Having grown up watching her mom creatively paint, sew and quilt; Janell wondered if she had any artistic skill or talent. A semester in Europe during college broke open a deep appreciation for color, design and the various mediums of art. She continued to believe she was not an artist.

In the spring of 2010, Janell was on retreat staring at a white silk scarf. The instructor invited them to add color to this blank canvas. The raw emotions of grief collided into a profound hunger for life as colors spread across the silk canvas. Many admired her first work and encouraged her to do more.  The following summer she took her first official silk painting class at the Grunewald Guild. Once again colors exploded on the silk creating amazing scarves. Unsatisfied to wait a year for the next class, Janell learned how to do the process at home. She continues to create colorful scarves and explore various techniques.

In early 2014 while recovering from a traumatic brain injury, Janell sought

refuge in imagining what color a word would be and how it could be designed.  Colorful images infused her mind while resting in a dark quiet room. Months later she entered her studio with fresh insight and a desire for more creativity. In time she brought the imagined words and colors to life on silk calling them her watchwords. Words she has created include:  Hope, Perseverance, Patience, Trust, Courage, Humility, Compassion, Flexibility, Blessed, Balance, I am Enough, Grounded, Risk It, Family, and Gratitude.  Many of these watchwords are also available as greeting cards.

In addition to being a silk artist she is a poet, Spiritual Director, ordained Lutheran (ELCA) pastor, and mother. Janell loves to garden, walk labyrinths, hike and be immersed in nature.