We caught up with the brilliant and insightful JR Sicola a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

JR, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Initially, I knew I wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path mid-sophomore year of college at Stephen F. Austin State University, in Nacogdoches, TX. I just didn’t know HOW or WHAT path I would or needed to take.

My maternal grandmother, Antoinette Bonno, inspired all of her children and grandchildren creatively. She taught me how to make rainbows by holding a prism in the window and reflecting the light all over the room, creating a magical rainbow land in my imagination. Mommo, as we called her, nurtured my creativity and imagination by introducing coloring books with the 64-pack of Crayola Crayons, Play Doh then modeling clay, pencil drawing, and watercolor paints. She shared her music with us, her most special gift. She played the piano and sang impeccably. She played piano and sang the entire nursery rhyme book, while we danced around the living room. Mommo played us her favorite jazz records: Nat King Cole and Judy Garland. She had maracas, a mini drum, and a tambourine that we played while we listened. First and foremost, she was a teacher and I wanted to be just like her.

My parents further encouraged my sister and me to participate in all things creative: pottery classes, art classes, drama troupes, and speech and debate tournaments throughout school.

While I continued to enroll in fine art electives, I focused on playing as many sports as I could in high school. When it came time to choose a college, I chose a smaller school in order to participate in intercollegiate athletics.

I was told a career in athletics was a dead end, especially for women, so as a freshman, I chose a major in Math, anticipating a future as a Math teacher and athletics coach. Math was black and white, clear beginnings and endings, and having undiagnosed bipolar disorder (until the age of 35) anything externally clear-cut was my friend. I developed OCD as a response to my depressive and manic episodes, certainly as a way to cope with the chaos in my mind. Of course, at 19 years old, I had no idea THIS was why I sought after solid boundaries and subjects that had definite answers.

I also declared an Art minor. During my second level drawing class, I finally believed that I had a real talent. Expressing it creatively, on paper, without words was not only fulfilling, but also gave me a natural high, that dose of endorphins, that was previously unmatched. I decided that year, I would change my major to Art. Next, I had to convince my parents.

When I told my dad, he strongly encouraged me to choose a degree path that could financially support my life and meet my creative needs. I think his exact words were, “I am not going to support a starved artist for your whole life.” And, rightfully so. I chose the computer art path; at the time the degree track was called advertising design (graphic design).

It was 1998, web design was the most advanced course offered for this degree track. It was not my passion, but I felt it was the future of Art and I needed to get on board. I learned enough to earn As and Bs, but my heart and soul were in drawing. For my final choice elective for the Fine Arts major, I chose painting. I had only taken one other painting class in high school. I painted my first pet portrait in this class in 2000. It sparked something in me.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I am Jana Rose Sicola. I have made a living as a multi-subject certified teacher for 19 years. I currently provide special education services for 8th grade English Language Arts students in Livingston, TX with my wife, Brandy Hill, and our 6 fur babies (3 cats and 3 dogs).

I applied to graduate school using my graphic design background to earn a position in the Athletics Media Relations Department. I helped create Media Guides for sports programs at the college. In a true act of rebellion, I earned a Master of Education in Physical Education from the predominantly male college, The Citadel in Charleston, SC.

During a brief stint as a volleyball coach in North Carolina, I began collecting images and pieces of art that inspired me. I started to paint, recreationally, just for myself. I copied some of the images I had collected and practiced my craft. Upon my return to Texas in 2005, I taught and coached at my K-8 and 9-12 alma matres. I yearned for something more, something different. I had been in schools and participating in sports my entire life. While my day to day was consistent and familiar, exhaustion, boredom, and unrest creeped in.

It was during this time that my dreams came to fruition.

In 2012, I painted a portrait for my high school coach (we were working together at the time) of her beloved dog Jack, who had passed away. The idea came after my sister painted a portrait of my first pup for me as a gift.

The process of setting up the painting, the physical action of painting, and the feelings of successfully rendering an image from a photograph was a new exciting routine I could incorporate into my life. Painting distracted me from the whirlwind of intrusive thoughts and alternating deep-seated insecurities of being not enough and too much. I could singularly focus on something without distraction and know the outcome would be pleasing to me, but more so pleasing to the recipient.

In the next year, I practiced my painting techniques to learn what worked for me and what didn’t. I gave 3 pet portraits as gifts, I donated 2 paintings to my high school annual auction, and copied a large painting by another artist, which is hanging in my house.

In late 2013, a coworker asked me to paint her son’s dog for a Christmas present. She gave me a price point she wanted to spend and I excitedly accepted, if not just for the practice of painting. It was my first “sell,” which led to several referrals and my first 7 commissioned portraits in 2014.

Combining my formal education in graphic design and honing my craft of painting smooth, nearly textureless images, I create ‘pop art’ portraits that appear to be digitally rendered rather than hand painted (acrylic on canvas).

My love for animals made my pop art pet portraits the most popular commissions. I passionately capture beloved fur babies and their most memorable features in amusing positions and exciting colors.

I recently began exploring the wild and vivid images of my dreams and imagination. I am working on expanding my portfolio with a more abstract collection.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My mind works overtime, constantly envisioning what shapes and colors will work well together. I want others to have a different perspective from their everyday grind.

Create Authentically. Share and Spread Love.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Creating whenever I want, however I want with a few guidelines or parameters from clients gives me full artistic license to represent their visions. I measure success when I see my art affect the client’s emotions.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: jrsicola.customart
• Facebook: facebook.com/jrsicola.customart
• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits
All photos by JR Sicola