Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Missi Jay. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Missi thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?

This year began like any normal year. My plate was full of fun, creative projects to keep me busy, and I had just outlined my list of “goals” I wanted to achieve in 2022. In March, I was on my path to achieving some of those goals already when my doctor called with some surprising news — I had breast cancer. I couldn’t feel my legs. Or my face. I thought I was having a bad dream and I would wake up in a moment. I just sat at my desk staring at my computer, held my head in my hands, and cried. Hard.

In the weeks to come, the fun, creative projects on my plate would be replaced with doctor’s appointments, scans, tests, and chemotherapy treatments. Everything else simply has to move out of the way when you have cancer because health is your number one priority. I guess it kind of felt like I just got a new job. Now I would have to learn how to do my new job.

Here are a few things I have learned at my new job so far:

Let others help. As a self-employed artist, I am pretty much a “solo act.” I am used to wearing many hats and doing lots of stuff myself. People surprise me all the time with their generosity, support, helping hands, and big hearts. I am so lucky to be surrounded by an incredibly strong family and so many loving friends — old and new — who hold me up, laugh with me, see the best in me, and remind me how to look forward. These people are human sunshine! They are a gift. Most days I am overwhelmed with gratitude.

Small things mean a lot. A smile, an encouraging text, or a hug can turn your whole day around.

Slow down. Find joy in small things. I started sitting outside at sunset and enjoying all the little things I never used to take time to see. One day I saw the tiniest baby grasshopper ever sitting on a flower bloom. It was incredible.

Time is the most precious thing we have. I started carefully choosing how I spend my time because I didn’t ALWAYS feel 100%. There is not an endless supply of time and some things are just not that important (like housework and other boring stuff). I just had to let some things go.

It’s okay to not be okay sometimes. It really is.

Just do your best. Several times a day I say it out loud, “I am doing my best.”

Every body — and mind — are different and everyone’s experiences are different. Don’t compare.

Complaining doesn’t really help. It takes me to a negative place. At the beginning of my journey, my oncologist (whom I adore) advised me that positivity really can make a difference in your outcome. So I tried to approach this with rainbow-glitter guns blazing. I mean, what do I have to lose?

Laughing does make you feel better.

You are stronger than you think.

Have faith. I am realizing that I am not in control of everything. I can’t worry about things I can’t change. Through this process, I am resting, healing, and growing. Hopefully it’s preparing me to be stronger and more flexible version of myself.

By the way, these are things you guys probably already know. I am always late to the party and I am just now learning most of them.

What is next:

I honestly can’t wait to get back to my “old job” of drawing pictures and creating visual solutions. In my experience, it feels like chemo has watered down creativity, colors, taste, smells, and lots of cool stuff I used to take for granted. At my old job, my big daily decisions were “what color looks cute with pink” or “what font makes you look the skinniest.” I can’t wait to get back to making those decisions. I hope I can take the gifts I received at my “new job” with me. I am grateful for the chance to learn these new lessons.

My list of “goals” I wanted to achieve this year has taken a little detour. A curve has been placed in my path and I am unable to see what is around the bend. My dear friend and talented artist, Scott Walker, perfectly illustrated it for me in a picture I included in this article below. His artwork portrays a beautiful shaded path featuring a bend up ahead that is illuminated with sunlight and flooded with gorgeous pink cherry blossoms. It is warm, welcoming, and filled with promise. His interpretation really makes my heart sing and has become the inspiration in my journey.

This was not what I had planned for myself, but I am so full of hope for what is around that corner. I can’t wait to see for myself. I look forward to the moment I can emerge from this cocoon and fly free on the wings of beautiful butterflies. Until then, I am doing my best.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi! My name is Missi Jay and I am a visual artist. Specifically I draw pictures and create graphics. I started my company Gigglebox in 1998. My creative style is best described as “warm and fuzzy,” so I tell people I work at the Warm Fuzzy Art Factory! For the past 24 years, I have had the opportunity to create for some very exciting companies, non-profits, and human beings. I have loved every single minute of it.

I just launched my new website featuring my online store. Like me, it is a work in progress. I am so proud of this new beginning. I look forward to exploring ideas, creating new artwork, and adding fun products to share with others. Hopefully it will bring a smile to your face.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to connect with other people. Honestly, I have never been a wiz with words, so I rely heavily on visual communication. I always try to create artwork that I could show my grandmother and my daughter with pride — so I guess my artwork is old-lady and kid-friendly. I love meeting new people who share their personal and professional hopes and dreams with me. I love helping them create visual solutions to convey their ideas. Many of my clients become my friends. Knowing that I created something that had a positive effect on someone else is like a bolt of lightning.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is getting to do what I love every single day. I love having my own studio because it allows me to work on multiple projects at once, which brings me lots of joy. Growing up, I was the kid in class who was doodling my daydreams on my notes in class. I recently listened to a podcast featuring one of my favorite artists, Jessica Hische, who said, “The work you do while you procrastinate is the work you should be doing for the rest of your life.” She nailed it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gigglebox.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggleboxdesign/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GiggleboxDesign

Image Credits
Headshot in feature photo by Kerri Irwin, my incredible sister-in-law “Hopeful Pathway with Cherry Blossoms” original artwork by Scott Walker