Since I can remember, I’ve been bringing imagination and creativity into every room and relationship. Whether it was moulding play dough, colouring pictures, filming dance routines and fashion shows, snapping photos with disposable cameras, or filling my diaries with stories—I’ve always been a Multidisciplinary Artist at heart.

Throughout school, my teachers praised my artistic abilities, but I didn’t fully own my talent until later in life. Maybe I let the “starving artist” mentality sink in a little too deep. But thankfully, I had a mom who believed in me wholeheartedly. She encouraged me to use my gifts and often reminded me:
“Don’t die with the music left unplayed within you.”
(She still has that quote framed on her wall.)

After high school, I entered what I lovingly call my awkward grace period—working as a cook at Pizza Hut and hostessing at Smitty’s diner, all while soul-searching about the direction I wanted to take.

Eventually, I made the bold choice to pursue my creative dreams. I put together a portfolio filled with pencil sketches of celebrities and applied to an art school while living in Alberta. I didn’t get in. But looking back, it was a blessing in disguise—it sparked my move to Ontario and brought me closer to family.

It would’ve been easy to make that rejection mean I wasn’t good enough. But instead, I made it mean this:
I just needed more practice—and I wasn’t giving up.

In my early twenties, I started using the tips I earned from waitressing at Outback Steakhouse to fund my creative growth. I enrolled in private lessons and wildlife oil painting classes at local galleries. Growing up with a single mom meant I couldn’t always afford the extras, so being able to pay for it myself felt deeply empowering.

Being in a space with other artists—surrounded by paint, passion, and possibility—lit a fire in me. I realized this “hobby” I loved could become a real career…
if I had the courage to choose it.

Once I began seeing the beauty that was revealing itself on each canvas, I knew—deep in my bones—that this was a sacred part of my soul I could no longer ignore. It deserved more of my energy, my attention, and my care than I had ever given it.

With every class, my confidence began to grow. I found myself late at night, endlessly searching for art schools online, dreaming of what could be.

Eventually, I committed—fully.

I moved to Oakville and enrolled in a year of Fine Art Fundamental studies to refine my skills and expand my creative toolkit. After twelve months of focused work, I built a strong enough portfolio to apply for the Bachelor of Applied Arts in Illustration at Sheridan College. The day I received my acceptance letter, I cried tears of pride. That moment was proof of what happens when we believe in ourselves and do the work.

But that acceptance was just the beginning.

The next four years were some of the most demanding—and defining—of my life. Countless late nights and all-nighters in the studio. Blood, sweat, and many tears. Breakthroughs through resistance and waves of self-doubt. What I thought would be a creative education became a spiritual initiation.

It wasn’t just about learning how to make art.
It was about learning who I was.
And reconnecting to a part of myself I had almost lost.

My work went through many evolutions as I experimented with different mediums, techniques, and subject matter. I paid attention to the stories, articles, and poems that pulled at my heart—and let that guide what I wanted to illustrate. I explored which tools felt natural in my hands and which ones made the process feel joyful and alive.

Like any artist, I went through phases that weren’t always pretty—but they were necessary. And I can honestly say, it wasn’t until the final year of my degree that everything began to click. My devotion, discipline, and vision finally aligned—and I exhaled a long, quiet sigh of relief.

My fourth-year thesis project was the turning point.

After the passing of my brother-in-law’s father, I felt a spiritual nudge to create something meaningful for the family. I gathered his handwritten poems—tucked away in boxes and scattered across loose pages—and brought them to life through a series of illustrations in a heartfelt, hardcover book. It became a visual tribute to his words, and a deeply healing gift for those who loved him.

This project marked a new chapter in my artistic journey.
It was the first time I created a truly cohesive body of work—and the first time I fully trusted my creative instincts as a channel for something greater.

I’m endlessly grateful I listened to that spiritual download.
Honouring the call led me on a transformative ride I’ll never forget.

At last, my paintings began to sing the way I felt inside. My colours became more vibrant. My shapes danced between the graphic and the organic. The visual elements mirrored everything I loved about Mother Nature—her beauty, rhythm, and mystery.

My images felt romantic, whimsical, and allegorical.
Soft, yet powerful.

It was as if the stars had finally aligned within my work—and for the first time, I saw myself clearly reflected on the canvas.

I graduated feeling like one of the most improved students in the program—proud, fulfilled, and deeply grateful that I had done everything in my power to honour this part of my soul’s contract. I was ready to begin my professional career as an Illustrator.

But, like I often do in life, I surrendered to the direction my spirit team was guiding me toward—and that direction was teaching.

