This is the latest in a regular series in which I seek out some of my favorite local makers and artists, and demand to know more about them. Politely and with good intentions, of course.
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The last time we met with Flea Style founder and expert curator of talented people, Brittany Cobb, we took the opportunity to ask her which local artists we should know. Her first answer: Our Green Nest. The online shop is run by Fort Worth resident and mother of two, Jillian Ragsdale, who has been beautifying antlers with a rainbow of acrylic paints since 2014. The nature lover’s vibrant, bohemian creations certainly caught our eye, so we reached out to Jillian to learn a little bit more about the Texas maker, and how those crazy cool antlers came to be.
Did you always know you wanted to do something creative when you grew up?
Well I actually grew up wanting to be an attorney like my dad. I had it all planned out. It wasn’t until midway through college I realized that wasn’t the right path for my life. I had always loved creating, whether it be through art, photography, theater, party designs, writing, and so forth. Those things had always brought me such great joy and fulfillment, so I knew whatever I did, it had to involve something creative. After college I worked as an event designer, which was amazingly fun as I’ve always loved a well-done, detailed party. When I became a mother, my creativity has truly. I have always strived to model a creative life for my daughters. I try to show them how creativity and artistic talents can be utilized in an endless amount of big and small ways, even just in day-to-day life, to help make the world a more beautiful place.
The antlers. They’re amazing! Tell us how that came to be.
Well, funny story. A few years ago, my husband and I were cleaning out our garage and we ran across this deer skull he had found when he was younger and had hung on to. I asked him what we were going to do with it and he suggested I paint it some bright, fun color and then hang it somewhere in the house. So as a surprise Christmas present that year I painted the antlers a rainbow of beautiful colors for him. He absolutely loved it! I posted it on Instagram and got a really nice response, and some friends suggested I sell them on online. I had created an Etsy shop way back in 2007, but had never gotten around to selling anything. I searched online to see if there was anything similar already out there, and at the time, there really wasn’t anything quite like it. So yep, it all started with my wise husband’s suggestion that I paint “El Hefe.” He hangs on the wall across from our bed and we just love him—he’ll always be the first.
How customizable are your pieces? If people bring you antlers or an antique longhorn skull, will you paint those?
I am completely open to custom pieces and would love to paint anything anyone wants to bring me! Thus far, I have only gotten some custom embroidery and weaving requests, as well as a custom antler shed request to mirror the one featured in Country Living.
Your pieces are so wonderfully Texas. How has the longhorn state’s nature and all-around-vibe influenced your work?
Well I am a Texas girl, and our family is very passionate about getting out and exploring this great, incredibly beautiful, state. It has so much to offer and I’m endlessly inspired by all that we see on our travels. We are truly a nature-loving family and spend as much time outdoors as possible and that’s where I am by far the most inspired, BUT our style isn’t your classic Texan. It’s Texas with a modern, bohemian twist. #TexasForever
Do you paint anything else in addition to antlers?
Yes I do actually…I’ve been working on something new I will be debuting at Flea Style’s spring show on March 12. So come and see!
