Meet Janet Meinke-lau

We were lucky to catch up with Janet Meinke-lau recently and have shared our conversation below.

Janet, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

Through the help of a mentor/dear friend, I realized that there are a lot of gifts in my basket to give out. I feel the best when I am sharing these gifts, whether it’s art, teaching/encouragement, or surf, etc. When I feel good, I want to spread the good – so it’s important that I find what makes me feel good and invest time in it. Life is difficult enough. Shouldn’t we create the world we want to see? ALOHA values and Nonviolent Communication are great tools and have shaped my “purpose” and how I give to my self, my family, my community.

I see my watercolor paintings and my painting workshops as gifts for myself and for others. I love to be in the present moment, in flow, while painting and teaching. So those acts are gifts to me – I gain so much connection and meaning from them. Spreading that joy to others… that’s also a gift, if I am able to pass the joy (beauty, hope, stoke, whatever you want to call it) along.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am a watercolor artist based in Honolulu, Hawaii. I paint and sell originals and archival prints. I also teach watercolor workshops. I have also worked with companies with live events or product launches. I’m just excited when people tell me they connect deeply with my art, because in a way, they are connecting with me and connecting with themselves – the human appreciation for beauty. I hope to teach more beginner and intermediate watercolor workshops this and next year. I will create a webpage for workshops on my website: https://janetmeinkelau.com/

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Painting skill and knowledge. Just keep painting and sketching. Everyday if you can. That’s how you’ll improve, how you’ll find your style naturally, and find the subjects and methods that resonate with you. Whatever resonates, just keep doing more of it – whether it’s painting or dancing or pottery or cooking. Just follow the thread.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

I currently have a full-time job and my art is a side business. I struggle with painting sometimes when money gets involved, but at the same time, I am trying to scale up my business so that eventually I can do it full time. I’m trying to figure out… is full-time art really what I want? If so, how do I get there without burning myself out?

Contact Info:

• Website: https://janetmeinkelau.com/
• Instagram: janetmeinkelau