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Jan's Blog

Picture of CEO, Jan Elizabeth Lakey

I am a creator of kindness. I find joy in creating what I love and sharing it with others. My hope is that you will find something here that inspires you. 

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Latest:

blog
Magical Homestead Gardens Holiday Shop + Haul
about 2 weeks ago
The Cold Case Project Files: Reviving an Old Artwork on a Snow Day ❄️
about 3 weeks ago
Meet My New Painting Collection | Echoes of Old — Dutch-Inspired Country Landscapes
about 4 weeks ago
How I Style & Shoot My Paintings | Behind the Scenes of a New Collection
about a month ago
Staycation at the National Harbor with my Family
about a month ago

Hello Friend

Let stay in touch. I only send love notes with awesome news.

We respect your privacy.

Hello Beautiful One ✨

Thank you for joining my little corner of the internet. You’re officially on my list — I can’t wait to share new videos, upcoming art sales, and special behind-the-scenes moments with you. 💛

Much love,

Jan


Magical Homestead Gardens Holiday Shop + Haul

December 16, 2025 in Holiday, video

This week I’m stepping away from the studio and taking you along on a cozy seasonal outing to Homestead Gardens Holiday Shop — something that’s been on my list for weeks.

Homestead Gardens transforms into a winter wonderland this time of year, with multiple plant-filled rooms dressed for the holidays, each one offering its own atmosphere and sense of discovery.

We wander through lush greenery, twinkling lights, and beautifully styled holiday décor that somehow feels new and inspiring every single year.

One of my favorite parts of the visit is their charming train display, featuring multiple trains weaving through detailed miniature villages and snowy scenes — a nostalgic, storybook moment that feels both joyful and calming. Outside, there’s a cozy fire, real Christmas trees, live-cut greens, and that unmistakable winter air that makes you want to linger just a little longer.

I went with a purpose, though — and at the end of the video, I’m sharing a small holiday mini haul, so be sure to stay until the end to see what came home with me and how I’m planning to use it.

If you’re craving inspiration, beauty, and a gentle pause during the busy holiday season, I hope this little outing brings you along for a moment of wonder.

Tags: garden center, holiday shop, haul, homestead gardens
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The Cold Case Project Files: Reviving an Old Artwork on a Snow Day ❄️

December 09, 2025 in felting, tips and tricks, video

When the first snowfall arrived, it turned the whole world quiet… and magically cozy. The studio felt like a winter hideaway, and I decided it was the perfect day to revisit an old project that had been tucked away and forgotten — something I now call “The Cold Case Project Files.” 🗂️

A few years ago, I challenged myself to create one artwork two different ways:• first as an oil painting, and• then again using needle + wet felting (painting with wool!) One version was completed long ago… but the second was left unfinished — waiting for the right moment to be revived. In this video, I bring the felted version back to life — warming up old skills, transferring the original image onto wool, and slowly shaping leaves, feathers, and color until it starts looking like something again. 🎨🪡

This is part 1 of a cozy winter mini-series — a project filled with texture, trial-and-error, and that satisfying feeling of returning to something you once loved. I hope it inspires you to dig out your own forgotten art and play again. 🥰

Videos mentioned• Oil Painting Pink Bird - https://youtu.be/_sBDAyzgbKw

Felting video Pink Bird- https://youtu.be/yoUV7Py8l68

Tell me in the comments:Do YOU have a creative “cold case file” hiding somewhere? What would you bring back to life first?

Tags: needle felting, oil painting, snow day
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Meet My New Painting Collection | Echoes of Old — Dutch-Inspired Country Landscapes

December 02, 2025 in Echoes of Old, video

Echoes of Old — Original Oil Painting Collection
Inspired by The Dutch Masters • Stories Told in Light & Landscape
✨ 20% Off Holiday Sale — Nov 28 to Dec 10 ✨
Shop the collection ➜ [insert your shop link]

There are places where time seems to slow — where a soft wind moves through the grass, and light rests gently on the hills. That’s the feeling behind Echoes of Old, my new collection of 8×10 oil paintings inspired by the quiet beauty of the countryside and the mood of the Dutch masters.

As I painted, a story began to surface — the story of Mrs. Primrose, a young artist living long ago. She spent her days walking the fields, painting in the garden, and sending small painted letters to someone she never named. Whether real or imagined, her presence lingers in these landscapes: gentle, hopeful, and a little mysterious.

Each piece captures a fleeting moment —
• a farmhouse under drifting clouds
• a golden path leading home
• a woman in a white dress waiting in the fields

If you love quiet things… soft light… and stories hidden in the everyday… this collection was made for you.

🖼️ Details
• Original 8×10 oil paintings on wood panel
• Antiqued, painterly surfaces & warm heirloom tones
• Limited collection — once sold, they’re gone
• Optional antique frames available

Tags: painting collection
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How I Style & Shoot My Paintings | Behind the Scenes of a New Collection

November 25, 2025 in Echoes of Old, Holiday, photo shoot, tips and tricks, video

Step behind the scenes with me as I prepare my newest painting collection, Echoes of Old, coming November 28th, 2025. Inspired by the quiet magic of the countryside, the warm tones of Dutch Old Master landscapes, and the whispered stories of Mrs. Primrose, this collection is one of my most heartfelt bodies of work yet. In today’s video, I’m taking you into my studio for a full photoshoot day — gathering props, styling vignettes, updating hardware on antique frames, and creating flat-lay scenes that match the tone of the world I’ve been painting. You’ll see how I source materials, how I build visual stories through small details, and how these cozy autumn palettes guide the look and feel of the finished photos. I’ll also share a narrated excerpt from the Echoes of Old story — the quiet life of Mrs. Primrose in the 1800s, the countryside that shaped her days, and the secret letters and landscapes that inspired the collection. This video is a gentle, creative behind-the-scenes moment — full of warm candlelight, textured frames, soft color palettes, and the first full reveal of all seven paintings in the collection. ✨ Echoes of Old releases November 28th, 2025 ✨ Black Friday Sale (20% off): Nov 28 – Dec 10 ✨ Originals will be available at janlakey.com Thank you for being here, for supporting my art, and for stepping into this little world with me. I can’t wait to share more.

Tags: painting collection, prepping for a collection launch, BTS, echoes of old
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Staycation at the National Harbor with my Family

November 18, 2025 in Echoes of Old, Holiday, travel, video

Plus a new painting from my Echoes of Old Painting Series.

Tags: National Harbor, Holiday, staycation, painting
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