Meet Jayme H. Mansfield

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jayme H. Mansfield.

Jayme, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am an artist, author, and educator. I started Piggy Toes 25 years ago in Denver as a custom, hand-painted furniture company, specializing in children’s pieces. Upon moving to Lakewood in 2003, I was fortunate to find a home-based art studio with room to accommodate large groups for instruction and work on my often large-scale canvases. The company transitioned away from painting furniture to instead providing art instruction for kids and adults. I still offer Coffee & Canvas, Wine & Art Nights, private parties, and my favorite, intensive art retreats. However, my goal has always been to keep the studio non-commercialized and classes are offered on a limited basis and always taught by me. Although my love to teach and help others develop a passion for visual art hasn’t waned, I am over the moon with creating, showing, and selling my own art — particularly floral abstractions that grow from an intuitive and freestyle approach to acrylic on canvas. The ever-growing series is consistently referred to as “joyful and hopeful”. For that, I am motivated to paint on!

I began writing fiction about 13 years ago. I have three traditionally published books, Chasing the Butterfly, RUSH, and Seasoned (releases Nov. 2020). Fortunately, my writing has been well-received with the books earning several awards, including RUSH being named a Colorado Book of the Year in 2018 and The Village Read in 2019. Through a mixture of historical and contemporary fiction, each book contains an artistic theme. My latest manuscript is about an intriguing art forgery. Often, I share about my writing and artistic pursuits at book clubs, speaking events, and conferences.

My teaching career spanned 20 years in both private and public schools. Four years ago, I had “retired” to focus on my writing, art studio, and my own painting. Well … that didn’t last long as I am back in the classroom teaching K-5 art for the second year. Funny how fleeting “retirement” can be!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Not too long ago, I had what I refer to as an “art identity crisis”. I had become so busy teaching others how to create art (both at my studio and at a school) devising projects and themes that others would enjoy and find success, that I questioned my artistic style and abilities. I found myself discouraged, stretched too thin, and at a standstill with my own creativity. The matter wasn’t helped as a published fiction writer and the task of producing manuscripts and navigating the publishing world can be an exhilarating yet heavy load. My novels all contain an artistic thread of the transforming power of art. Though my art and writing are a natural blend, juggling both sometimes results in a ball being dropped.

The good news … it took galloping on a horse across the top of a butte in Wyoming and painting at a lavender farm on an island to break through the barrier… and come out on the other side with new eyes and heart for creating, both in my art and writing. Thus, my branding tagline was born… “Loosening the reins and leaning into the creative life.” Take a peek at my website home page for more of the story, www.jaymehmansfield.com.

Please tell us more about your art.
The actual art studio business of Piggy Toes provides art instruction for kids and adults. Most definitely, the studio is known for its relaxed, personalized, and individualized approach to creating — there are no cookie-cutter art projects here. From its inception, the studio has grown from word-of-mouth, with the intention to keep it welcoming, edifying, and motivating.

I’m most proud of the wonderful relationships that have formed over the years in my studio and speaking at book clubs and events–in the studio, artists, whether new or seasoned, have an encouraging, lively, yet peaceful place to enjoy the creative process. Having heartfelt talks with book lovers and witnessing the power of story is life-changing. Of course, I am extremely proud that I overcame my “art identity crisis” and fully enjoy painting and being able to share the outcome with others.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Good question! In hindsight, I would have gifted myself focused time on my own art development. But who knows … perhaps I had to go through a “drought” to enjoy the refreshment I now experience in my own art.

Admittedly, I am one with her toes in many puddles (writing, art, educating, family…). I often wonder if I had narrowed my focus and went headlong into my personal art development or kept my nose on the keyboard for my books, how things would be different now. But without a doubt, I am grateful for my journey — no fame and fortune, but thrilled to do the things I love.

Contact Info:

• Address: 11069 W. Bear Creek Drive, Lakewood CO 80227
• Website: www.jaymehmansfield.com
• Email: jayme.mansfield@me.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaymemansfield/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaymehmansfield
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/JaymeMansfield
• Other: The Painterly Life (private FB group) https://www.facebook.com/groups/531308627384046/

Image Credit:
Photography by Abbey Rice, Book cover art by Kelly Berger

Suggest a story: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.