We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jean McMullen a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jean, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We believe kindness is contagious and so we’d love for you to share with us and our audience about the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

The kindest thing ever done for me was when my Monday Watercolor Class took it upon themselves to update Missouri Artists On Main classroom. The worked as a team to coordinate buying supplies to paint, move cabinets around, make them orderly by filing, boxing and labeling supplies. They painted the classroom a cream color with white trim. Cabinets were painted a pale green with new knobs and lastly added window treatments to make the room complete. I couldn’t help because I had hip surgery. Can you images these ladies and some husbands and sons, giving their time and talents to beautify our classroom. Every time I think about it brings a tear to my eyes. Needless to say, I want to hug them for the love they showed me each time I walk into that room.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

After retiring from teaching Art in the public school, I began showing my watercolors in art shows/festivals around the Midwest. That was good until my husband had major health issues and it was too hard to do the shows anymore. Then I decided to open a gallery, hence Missouri Artists on Main came about. Now MAOM is a successful gallery located in St. Charles, Missouri. We have been in business for 14 years.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Covid was really a hard time for the gallery. We had to close for a number of months and then we were only open on the weekends. It was hard paying the rent with no money coming in. Then students started asking when we were starting classes again. They missed their friends and classmates. They were willing to wear masks and take the chance being together. So we opened and we are still open to this day!

Have you ever had to pivot?

One thing comes to mind. I exhibited my work in art fairs around the country. I loved it but if you ever had that experience, it’s a lot of work, physically and mentally. We had a trim line tent that was very sturdy but it took planning to put it up and then take down no matter what the weather. Our last show, it was extremely hot! Two days later my husband had a heart attack. I’m sure the stress and heat from that show played a big part in his heart attack. Pivot!! Decided to stop doing shows and open a gallery!! Good decision that I never looked back too!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.maomgallery.com
• Instagram: Maomgallery.com
• Facebook: Missouri Artists On Main