The Journal

The hype of it all - My day visiting a women's expo
When you think of a ladies expo what do you think of? Candles, eyelash extensions, makeup, spices, art, photography, chocolate, yoga, massage, purses etc.? I do. Personally, churches, insurance, and gutter guards don't come top of mind.  Recently, I went to the highly anticpated "Women's Expo" in Ottawa with a friend of mind. Perhaps having helped organize and book such an event years ago in another city I had an idea of what and event like this should look like. Although I appreciate the efforts of everyone involved - and... Read more...
The Brutal Truth
Not everyone is going to like you, and that’s okay. From questionable footwear to showing up online on bad hair days, a little reminder that perfection doesn’t exist. Keep being yourself, show up anyway, and give your people a chance to find you. Read more...
Changing for good - Julie Jeanne Art
Changing for good
As autumn reminds us that change is part of life, I reflect on the seasons we move through and my “All Eyes on You” series: 100 animal eyes celebrating the... Read more...
One down - twenty more to go - Julie Jeanne Art
One down - twenty more to go
I survived. After what felt like months of planning, although it was really only a few short weeks, the first of many of "my" artshows was this past weekend. I... Read more...
Don't be a TOJ - Thief of Joy
In a world where "minimum wage, minimum effort" has become a mantra, good service feels like a rare find. Reflecting on over twenty years in customer relations, Julie Jeanne explores why kindness still matters — and why refusing to be a Thief of Joy might just be the most radical thing you can do. Read more...
Cheers to another year - or another day
Every moment should be appreciated - every day treasured. In this post, Julie reflects on how her perspective changed over the years In a world that moves fast, beauty waits for those who pause. This piece is an invitation to slow down, look closer, and find something worth cherishing in the everyday — because every day, like every great work of art, is unrepeatable. Read more...
Feeling unnoticed in a world of selfies
Smiling at a passer-by. Saying thank you to someone who opens the door for you. Extending a compliment to a stranger. All of these actions, although meaningful, are not tangible. What do I mean by this? Having worked in customer service for most of my life, I am accustomed to offering a friendly, efficient experience to guests and customers. On many occasions, I would turn their frown upside down (cheesy, but true). I excelled at this; it became my mission to turn a negative into a positive. Many customers, as... Read more...
Origins of a Log-Lifter - Julie Jeanne Art
Origins of a Log-Lifter
I wanted to work at a gas station. I also wanted to be an architect. I ended up an artist. Honestly? The kid who sketched life-sized Michael Jacksons probably should... Read more...
Rushing the waiting
I was thinking recently about all the time we spend waiting — waiting in traffic, waiting to check out our groceries, waiting at the airport, the doctor's office, the license bureau. Compounded, it is said we spend the equivalent of years of our lives waiting. This begs the question: why, then, do we rush everything else? Looking at my ever-growing to-do list, I anticipate the day I will have my new studio — a space with ample lighting, wall space, and room to create. For now, I work in a... Read more...
Progress Over Perfection: What a Stubborn Upload Taught Me About Showing Up - Julie Jeanne Art
Progress Over Perfection: What a Stubborn Upload Taught Me About Showing Up
Everything goes right until it doesn't. The other day I filmed a few slightly-better-than-mediocre videos to be posted on my new YouTube channel (Julie Jeanne Art). I came up with... Read more...
Dreaming in Techinicolour
I am one of those rare people who dream vividly and often remember the details. Some say it's a blessing — occasionally, it feels like a curse. I've often written down the specifics of my dreams immediately upon waking. Most of the time they are random. Sometimes there is a recurring thread. When I was younger, I remember an episode of Oprah where she featured a dream "expert" as a guest. I kid you not, this is exactly what the "expert" said: "Sometimes dreams mean something. Sometimes they mean nothing... Read more...
The Simple Act of Creation - Julie Jeanne Art
The Simple Act of Creation
For years, I wrote, painted and created simply because I loved doing it — never expecting anyone to see, let alone connect with, what I made. Now, after sharing my... Read more...