My Story

My name is BJ and I am the sole owner and creator here at Junk'd Up. I am a native New Yorker, born and raised on the south shore of Long Island. I spent 10 years in NYC as a twenty-something working different jobs such as an international flight attendant, writing legal contracts for a major publishing house and a home goods buyer for Macy's. After doing a three year stint just outside Washington, DC, our family moved to Indiana. It was a homecoming of sorts as my husband and I both attended college in the Hoosier state, although different schools. Recently, our family had the opportunity to move abroad to Copenhagen, Denmark for a few years and it was the best of times and the worst of times (global pandemic anyone?). We returned stateside in 2022 to another Hoosier homecoming.

Through it all I have always nurtured my creative side. I dabbled in furniture painting out of necessity first as a poor college grad trying to make it in NYC and then as a new mom with a growing family and a shrinking budget.

As my kids grew and I found more free time I spent more time and energy on painting furniture. Before I knew it I was painting for friends and opening my first retail booth. Opening a retail space allowed me to paint my own ideas and to curate vintage goods which is my other favorite hobby. I dream of having my own storefront where I can sell random things I like, rock out to great music and meet new people with whom I can share my love of paint.

My style is colorful and imperfect with lots of patina and personality. I am drawn to timeworn, vintage finishes. I love a layered paint look which hints at a piece of furniture having lived an authentic life. Perfection is an illusion.

I have begun an exploration of putting brush to canvas. Using all the tricks and techniques I have learned through years of painting furniture and finally feeling as if I have something to express, I paint unconventional art. No flowers or pretty sunsets on my easel!

For several years I was an instructor with Furniture Painting University. I have presented and exhibited at the Indianapolis Home Show, offered my work in an art gallery and been featured in several magazines including Redbook and Canvas Rebel. Most recently I was selected as a curator for The Turquoise Iris Journal magazine where I publish exclusive content for subscribers. I am so very excited about this opportunity! You can find all of my Turquoise Iris Journal content here.

I love to mentor and love to answer questions. Let me know what I can do for you.