About Jamie Givens and Murals & Things.....

Murals by jamie est. 1998  .....& Things found me later Murals are the heart of my business.   My name is Jamie Givens Schneider, I have owned and operated Murals and Things by Jamie since 1998.  I painted my first mural for Theda Jenkins Nursery in 1998, and that is how the story began.  Word of mouth traveled fast, and before I knew it I was in Georgetown painting for one of her colleagues.  Seeds were being planted all over Lexington simply thru word of mouth.  My younger sister Elizabeth was working at Stanley J's Deli, and overheard a lady in line who mentioned looking for someone to paint her son Jackson's Playroom.  When she approached the counter, my sister said, "My sister could do that for you," and thus Jackson's Dinosaur Playroom was created.  They family couldn't stop there, they are huge Jimmy Buffett Fans, so we had to create a space for them as well......the Margaritaville Bathroom was created.  I painted for their neighbors, their other family members, and for their friends.  My family, friends, and previous clients were passing on my name to their hairdressers, dentists, doctors, friends, their families, teachers........and I think you are getting the idea.  I have painted kids rooms, nurseries, playrooms, businesses, school rooms, home school rooms, offices, and homes all over Lexington, Louisville, Georgetown, and even some in IL, OH, and IN.  What an adventure!   More about me, I have had many other interests throughout my life besides painting.  I discovered Metal Arts (welding, fabricating, casting) in college.  I graduated from the University of Kentucky with a BFA in Fine Arts with an emphasis in Metal Art.  I had my BFA Graduation show "Metalmorphosis" in 2004 at UK's Arboretum Park (left).  I fell in love with blacksmithing at Penland School of Craft in 2006 and 2007 (right).  Other things about me besides my love of ART, umm.... let's see.  I have always considered myself an athlete and I have always exercised or worked out in some way.  Running has always been my most consistent form of exercise.  I was a cheerleader all my life and eventually cheered on the Varsity Squad at the University of Kentucky.  We won a National Championship in 1999, and besides all the regular football and basketball games, I got to cheer at the Outback Bowl and the SEC Tournament.  In 2001, I traded in my pom-poms for a bike and rugby cleats.  I discovered cycling and I worked for Cycle America in 2001 and 2003.  I have ridden my bicycle from Seattle to Boston twice....yep 4, 200 miles each time.  I met wonderful people, that I will always love, and never forget.   In the summer of 2008, I started the Lexington Black Widows Women's Rugby Team (www.blackwidowrugby.com).    So what am I up to these days?  Well, besides painting, I still run, play rugby, and I take a blacksmithing course at Penland if I can.  I married Buddy Schneider in 2009 and we bought a house in 2010 and put a studio in the basement.  We love it, and so do my huskies, Angel and Demon.  I spend most of my free time with my husband Buddy and our daughter Annabelle.  I try to hang out with my friends and family as much as possible.  My nephew Gray, and nieces Lilly Kate and Laurel are the loves of my life and I wish I could spend every second with them.         My Mom, Buddy, Jen, Matt, Beth.... all of my family and friends are so wonderful and supportive of my work, and I hope they know how much I love an appreciate them.                 Thanks for stopping by Murals & Things by jamie