Jan designs Retail Store

From 1982 to 2001, I had a retail store location in Spokane, Washington. Called Jan designs, I offered my work for sale, graphic design services and produced work in my studio. I kept regular hours from 10AM to 6PM, tuesday through Saturday.

Rent kept getting more and more expensive and after 9-11, retail sales dropped off dramatically. In late fall of 2001, I decided to have an addition built onto the side of our home. My work commute went form 30 minutes down to walking through a door. That was great.

After 29 years of wholesale and retail art shows, keeping store hours and doing consignment jobs I decided to retire in the fall of 2008. But since I am redoing my Washington Studio this week, I wanted to share the "before pictures" of my retail store when it was in full swing.

From My Studio Wall

Here is a sign that I lettered hanging right on my studio wall. The original quote was "dip his brush into his own soul" but I thought, what the heck, I am a girl, right. It had to be "her!"

Changing Studio Locations

In December of 2008, I retired from my Calligraphy business in Spokane, Washington to move to Hawaii to be close to my son and four adorable Grandchildren. For now, we moved just for the winter months. I love Hawaii so much and had such a great winter going to basketball games, school plays, chapel services and classrooms. It was another chance to be like a mom.

But making major life altering transitions all at once proved to be a little stressful. My next door neighbor in Hawaii first introduced me to blogging and then I found Art Blogging and giving me back my creativity has been so good for me.

But my hubby has family in the Pacific Northwest and it is not a good time to sell houses so yesterday we moved back to Spokane for summer. Even though there are many people that I miss in Hawaii, it is good to see my long time Washington friends here and be in my expanded studio. Can't wait to unpack so I can start creating again! But just for now, here is my soon-to-be in full blossom Flowering Cherry Tree.

Peaceful Sunday

Well I must say, this is not one of my favorites. Love the verse, love the picture but somehow doesn't work putting it together. I need to learn more and I will try again. Moving tomorrow from Hawaii back to Washington State. Have a happy Sunday.

Journey

A good reminder that we are all in this journey together! And look, I am using my new chop.

I Give Thanks

This verse is from Psalm 117 which was used in our church service a couple of weeks ago. The background came about as a result of a painting demonstration for my friend and neighbor, Donna. She is teaching me how to use CS3 which sometimes is beyond my brain. (Ok, most times is beyond my brain) So this whole art work piece would not have happened without her help. Donna, this one is for you.

Chop

Last weekend I was invited to go to a Craft Show at the Okinawan Center in Waipio, Hawaii. There I discovered a Japanese Calligrapher. She not only lettered my name and told me what my name meant but carved a chop for me. This is my name and chop in beautiful Japanese lettering.