10 Talents = 1 Dime

For me sometimes, but probably not for you, a dime found all alone in an odd place is a symbol or sign. A dime is a reminder to me of my natural talents or abilities. When I see a dime, I feel as though God is asking me to remember my talents and that I […]

Waiting for Here

Jana’s Sketchbook No. 9 For the past several years now, I have been in “wait” mode. I have been waiting for a diagnosis or answers at least. Waiting to feel better. Waiting to walk again without pain. Waiting to lose weight. Waiting to get back to work, rather than doing the “work half of the […]

The Creative Roller Coaster & the Sturdy Rock

Jana’s Sketchbook No. 8 Being an artist can be difficult. We artists endure a wider range of expression and experience than many. Our ups are higher than words can express, and our downs go deeper than we would ever wish for others. Add in a few loops and spiral turns and we just want the ride to stop. Does […]

Stuck Between the Past & the Future

I was at lunch recently with a friend and somehow we got on the subject of twin whirlpools. I had never heard of them. She mentioned that people kayaking experience them in rivers, and that the only way out of them is not the logical way out. One would think to paddle forward or across, […]

Clear the Way for Creativity

“Less is more.” > Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (The best design and art work is simple, straight to the point, has one concept, a single idea, is focused, etc.) I always start any project with my sketchbook. I immediately write, scribble, and/or doodle. I consciously try to let go to allow creativity to happen. […]

Step 1 for Creativity: Be Still

Be Still & Listen I have several creative projects going. These projects are things that I have been wanting to do, but haven’t. They are things that I know I should do, but haven’t. And, they are things I don’t even know I need to do yet. When I add these things to my already […]

Find Creative Freedom: Scribble

Many of us are bombarded daily with various levels of chaos. We may have a difficult time finding quiet, yet it is in the quiet, the calm, and the stillness that we can create. So, I scribble. I scribble without fear of judgement. Without fear of getting it right. I just scribble. I scibble to […]

Ego & Pride in Creativity

Allow Creativity to Drive There is a time to be proud of what you have accomplished. It’s a time to celebrate and build a monument to achieving a victory–as long as you know it was the right victory. There is a time to be confident in your abilities. It’s a time to courageously push past […]

Are Bad Things All Bad?

I learned it as a child; I learned it in the workplace; I learned it as an adult: Bad things are bad, and good things are good. We are taught to be good and do good, so that good things will happen. We are taught that if we are bad or do something bad, bad […]