If you think of a piece of art that you love, I bet you can also recall a way in which it connects you to someone. I dabble in art every now and again, and I painted three little bird watercolors which are hanging on my wall. I painted them when we lived in Maine and they remind me of our cabin, and the canoe rides we took together on the Cobbossee in West Gardiner. Those little birds connect my mind to the moments I spent with loved ones on that river.

My niece Jeanette is a gentle soul who expresses what is important to her through her art. I’ve watched her journey into the professional art world with wonder and awe. The photos below are from our plain air painting photoshoot in Rock Canyon. Let me share with you what she said about her life as an artist.

Me: What is it about yourself that inspires you to be creative?

Jeanette: I am inspired to be creative when I see and truly appreciate the beauty of this world. Because God is a creator, I also want to create beauty and help others to see and appreciate it. My faith and relationship with God is a motivator for creativity because it helps me to see something deeper and more spiritual in an object, experience, or person and want to explore, express, and share ideas and impressions through a visual language…I want to use painting as a medium for asking big questions and facing honestly the parts of myself that are deeply human—hurting, weak, scared, and flawed—as I seek to reach out and touch the Divine in a search for truth and wholeness.

Me: Can you give me some background into your painting career?

Jeanette: I did study art in college, but I set it aside for about 12 years...Once [my children] were all in school I decided to obtain [more] training because I wanted to be prepared to do high level work and to depict the human figure…When my children were teenagers I obtained classical art training at Beaux Arts Academy, which was an amazing and inspiring experience. In 2020 I went through a divorce after nearly 20 years of marriage. At this time I began painting professionally and selling my work. I also realized I could use even more education…I moved to NYC for graduate studies at New York Academy of Art where I received my MFA in painting.

This year Jeanette came home to Utah with her new husband John. They’re settling into their home in Utah Valley and she’s excited to be a part of the local art community and paint full-time.

Me: What is a life lesson that has resonated with you?

Jeanette: I went through a period of my life which lasted many years when I felt discouraged. I was a busy young mother, and although I loved being able to raise my children as a stay at home mom, I often struggled internally in personal ways and yearned for a greater level of happiness and fulfillment...I developed a couple of practices that helped me to change myself internally. The first was that I began keeping a daily gratitude journal…It helped me to develop a deep trust that no matter how low I felt, God would show up for me that day…Secondly, as I read from scripture each morning, I began noticing and being impressed by the outcomes of individuals who practiced and exercised their faith. I learned how an internal belief and expectation could inspire action that led to miracles and tangible results. I felt inspired to grow in my faith…Over a period of time, not only did I feel different inside, it changed my external world in a positive way. I learned that changing our lives begins with changing our [own] thoughts and heart.

The scene above is the one Jeanette is working on below. I marveled at her process of mapping it out—a rough sketch via her brush. The picture quickly began to take shape and with Jeanette’s permission, I will certainly post the final piece once it’s done.

Me: What are your hopes and dreams for the future?

Jeanette: I have many hopes and dreams for the future. My artistic goals are interwoven into my goals around my family life and the joy and fulfillment I have around parenting. The type of home my husband and I are working to create, [as well as] being a part of our children’s lives… are all important parts of my hopes for the future.

Jeanette: In terms of my art business, I want to create a sustainable practice that will not only bring joy and meaning to my life, but also impact others for good…I imagine having opportunities to travel internationally for exhibition and teaching opportunities, and I believe that these will provide enrichment and excitement in our lives. It is important to me to live a healthy lifestyle that will enable me to continue painting and learning into old age. I look forward to many years of growth and productivity ahead.

When I asked Jeanette if she has a favorite piece, she gave me permission to share this moving painting:

I have never lost a child as depicted here, but I can feel the grief of the scene—that familiar pain of deep loss and sorrow that we all face at some point, a connection we have with each other.

Thanks for being a part of my story Jeanette. And thanks to all my readers who connected with us in a beautiful way today. You are what makes the world good and kind and safe.

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