I’ve always felt drawn to leadership, and whenever I’m passionate about something, I can’t help but share it with others. During my fourth year, while choosing my placement, I noticed myself continually gravitating toward teaching roles. That intuitive pull led me to the Oakville Art Society, a beloved local institution fostering creativity and community since 1965.

The moment I was hired, it felt like alignment.

I began shadowing their incredible instructors, soaking up wisdom while discovering how natural and alive I felt in the role of mentor. After graduation, I went on to lead my own summer art classes for kids—and I knew, without question, that teaching was going to be a meaningful part of my path.

That was the beginning of what would become a decade of supporting children, teens, and adults in rediscovering their creative spark.

One of my most rewarding chapters was being “Miss Janet” at Studio PAVAS, a private school for Performing and Visual Arts. Helping my students feel empowered in their gifts—whether they were adults reigniting their creativity, teens building portfolios, or little ones throwing paint and sparkles with joyful abandon—was an honour beyond words.

To be even a small part of someone’s journey toward self-expression and confidence?
That, to me, is the highest kind of art.

Over the past decade, I’ve had the honour of contributing to numerous creative communities and events, including Creative Mornings Toronto, RAW Artists Canada, and Thriving Artists. I’ve participated in group gallery shows, live art battles across Ontario, and several fundraisers for causes close to my heart—such as the Africa Yoga Project, AFCY (Arts for Children and Youth), and The Path’s Sacred Reciprocity for Mother Earth.

My passion for merging art with healing has also led to large-scale mural work, including a Tree of Life mural at Power Yoga Canada in Etobicoke, and a mandala mural at Power Yoga Romania in Bucharest.

These opportunities have allowed me to express my creativity in bold, community-centered ways—while staying deeply connected to the energy and intention behind each brushstroke.

While I do occasionally say yes to custom illustrations or fine art commissions that genuinely excite me, I’ve learned that the traditional freelance world—fast-paced, highly structured, and time-constrained—doesn’t align with my creative process. I needed to find alternative pathways to share my work in ways that felt more soulful and spacious.

I initially opened a Shopify store and later shifted to Etsy in 2015. At first, I stumbled through it—like many artists stepping into entrepreneurship. A mix of limited effort, technical overwhelm, and imposter syndrome meant progress was slow. But I’ve always believed in divine timing.

In the past few years, after taking courses with incredible Etsy business and marketing mentors, I began to understand the behind-the-scenes strategy. And everything started to shift.

Etsy has not only become a meaningful income stream—it’s allowed me to share my work in tangible ways, through offerings like giclée prints, journals, greeting cards, stickers, tapestries, and more. It’s connected me with a beautiful community of art lovers around the world, and has shown me, time and time again, that my work matters.

Reading heartfelt reviews from customers who’ve found comfort, joy, or inspiration through my creations has moved me to tears more than once.
Knowing my artwork brings hope, healing, and beauty into people’s lives fuels me to keep creating.

I remain in awe that something I once made to process my journey can go on to support someone else’s. It’s a gift I continue to nurture with reverence—and a skill I’ll spend my life dedicating myself to.

"We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect. We write to be able to transcend our life, to reach beyond it. We write to teach ourselves to speak with others, to record the journey into the labyrinth." - Anaīs Nin

Over time, I began merging my love of writing and storytelling with my visual art. I took the time to reflect and craft words that shared the deeper layers behind each piece—the life experiences, spiritual themes, and inner transformations that brought them into form.

Some of my most meaningful works took years of healing, alchemy, and devotion before they ever touched a canvas—let alone saw the light of day. Writing about them became a sacred part of the process. It felt important to honour the journey behind the imagery and give voice to the messages woven into every brushstroke.

Eventually, I began including these Creation Story printouts—thoughtful letters or artist statements—as a special bonus inside each package. The response moved me deeply.

Messages like:
"I literally fell to tears reading your beautiful letter about Surrender. Please keep touching and reaching hearts through your work."

This feedback affirmed what I had always felt: that my writing adds another dimension to the artwork. It opens hearts, creates deeper connection, and helps others feel seen, understood, and less alone.

Since then, I’ve received countless heartfelt messages—Etsy inbox notes and emails from people across the world—telling me how much the story behind the piece meant to them. Some have even said it felt like we were "long-distance friends," which I find incredibly sweet and humbling.

This is what keeps me going:
Creating from the soul. Sharing with honesty. And connecting with kindred spirits across the globe.

TAKING FLIGHT

One of my most beloved and transformative pieces is a painting titled "Surrender."
To date, nearly 600 prints have made their way to homes in over 20 countries—a humbling reminder of how art can transcend borders and speak directly to the heart.

“Surrender” marked a creative and emotional breakthrough for me.
It was the first piece I painted after a two-year hiatus, during which I couldn’t even bring myself to pick up a brush. The grief of losing my two best girlfriends had left me paralyzed creatively—and spiritually.

