Today we’d like to introduce you to Janice Warren.
Hi Janice, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am no stranger to the world of art. I have been creating art and teaching for as long as I can remember. I started within my community and hometown of Houston, Texas. As a third-generation artist, I observed my father creating art and painting murals on a daily basis. From my mother and grandmother, I learned how to sew and transform fabric scraps into decorative and meaningful compositions, as well as beautiful upcycled garments. My love for sewing and fashion currently serves as a vital tool for healing for me during this season of my life. I have facilitated numerous educational art workshops, served in art administration at prestigious art institutions, designed curriculum, and taught in both the public and private sectors of schools throughout the City of Houston and surrounding areas for over two decades. All of these involvements have contributed to my success as a mixed-media visual artist, facilitator, and art educator. I hold a B. A degree in Fine Arts, teaching credentials, and leadership certification in autism and neuro-developmental disabilities.
Art has always been my outlet, my therapy, my safe haven, my healer. My life and art are defined and illustrated by the irony existing between beauty and hardship. Through my artistry, I passionately express unspoken pain and unspeakable beauty, and I have always felt compelled to share the solace that exists in healing through art. As a mother of a non-verbal child living with autism, I began to understand how frustrating and discouraging it can be when opportunities for her to explore, experience new things, and be creative are unavailable or limited to children like her because of her overall disability. I also understand how trying to cope with grief can become very overwhelming without the proper guidance. From this observation, my organization, Aesthetically Artistic-Art From the Heart, was born. Aesthetically Artistic is a fun-filled, exploratory, and therapeutic visual arts program geared towards all individuals, yet highly emphasizes the importance of inclusion and self-discovery for individuals with disabilities who have limited access to creative outlets. I introduce a wide variety of art techniques as well as art history. We truly explore the wonderful world of art! I believe that art serves as a powerful tool for healing, enabling individuals to express themselves freely and connect with the world around them.
I see an individual, not a condition. And you will see it too if you look with your heart.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I often respond by saying the famous second line to, Mother to Son by Langston Hughes, a poem: Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair. Overall, financial restraints, getting long-term support, burnout, and trying to navigate the disability world and get proper support for my autistic daughter have been some of my most challenging issues throughout this journey.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a visionary, a mixed-media visual artist, and an art educator residing in Houston, Texas. For over 20 years, I have been dedicated to teaching creative self-expression and therapeutic art to individuals of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. As a visual artist, I also embrace my gifts and share my talents with others by creating artwork that is thought-provoking and enlightening. I specialize in incorporating a wide range of materials in my work, such as fabric, discarded materials, decorative paper scraps, puzzle pieces, broken jewelry, magazine images, and other materials that can be incorporated to support my story. I am known as “The Art Lady” or “The Mosaic Art Lady”. My work is indeed a mosaic. I take pride in transforming broken, torn, and discarded elements into meaningful compositions and teaching this technique effectively to others. My style is unique, and my work encourages the onlooker to reflect and reexamine themselves, as we collectively try to make sense of the world in which we live. I am most proud of my dedication to the arts, my ability to effectively design and facilitate workshops that meet the needs of my audiences, and I am proud of my consistency in the profession of art education. I have served thousands of students over the years with joy and excitement despite the numerous barriers I have faced as a visual artist and a woman of color.
In addition to being a visual artist, I am also a creative and content creator. I am known as “The Cheetah Chick ” to many. Through this title, I also embrace my love for fashion, thrifting, and sewing. From this passion, I have become a social media influencer geared towards women aged 50 and above who want to feel fabulous and learn how to become more creative. I upcycle and embrace animal print of all kinds. As an autism mom, I have used this platform as my creative outlet, serving as my alter ego and an enlightening escape that brings me great joy. I also embrace my entrepreneurial skills by reselling my amazing animal print treasures and upcycled garments and accessories.
What makes you happy?
So many things.
A lovely walk in the park, teaching art in my community, spending precious time with my family, poking around in my backyard garden, thrift stores (treasures), shopping, and enjoying a good book, sipping on some delicious tea. These things bring me joy.
Pricing:
- Art work pieces vary according to size and mediums: 45.00-$1,500
- Animal print items vary according to garments and accessories
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aestheticallyartistic.com
- Instagram: creativecompositions_
- Facebook: Aesthetically Artistic-Art From The Heart
- Other: fortheloveofcheetah (Instagram)
Image Credits
Credit:
Contemporary Arts Museum Houston- CAM
black and white image
-and-
Community Artist Collective
Image with blue art pieces in the background
