I call myself an artist. I am attracted to a variety of art forms that include writing, graphic art, cartooning, and storytelling. I use words and pictures to express myself in various ways and combinations. Sometimes it’s all, or mostly, words, sometimes mostly pictures, and sometimes I use words as pictures.
Calling myself anything feels too narrow. At least 'artist,' like Walt Whitman, contains multitudes. The term 'artist' helps me to stay grounded in a deep awareness that however much I feel a desire to offer encouragement and insight to my fellows, the only work I can produce that’s worth anything comes from a place within me of mystery—of faith and humility. Every day I feel opposing urges to be a know-it-all, or a know-nothing. I dearly hope that I will continue to find the middle path of true feeling, honesty, and artmaking.
Calling myself anything feels too narrow. At least 'artist,' like Walt Whitman, contains multitudes. The term 'artist' helps me to stay grounded in a deep awareness that however much I feel a desire to offer encouragement and insight to my fellows, the only work I can produce that’s worth anything comes from a place within me of mystery—of faith and humility. Every day I feel opposing urges to be a know-it-all, or a know-nothing. I dearly hope that I will continue to find the middle path of true feeling, honesty, and artmaking.
Tending a wild garden...
Lamb & Lion Studio came into being around 1990. At first I called it Janina Lamb Productions, which is a pretty obvious name for stuff I make. And then I came up with Lamb & Lion Studio and started using that. At first it mostly represented my making and selling things business (posters, notecards). As I did more freelance work, Lamb & Lion Studio became the all-purpose hub that represents everything I do. It's the name of my studio...