When I finally felt ready, this painting poured out of me.
It was a visual prayer.
An expression of pain, release, and the strength I found through my Yoga practice during one of the darkest seasons of my life.

What continues to amaze me is how universally people resonate with it—each in their own way. I’ve received hundreds of messages from people around the world sharing how “Surrender” helped them move through loss, reconnect with themselves, or feel something they hadn’t felt in a long time.

This experience reaffirmed what I’ve always believed in my bones:
Art is alchemy.
When we create from a place of authenticity, with the intention to heal ourselves and uplift others—the ripple effect is profound.

“Surrender” changed my life.
And through it, I’ve watched others transform too.

One of the most meaningful opportunities that came from sharing "Surrender" was being featured in a magazine called Corduroy Road—a social purpose corporation devoted to offering support and guidance through the many thresholds of the human experience.

The two women who founded this publication are radiant lights—beacons of hope, healing, and inspiration—and it's their integrity and heart-led mission that made it an easy "yes" for me to join them.

And no surprise...
You can find me in their “Surrender” issue.

It was such an honour to have my work included in a project that aligns so deeply with my own values: helping others navigate life’s hardest moments with grace, creativity, and courage.

THE HIGHEST HONOUR

This past year, I received one of the most meaningful honours of my artistic journey. My first nation teachers invited me to feature my visionary painting "Rebirth" in their Indigenous medicine songbook, alongside the sacred song "Ewe," which honours the Leaf Goddess.

To have my artwork included in this offering—one that supports sacred circles, community healing, and ancestral reverence—feels like one of my greatest accomplishments.

Every time I open that page and see Rebirth beside Ewe, my heart quietly sings:
“What an aligned blessing. Your work belongs here.”

This experience reminded me that paintings truly have a consciousness of their own. They speak, they guide, and they know where they’re meant to be—if we’re willing to listen.

Both Surrender and Rebirth made it clear that their home was to be at Vision Healing Arts, where their unique vibrations now live to support those walking through deep processes of spiritual evolution.

Painting is a form of liberation for me.
It allows me to channel my emotions into something sacred—using my life experiences as fuel and turning them into beauty, meaning, and light.

Sometimes, it’s about alchemizing grief, pain, and hardship. Other times, it’s about amplifying the vibration of falling in love, and sending that feeling out into the world.

Whatever the theme, every painting carries a piece of my heart.
I never make a stroke unless it feels true, meaningful, and alive inside me.

When I’m moved, excited, or cracked open—that’s when the magic flows.

My constant sources of inspiration flow from a deep reverence for Pachamama and the elements of the Earth. The natural world, in all her textures and rhythms, speaks directly to my soul.

My work is also shaped by my mystical experiences, my relationship with the spirit world, and my devotional practices—including yoga, medicine ceremonies, and energy healing. Creativity often stirs within me through music, movement, singing, and dance—each act a channel for expression and connection.

There are so many sacred contributors to the imagery I create.
It’s a living, breathing process that evolves with each chapter of my life.
Just like me, my art is always becoming.

My creative process is something I hold sacred.

I deeply honour every step that brings an unseen idea into form—from the initial spark of inspiration to the moment it becomes something visible, tangible, and alive. Whether it’s conceptual thinking, mind mapping, research, journaling, or sketching—from thumbnails to colour roughs—each phase is just as meaningful to me as the final artwork.

There’s no rigid formula I follow. Instead, I create intuitively and build living archives of what lights me up: photographs, textures, cutouts from magazines, nature treasures. You’ll often find my iPhone full of close-up texture shots, and my pockets full of leaves, feathers, or crystals. (Yes, I’m that artist!)

I seek out environments that nourish my life force energy.
I’m a jungle girl at heart—most alive when surrounded by lush greenery, wild flora and fauna, and the vibrancy of Earth’s colours. If I’m not in Costa Rica, you’ll likely find me recharging in Ontario’s butterfly conservatories or walking through the forest, letting nature whisper new ideas into my soul.

Solitude, stillness, and spaciousness are the key ingredients that allow beauty to unfold—both within me and through me. Whether it's a candlelit bath filled with healing aromas and ambient music, or a slow walk through the forest with birdsong and wind weaving through my hair—carving out sacred time as an artist is non-negotiable.

Everything I create carries intention.

I don’t paint flowers or landscapes simply because I can—or because I know they’ll sell. I create from emotion, energy, and story. My work is layered with meaning, memory, and mystery. And even if the viewer doesn’t consciously understand what’s behind the piece, they almost always feel it.

