Talk Shop: Jordan Connelly // Jordan Connelly studio
ABOUT JORDAN
Jordan grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina, and has always had a deep appreciation for nature and the natural beauty of the low country. Moving to South Carolina to attend the College of Charleston, Jordan channeled her interests in painting to a major in Studio Art and Biology. What started as a passion slowly evolved into the business that is Jordan Connelly Studio. For over 12 years, Jordan has followed her passion and continued to explore new mediums and surfaces to capture the beauty of the daily scenes surrounding her through original work, commissions, wallpaper, and textiles. Her art captures daily scenes—the marshy Lowcountry, dreamy waterways, beach days, and boats coming in and out of Shem Creek —helped her hone her talent and mold her distinctive style.
Jordan currently lives in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina with her husband, daughter, son, and two wild Goldendoodle pups. She continues to paint Lowcountry scenes that fill her soul. The way she captures the nature that surrounds her is so stunning, it’s no wonder she has a banner year up ahead with new art, a textile/wallpaper collaboration, and new brand collaborations as well. Enjoy this inspiring interview with Jordan!
Describe your style in three words or less:
My painting style: Happy, peaceful, ode to Impressionism.
My design style: Old world meets new world, happy classic.
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
My mom and aunts and their love for antiques, and my joy for the patterns and colors of nature and the scenes around me.
How did you start your company, and/or what is your favorite thing about what you do:
I was an art and biology major in college, which led to me becoming a full-time artist and Nurse Practitioner. Art, similar to helping people, is a universal language. With either, you can often communicate more freely, clearly, and palpably than by using words. I adore helping people through healthcare and also expressing my passion for life through painting. I painted for friends here and there throughout college and had random collectors inquire about my work, but I never viewed my art through the lens of a business. Healthcare was always my practical job and art was fun. I painted to process, to be thankful, and to be the happiest because I loved it.
I started my Instagram page shortly after discovering the social media platform about 5 years behind the times and shamelessly celebrated after 45 followers. I carried on painting and creating custom commissions largely by word of mouth. My husband and I met a couple on vacation in 2016 who are still dear friends of ours. I did not know this at the time, still trying to casually wrap my head around what Instagram even was, but the wife was quite well-known in the social media world and ended up re-posting one of my pieces. I credit the unexpected launch of my career to her. At the risk of sounding cliche, it was truly the pinch-me pivotal moment that opened my eyes to the reality of being able to turn my passion into a business. It was the surprise marketing kick-start that propelled and fueled my entrepreneurial spirit. Fast forward to 2024, and now I get to paint as a full-time career. I am still a part-time Nurse Practitioner because I want to be, but not because I have to be practical. Now I get to put on my straw hat and paint outside by the marsh, by a historic 100+-year-old tree or home, or on an island. I truly cannot believe this is my “job”. I love what I do.
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
I have found the entrepreneurial world holds everything close to the chest. I wish I had an artist mentor who knew they were my mentor or actively acted in that role. I read many books, studied many artists, and listened to “How’d She Do That” podcast regularly. That said, I do have many strong women who encourage and lift me up along the way. A mentor may not look exactly like what you would expect. It might not be someone in the same field doing the same thing. It could be an interior designer, influencer, photographer, or someone who owns a paper/daily planner shop or a mom or the ocean. There is a nugget of expertise and advice in everything. Being open to learning and growing from anything and everyone and being thankful has definitely shaped my trajectory.
What does your home say about you:
It says, this girl loves an antique, went to the beach today, and sure does love nature….and has two toddlers and two dogs.
Where do you find inspiration:
Hands down, nature. What a gift the outside is….the shapes, colors, patterns, textures. It can be natural, bold, dramatic, calm, stunning, powerful, scary. It’s all there. Also old books, new books of old images, and scrolling Instagram.
Who are your style icons:
My great-grandmother, my mom, my friends Tucker Knott and Megan Stokes.
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
Music, food, cocktails, and laughter.
Do you collect anything:
Shells, antiques, and art books.
