hanging and can help you find easels. His pieces can be used for entertaining (just wipe clean- do not submerge in water). They make wonderful birthday, hostess, housewarming and wedding gifts. Their appeal is timeless and has lasted for over 20 years and should last for many years to come.


His sealife and ship images are signature to his line.

We love his shell plates- they are beautiful as individual gifts and fabulous as a wall series, hung all together.