Episode 129: Why Making Art Matters, Especially in Hard Times with Janine Kwoh
Today, I'm sitting down with my dear friend Janine Kwoh, a stationery designer and author who has become such an important part of my creative journey. We go way back to 2020, when we were both growing our stationery businesses, and I was part of her inner circle watching her incredible book come to life. I remember being one of the first people to read her manuscript, and now I get to share her powerful story with all of you.
Navigating Grief Through Creativity
In 2016, Janine experienced a devastating loss when her partner passed away unexpectedly at just 28 years old. At a time when most people might have shut down completely, Janine did something extraordinary, she started to create during this time. Her first sympathy card, "Permission to Grieve," was more than just a piece of stationery; it was a lifeline for people struggling to understand their complex emotions. This card gave people explicit permission to feel exactly what they were experiencing, whether that meant crying, staying silent, talking about their pain, or simply existing in their grief. By turning her personal tragedy into a tool of connection, Janine showed how art can be a powerful mechanism for healing.
The Importance of Community and Self-Care
Janine shares her approach of allowing herself to step back when needed, emphasizing that rest is an integral part of the creative process, not something that opposes it. She talks about finding low-energy creative outlets like junk journaling and making dumplings, proving that creativity doesn't always have to look like traditional art-making. Her experience with her stationery business taught her that it's okay to pause, to take a break, and to prioritize her mental health. When she initially put her business on hold after her loss, she was touched by the support from her community - retailers, partners, and customers who told her they'd be there when she was ready to return.
Art as a Lifeline in Challenging Times
Throughout our conversation, we explore why creating art matters, especially when the world feels overwhelming. Janine beautifully articulates that art helps us make sense of our experiences, imagine the world we want to live in, and connect with others on a deeper level. Her book "Welcome to the Grief Club" and her stationery line Kwohtations are testaments to the power of vulnerability and authentic storytelling. We discuss how artists play a crucial role in shaping emotional landscapes, offering glimpses of hope and understanding through their work. Her cards and illustrations aren't just products; they're bridges that help people feel less alone in their most challenging moments.
Janine’s message of embracing all parts of our journey - the bumpy and the smooth - is something we could all use a little more of. She shared this beautiful line from one of her cards that I can't stop thinking about: "Whichever path you choose, you're already on the right one." Until the next episode, keep creating, keep feeling, and remember that your story, with all its complexity, is valuable and worth sharing.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
You don't need to keep producing when life feels heavy. R est is a valid and essential part of the creative process. Taking time away doesn't mean you've failed; it means you're honoring your needs.
When energy is low, turn to creative expressions that feel simple and comforting. Whether it’s folding dumplings, taping a receipt into a journal, or writing a single sentence, small acts of making still matter.
Creativity can bring clarity to complicated feelings. It allows you to express what’s hard to say and imagine a world you want to live in. Making something can be a healing act, even if it’s just for you.
When you create from your own honest experiences, others see themselves in your work. The more personal and real your message, the more deeply it tends to resonate.
There’s no one right path or pace. Your creative life can look completely different from someone else’s and still be meaningful and true. You’re allowed to shift directions and choose what aligns best with who you are.
Learn More about Janine:
Kwohtations on Instagram
Kwohtations Website
Janine Kwoh is the owner and designer behind Kwohtations, a Brooklyn, NY- based collection of letterpress printed greeting cards and gifts. Kwohtations products capture the shared ups, downs, and complexities of life. Often drawing from Janine's own life, common themes include celebrating chosen families and non-traditional milestones, addressing mental health challenges, and navigating grief and loss. She hopes that others will recognize some of themselves in what she creates and feel more seen, connected, and less alone.
Janine is also the author of Welcome to the Grief Club, an illustrated book on grief for anyone who is grieving the death of a loved one.
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