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
@meganstokes for all things beautiful, @kimgrahamphoto for photography, @camwimberly1 for being a cool kind human, @anglinsmithfineart for their iconic work, @luliewallace and @tielart for their business expertise in the local art world, @farrowandball for color inspiration, @southernhomemag, @southernlivingmag, @archdigest, and @arielokin of course! Not an Instagram account, but anything Monet, Manet, or Sorrola.
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
I don’t know if it’s necessarily a rule, but sticking to the same style. I love mixing old antiques with newness peppered in, where the overall feel is classic and warm but with life splashed into it.
What are you working on right now:
Many, many things. I usually have about 10 things going at one time. I am always working on custom commissions. I’m about to start a new series of paintings. I am launching a few new fabric and wallpaper patterns this month, and have a big wallpaper and textile collaboration coming later this year that I am SO excited about. I have a few big brand collaborations coming this summer.
Wardrobe staples:
Dresses and flip-flops for me, although you’ll usually find me in soccer shorts and an old T-shirt.
Favorite fabric/wallpaper:
My Carolina in French Garden Wallpaper/Fabric.
Best interior advice you ever received:
Mix different shapes, scales, colors, patterns, and textures in a cohesive but not too matchy-matchy way….and of course not hanging curtains too low.
Best career advice you ever received:
Do what makes you happy and you’ll never work a day in your life, but also work hard.
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
Unfortunately, I inherited an expensive taste in style for no good reason. It’s annoying, but when presented with 5 options without a price tag 100% of the time I’d pick the most expensive one by chance. For that reason, I do have to think diligently about investments and savings. I prefer to go basic and neutral on rugs, lamps, hanging rods, sometimes basic solid neutral curtains for a main living area, quality comfortable larger pieces- sofa, bed, etc, but not a splurge, and things of that nature. If I know I want an antique for a certain staple piece, I’ll look on Facebook Marketplace first. My greatest investment is in the highlights: Showcase pieces like art (big statement pieces and smaller nook pieces), wallpaper, drapery, and upholstery for chairs or pillows I definitely invest in. I like to upgrade door knobs, sconces, and plumbing finishes. I know door knobs sound silly, but I feel like they really elevate a space immediately.
Your greatest extravagance:
I’m not very extravagant. We tend to be simple in this phase of our lives with young kids, although I realize simple is relative. Our beat-up old golf cart and very old small boat are our greatest extravagances that allow us to explore and enjoy this beautiful area we live into the fullest.
Favorite places to shop for home:
Antique shops, artists, and Perigold.
Most prized possession and why:
I would say my family of course, but that’s not really a possession. I really love our garden and old small boat. It allows us to get away from the noise of a regular day and into peaceful environments where we may not see another human for hours unless we bring them with us. I also really love our antique fireplace mantle. We bought it from a historic house in downtown Charleston that was renovating and wanted to get rid of it for some reason.
Your interiors motto:
Surround yourself with what makes you happy and peaceful, and don’t get too influenced by other people.
Your life motto:
Soak in every ounce of life out of life, and find happiness in everything.
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
Be yourself. There is so much repetition out there.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: All of it. Cheese, anything from the garden, puff pastry, fresh smoothies, anything from Chubby Fish in Charleston
Drink: Water, freshly squeezed OJ, margaritas, wine
Film: Blood Diamond, Patch Adams, Life of Pi, and any thriller
Hotel: Anywhere in the BVI’s
City: Charleston, SC (of course) and Telluride, CO
Bedding: The Company Store for basics, and Biscuit Home for pretty patterns
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): neither I’m weird
Playlist: Too many to list! The Beatles, The Band, Taj Mahal, Van Morrison, CCR, Trampled by Turtles, Mumford and Sons, Jack Johnson, Dierks Bentley, funk, jazz, classic, Spanish guitar, and old-school rap
Weekend Activity: Anything outside; beach, boat, fishing
Design Book: So many, but recently loving Amelia Handegan: Rooms