Creativity with Music

Picking it Up Again I see sparks fly as musical notes fill the air. The depth and wonder of sound resonate artfully in my heart. My body feels the vibration as the music washes over, through, and inside of me. My mind wants and waits for that perfect note. My mind stretches outside of my […]

Feeling Pretty, or…

Why do we do this? Why do we paint our fingernails? Why do we want them long and pretty? When we paint our nails, we are trying to feel more feminine. We go to salons and pay a lot of money to make our nails amazing. Women and men get their nails done to feel […]

Looking for a Magic Bullet

I know that a lot of people are looking for healing. Many people hope and pray and expect to be healed all at once, declaring it to be so. I confess I’m looking for that magic bullet too, and I don’t believe in engaging in magic. I’ve been waiting for a miracle and in the […]

Emotions: I CAN/NOT

Whether I “Can” or “Cannot” really does not matter. Not if I’m talking about making art, or overcoming a debilitating CRPS or EDS flare up. I need to focus on what I “Can” do at that moment, and place my “Cannot” where it belongs. Problem is, it can be really hard. When I hear myself […]

This & That

THIS thing is happening to me. This thing exists here and now, and most likely will in the distant future. This keeps me awake at night, and restless in the day. The problem with this is, I cannot help but remember THAT. There was no this in that. That was a time when worries seemed […]

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 […]