HAPPY TRAILS TO OUR BELOVED JANICE LOWRY

THE KIND OF PERSON SHE WAS: This past April, I received the news that Janice was sick. I called her right back but she wasn't there to answer the phone. When she called me back, I wasn't there to answer my phone. So she left me a voice mail. When I listened to it, I was so struck by how upbeat and positive Janice was in the face of such devastating news ... how come, I wondered, does she not sound sad and distraught? But the thing is, Janice was not that kind of person. The Janice I knew never allowed herself to wallow in self-pity or focus on the negative. Quite frankly, she was much too focused on creating and moving forward, as she kept her eye on the big picture of life, and the big picture of the mark she intended to make on the world, to ever allow gloom and doom to waste precious time.

SOMERSET STUDIO: Almost six years ago, I started working as the new kid on the block for Somerset Studio magazine. It was a very scary time because I knew that in order to be successful, I needed significant pillars within the art community to stand up with me. So with humility of heart, I reached out to those pillars, which included Janice Lowry. And the wonderful gift she gave me was that pretty much immediately after we started talking, she made a choice. The choice wasn't ever discussed, the choice was simply exemplified. The choice was to steadily and consistently offer up her incredible work ... as she entrusted me with her most prized creations so that they could be shared with readers across the globe.

ALWAYS OPEN: If I needed garments, she opened up her closet for me. If I needed journals or collages or assemblages, she opened up her studio for me. If I needed new ideas, she would open up herself and create new works to be considered. Whenever I was in need, Janice gently guided me, mentored me, and always encouraged me. And when she learned that my daughter, Monica, was interested in assemblage work, she invited Monica, me, and my little Andrew to spend a day with her in the studio to learn and play. Monica, Andrew and I will never forget the fun we had with her that day ... as we made assemblages, painted faces, and rummaged through all the cool things that she had collected during her travels with her beloved Jon.

BLOCKING: One winter, after we had worked very hard on a project together, she dropped by my house unannounced to present me with an assemblage. It was titled Blocking, with a figure in the center with arms up, in a protective stance. She explained that Blocking was inspired by her mother who used to do a fair amount of it, when assorted dangers surrounded her. I will treasure this assemblage for the rest of my life because I know it was Janice's way of letting me know that sometimes you have to block, in order to protect and preserve the most important thing of all, which is the right that each and everyone of us have, to fulfill a destiny of creating our own unique marks on this world.

THE BRUSHES: In June, I was able to visit Janice in her studio. During this visit, I delivered countless paintbrushes that had been embellished and adorned with messages of love from the art community. Janice was her usual upbeat self, and so very delighted to receive such a grand gesture from her colleagues. I am thankful to Lynne Perrella and Michlle Ward for their help in coordinating this effort with the paintbrushes — so that we could express to Janice just how much her work has positively influenced and inspired the art community, and how she has been a role model to all of us to focus on the big picture of creating and making our marks.

SEPTEMBER 4TH: On September 4th, I was able to visit with Janice in her home, just days before she passed. As we visited, I still couldn't believe how in the face of death, in the face of being ravaged by cancer, that Janice still remained focused on the big picture and would not wallow in self-pity.

I asked her what message I could convey back to the art community and she said simply, "Tell them to keep working and to enjoy the process." We were able to say "I love you" to one another, and as I walked out, I was able to say good-bye, and that I would miss her greatly. Which I do.

MOVING FORWARD: I am thankful to Janice for teaching me the power of YES, the power of staying focused on the big picture, the power of knowing when to block, and the power of working hard and always enjoying the process. These are the lessons I intend to continue instilling in my children, and these are the lessons that I am certain that our art community will strive to focus on as we all grieve the passing of Janice, as we continue to miss her terribly, and as we all learn to move forward.

[Per the request and invitation of Janice and Jon, it was my honor and privilege to deliver this eulogy at Janice's memorial service today held at the beautiful Episcopal Church of the Messiah in Santa Ana, California. I am grateful that present to support this message today were my family members, and members of the art community — Pam Garrison, Amy Hanna, Cynthia Shaffer, Johanna Love, Christen Olivarez, Jennifer Jackson, and Amanda Crabtree. I am blessed to have these incredible people in my life.]

Comments

[Gail Ellspermann]

A lovely tribute, Jenny. She sounds like a wonderful lady. Thank you for sharing and for passing on a bit of Janice's philosophy.

[Ellen]

The art world will miss her; She sounds like a profound person and will be sorely missed! I hope a tribute will be made towards her
generous spirit!!!

[laurakaiken.blogspot.com]

What a perfect song to sing, Jenny. Thank you for sharing this with your readers.

PS: Jenny, I couldn't find your email addy but wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed reading Suzi Blu's article. I am a student of hers and just love taking her classes. Keep up the good work with your magazine and like your friend said, stay focused...cause I sure have a hard time at it.:)
Best to you-
Laura K Aiken

[Jennifer White]

Janice sounds like an amazing friend, Jenny...as well as having such an impact on so many people around her. I am so sorry for your loss of a dear friend. Your post was beautifully written and I'm sure the eulogy that you delivered was just as amazing.

[Jen Osborn]

Again, I am so very sorry for your loss!

On the positive side, you have definitely captured Janice's spirit/intent as you prod me to find out what new things I'm working on, as you turn me in new creative directions that I never would have considered on my own, and as you encourage me to embrace the positive and move "onward & upward" when I'm feeling low or lost.

I'm so very thankful that Janice gave you such enormous gifts with her friendship, and I'm thankful for the AMAZING editor she helped you become ... I don't know what I'd do without you!

xox
jen

[Wendy McDonagh-Valentine]

What a wonderful, wonderful tribute to your friend. She must've been a true gift from God to have in your life. God bless. : )

~ Wendy
http://Crickleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

[Paula - Buenos Aires]

I discovered Janice´s art today while blog hopping.
Trough your words I discovered what an amazing lady, fantastic artist and incredible friend she was too.
Thanks.

[Rose]

I am sorry to say that I didn't know who Janice was in the art community, I am "new" to it myself, being a huge fan of your Somerset Life art books, thru your publications, I have been greatly inspired. But through your beautiful words about Janice and what she meant to you and to so many others, I feel for your loss and having lost loved ones myself just recently, I know that while the pain is great and sometimes so painful that it is hard to breath, having such wonderful and loving memories of these special loved ones we have lost, gives us the inspiration to go forward and to smile when we think of them. May all your thoughts of her, make you smile, and if there are tears bought forth, may they be tears of happiness for the joy she gave you by sharing herself in your life. Rose

[Andi Smidth]

My sincerest condolences go out to Janice family. May her good soul rest in peace. The grieving process is a long and painful one but knowing someone is going through the same thing gets it a little less difficult.