Friday Night We're Painting Dolly
Friends,
This Friday night, John Carter Cash and I are planning to paint Dolly.
Together.
It still feels a little surreal to write that.
We’ll be painting live at the Factory in Franklin during Art Crawl, September 4 from 6–9 PM - creating a piece inspired by a woman whose life, generosity, faith, and enormous creative spirit left a mark on so many of us.
If you’re close enough to come, I would love to see your face there.
And if Tennessee is nowhere near you, I’ll be sharing pieces of the night with you during and/or afterward. This one feels bigger than your average Friday-night event.
I’m sure looking forward to hearing the stories.
John Carter Cash & Dolly Parton
Photo credit: Johnny Cash
“Iridescent Dolly”
mixed media on wood
18” x 36”
Dolly made room for people.
For artists. For dreamers. For people who showed up with talent and nerve and hoped there might be a place for them.
I painted her long before this week because of what she gave this city - and what she gave people like me.
And now there’s something else I’m very excited to share.
The Arts Council of Williamson County, the Factory at Franklin, and I are gathering artists for a special exhibition celebrating Dolly’s life and legacy, opening October 1 on the art wall at the Factory.
There’s no one way to interpret her.
Paint the music. The faith. The mountains. The rhinestones. The generosity. The strength. The humor. The woman herself. Paint what Dolly means to you.
If you’re an artist - or you know someone whose work belongs in that room -
Let’s give her a room full of color.
🦋🩷🌟
GalleryHouse Highlights!
Two girls grew up together in an orphanage in Thailand.
They were adopted on the same day by two families who love Jesus — one from the East Coast and one from the West.
Every year since, those families have brought the girls back together so they never lose the roots they share.
Somewhere along the way, the two families became one…
What an honor to celebrate and collaborate with them.
Every hand in both households each left a mark.
One of the dads couldn’t be there. When he saw his family’s finished piece, he said, “a painting has never made me cry until now.”
The paintings share each family’s values, as well as the special bond they have together. 🇹🇭 🐘
Some stories you get to tell.
This one I got to hold a brush for.
LEAVES & LAYERS — OCTOBER 8–9
I’ve been dreaming about this one for a long time.
An overnight retreat for women at GalleryHouse — the house across the street that we bought and filled with art.
Ten women.
One night away.
Dinner together. Brunch together. Art. Conversation. God’s Word. And space to look honestly at the season you’re actually in — not necessarily the one you planned on.
This isn’t just a workshop.
It’s permission to come away.
Every woman I know is carrying something right now.
This is a place to set some of it down, make something beautiful with your hands, and listen for what God might be doing in this season.
October 8–9
10 spaces
$595
There’s also an opportunity to sponsor a woman for a future retreat. Someone once made that kind of space possible for me. If you can’t come, consider sponsoring a woman who can’t afford it.
Let’s make an impact - together.🙏🏼✨
ALSO COMING TO GALLERYHOUSE
I’m also opening a four-week Mixed Media Class at GalleryHouse on Sundays in October from 3–5 PM.
All supplies are included, every experience level is welcome, and I’m keeping it intentionally small — just eight seats.
I’ll share all the details soon, but if you already know you’re interested…
WHERE THE WORK IS HANGING
If you do find yourself in Franklin, my paintings are hanging at Honest Coffee inside the Factory.
And… that's my BABY Jessy!
Look how TALL she has grown! 😳
And just a few steps away, on the Factory at Franklin art wall by the big chair, is an exhibition I curated for the Arts Council of Williamson County featuring Nashville singer-songwriter friends who also paint:
Jim Messina.
John Carter Cash.
Madeline Kiel.
Go see what happens when these people put the guitar down and pick up a brush.
And Friday night?
We paint Dolly.
I hope some of you will be standing there with us.
I’d Love to Hear From You!
Just send me a note - I read every response personally. ✨
With heartfelt gratitude,
ShenShen, Jimmy and the Team
P.S. As always, please let us know how we can be praying for you, it would be an honor and a pleasure. 🩷