I let my visions and downloads percolate for as long as they need—until the energy is ready to be moved into form. I’m not someone who pumps out images quickly. But when I do, it’s because I’ve either channeled it from above or pulled it from the depths of my being.

That’s the kind of art I believe in.
That’s the kind of art I’m here to make.

"Nature does not hurry, and yet everything is accomplished." - Lao Tzu

There are certain mystical moments in my creative life when I feel like I’m not the one making the art—Spirit is.
I become a vessel.
I show up with my heart open, my skillset in hand, and simply allow what needs to come through.

One powerful example of this kind of artistic channelling happened after a dear friend experienced the sudden and devastating loss of her baby.

As I began painting Maverick’s portrait, it felt as though the brush moved through me effortlessly. The process was tender, sacred, and unlike anything I’d experienced before. While I worked, I began receiving impressions and loving messages—gentle transmissions meant for his mother.

His presence was palpable.
His essence filled the room.

This was the first time I experienced a Mediumistic link with a discarnate soul—while simultaneously creating art.

It was humbling. It was holy.
And it changed the way I understood my role as an artist and intuitive forever.

"The position of the artist is humble. He is essentially a channel." - Piet Mondrian

Image Credit: Alex Grey

Bridging the Realms: Seership & Artistry

Coming Summer 2026: Auragraph Soul Portraits

Behind the scenes, I’ve been slowly building the bridge between my Seership and my Artistry—a fusion I always knew was coming, even before I understood how it would take shape.

Years ago, I felt the quiet certainty that my visual creativity would one day merge with my psychic and mediumship work. I didn’t rush it—I simply trusted the unfolding.

In recent years, I’ve trained with masterful mentors and visionary teachers, including Spirit Artists and Auragraph practitioners—individuals who use their clairvoyance to bring healing and art together in profound ways. Through that journey, my own unique approach to this sacred work has emerged.

And now, I’m so excited to announce that in the new year, 2026, I will begin offering:
🌿 Auragraph Soul Portraits 🌿

This offering is both a healing session and a channeled artwork—a psychically inspired portrait of your soul's energy.

During our session, I’ll tune into your energetic field and intuitive impressions will begin to flow:
Colors, symbols, messages, metaphors—reflections of your past, present, or future potential. Spirit guides, animal allies, or elemental energies may also appear to support your journey.

Each piece is created in collaboration with Spirit, capturing your essence, your healing, and your growth in a one-of-a-kind visual language. It's not just art—it's an alchemical tool. A mirror of your soul’s wisdom. A portal for integration.

This offering has been years in the making, and it’s one I’m incredibly honored to bring into the world. It will be deeply intentional, heart-led, and lovingly handcrafted.

✨ Stay tuned for more details in the coming months.
✨ Newsletter subscribers will be the first to know when bookings open.

I'm also in the quiet, sacred process of writing and illustrating my very first book and healing oracle deck—a dream that’s lived in my heart for over a decade.

I’m holding myself with grace and patience, allowing it to unfold in divine timing. Week by week, as I continue to shed, heal, and rise within my personal journey, poetic language and potent imagery are beginning to reveal themselves.

It’s not becoming what I thought it would be—and it’s not necessarily for the audience I once imagined.
But God works in mysterious ways, and I’m learning to trust the deeper importance of this work, even in the face of inner resistance or uncertainty.

This creation is being built from the inside out.
It’s slow, intentional, and deeply alive.

And when the time is right, I know it will meet the people who need it most.

I'm currently channeling everything I’m moving through into a body of work I hope will one day support and uplift others walking a similar path.

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron has become a guiding light in this season of recovery and creative rediscovery. Her 12-week program has been nothing short of a saving grace—helping me rebuild trust in my artistry and reconnect with my inner well of expression.

I often ask myself: "How has this gem been sitting on my shelf for so long?" But perhaps now is exactly when I was meant to receive it. Listening to the audiobook on repeat and moving through the prompts and practices has been medicine for both my spirit and my art.

Thank you—truly—for being here.
For witnessing and supporting a sacred part of me and my journey.
It means more than words can express.

With love and many blessings,
Janet xx

While I’m currently on a couple year social media sabbatical, you can still stay connected or reach out below:

📬 Sign up for my monthly newsletter:
https://janetmanalese.com/contact-me/
(That’s where I share updates, offerings, and reflections during this unplugged chapter.)

🎨 Check out my Etsy Shop — JanetManaleseART:
Click the logo or visit directly via Etsy

📩 For inquiries about:
– Custom artwork
– Creative collaborations
– Opportunities or private art lessons

Please email me at: [email protected]

🌿 Follow along (once I return):
📷 Instagram: @icreatemyreality
📘 Facebook: Janet Parsons Art