JanMarie’s Journey Into Art

Throughout her adult life, JanMarie tried just about every creative outlet she could get her hands on—needlework, quilting, pottery, stained glass, even theater acting (yes, she still does that!). Truly, she was creating beauty everywhere except on a canvas.

Painting, she believed, was simply something she “didn’t have the talent for.”

But life has a way of surprising us.

About four years ago, JanMarie found herself navigating an incredibly painful and overwhelming season: her husband’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, a major move, a fixer-upper house, and the devastating loss of her youngest daughter. In the midst of all that, she needed something to hold onto—something that was hers, something positive, something life-giving.

And right then, one of my videos appeared on her Facebook feed, saying anyone could paint.

What a moment of grace right when she needed it most.

She gave it a try. And guess what? She discovered she could paint. More than that—she discovered an identity waiting inside her all along. Today, she proudly says, “I am an artist.” That sentence alone could light up a whole room.

She’s now a lifetime member of our Dabble community. She comes to retreats, she keeps learning, she keeps growing, and she keeps showing up with heart. What an incredible testament to resilience and creativity.

Where She Finds Inspiration

Nature inspires her endlessly. And clouds? Clouds are her obsession in the best possible way.

She told me she has hundreds of cloud photos saved “for future reference,” which made me smile. Artists collect inspiration the way some people collect seashells—joyfully and without restraint.

Why She Loves DabblePaints™

When I read her description of our paints, I laughed because it was so perfectly said:

“The difference between Dabble Paints and other top brands is like comparing the purest, most perfect homemade frosting in the world to a can of ready-made frosting off the shelf.”

I’m not kidding—this may be the most delicious paint review ever written. And as someone who has eaten her fair share of frosting in the name of research, I felt this deeply.

But truly, that buttery smooth, vibrant texture is exactly what I want artists to experience.

The Painting She Chose to Share

This part of her story absolutely touched my heart.

JanMarie describes painting as a way to finally express images, emotions, and memories she’s carried inside for years. The piece she shared is a painting of an HC-130, the aircraft flown by her brother-in-law as a special ops pilot. It was a gift for him—but it also carries a deep personal connection to her father, who flew C-130s during his Air Force career.

Growing up, she loved flying with her dad. He would point out the window and say, “Just look at those clouds, Jan!”

And later in life, when dementia took many memories from him and even her name, one thing remained. Every day, without fail, he looked outside and said those same words:

“Just look at those clouds.”

Art holds stories. And this one, painted with such love, holds a lifetime of them.

Her Advice to Beginners

Her guidance is simple, grounded, and absolutely true:

“Don’t overthink it! Just stay loose and keep going. Paint what makes you happy.”

If we could bottle that wisdom and hand it out at the studio door, the whole world would paint with more joy.

JanMarie, thank you for sharing your heart, your memories, and your incredible resilience with us. You remind us all that art can be healing, hopeful, and profoundly human. Your story adds so much light to our artist family.

Keep creating, keep shining, and keep bringing more beauty into the world.

 XO,
 Jen