Jacki Kellum Studio 2022

Jacki Kellum House in the Ozark Mountains

On April 1, 2020, I officially began moving into a 125-year-old Arts and Crafts house in the Ozark Mountains. My house is far from luxurious. In fact, I believe that my house was originally an old farmhouse. But the bones of my dwelling have survived the comings and goings for the past century and a quarter, and since I relish old farmhouses, I was thrilled that I was finally able to turn my new, old house into my home.

I’ve said it before: Home is the place where I hang my art. Therefore, I began hanging my art in the living room–over the fireplace mantel.

“If you are a dreamer come in
If you are a dreamer a wisher a liar
A hoper a pray-er a magic-bean-buyer
If you’re a pretender come sit by my fire
For we have some flax golden tales to spin
Come in!
Come in!”

– Shel Silverstein

For about a year, I tried keeping my house more formal–more like “the others” would like for me to live.

Jacki Kellum Sunroom 2020

But I moved into my house just as the Covid virus was settling in, and I had no visitors. Soon, I decided that my space was better served as a studio. Now, almost my entire house is a studio.

My Fabric Studio 2022
Now, my living room is my fabric studio.

Jacki Kellum Coiled Fabric Basket

Jacki Kellum Textile Art – Stitched Satin Cord

Over and again, I have tried to be only a painter, but my creative life began as a child–working with fabrics. I repeatedly return to fabrics and my textile art. It is easier for me if I have all of my fabrics organized and ready to use. Therefore, I have turned my living room into my fabric art studio.