I hope you all agree that "change is good"! It's been awhile for this site, but I have been busy with my scratchboard, as well as illustrating for magazines, short stories and poetry.
In between artwork creations, my husband, Bryan, and I have moved from Alaska, where I spent 27 years, to Blooming Grove, Pennsylvania, where we lived for 3 years, and at the moment, are residing in Astoria, Oregon.
It's been quite a journey, and I'm sure it's only just begun. I hope to someday, when I catch my breath, be able to write my story - the fact and the fiction...and it will be up to you to figure out which is which,since fact sometimes is stranger than fiction!
I still have much to learn and much to tell and even "teach". In our 3rd year in Pennsylvania I had the unique opportunity to become a piano teacher for about 24 students, ranging in age from 5 to approximately 65. It was a short lived "stint", totally out of the "blue", but a learning experience that has added to the multicolored tapestry of what has become my life.
In the meantime, while I'm gathering the pieces of my life together to paint my grand "masterpiece", why don't you check out some of the artwork I've done, some under my former married name Janis E. Vandelaar, and the most recent ones, at least since March 26, 1999 under Janis E. Marshall, or "JEM", as my husband Bryan has affectionately "dubbed" me.
You'll also notice at the top of this page that I refer to my work as "RAVEN WARRIOR". This is not just a contrived name or "nom de plum". Since living here in Astoria, I feel that I am somehow connected to this part of the country. I have some American Indian in me, don't know what or how much, but I've been drawn to the culture since I was very young, being born and raised in Kalispell, Montana. It may be because the four year "celebration" of the Lewis & Clark Trail will be culminating in this area of the west coast, but I think it's more because I feel the sorrow and pain that has been inflicted on so many people - not just the American Indians, but all who are different, weak, or do not have the monetary or physical means to protect themselves from those who would control or harm them.
I am actually a kind and peaceful woman, with many friends, whom I'm sure they feel like I've forgotten - including many of my family members. I've not forgotten, but I am driven, and my love will be shared with many, if not through my physical presence, but hopefully through my artwork.
I'm not a particularly "religious" person, as I believe the "rules" were made up in order to control those who needed to be controlled...unfortunately, we don't ALL need to be controlled, just loved and understood. I am however, very spiritual, and believe that whatever higher power you believe in, as long as it is for good and not evil, is what you should hold tight to.
I am a tool, through which my "higher power" allows me to touch others, whether it's through my artwork, my music, my writing, my caring for others, human, plant or animals, or just my laughter and enjoyment of life. When I figure that out, I promise to write my story, Mom (she's been threatening me with "bodily harm" all my life if I don't write a book...she's so cute!)
In the meantime you can navigate to my other websites "Jemsdesigns" which features my husband, Bryan D. Marshall's photography, internet business opportunities, our individual CafePress shops where you can purchase items with our artwork and photography, and many other surprises that we'll continue to have in store for you.
I hope you'll continue to revisit this site and bookmark it for future reference. Please remember to hit your refresh button each time in order to see any changes that may have been made since your last visit.
Change is hard for many people, but it's the one thing we can't help but do. Embrace it, enjoy it, learn from it and grow into the masterpiece you were meant to be!
Peace be Yours
Janis E. Marshall "Raven Warrior"
Links to other sites on the Web
Jemsdesigns Website
Raven Warrior Designs by "JEM"
Waiting To Board *
Old Shed *
Janis & Bryan
JEM Illustrations Published by Sam's Dot Publishing
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoy this site, and that you'll stay tuned for new pictures and updates. If you have any questions or comments, please click on my email address below, I would LOVE to hear from you!
JEM
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