Harrisonburg artisans find outlet for creativity at The Lady Jane
July 20, 2022
A tinkling bell rings when stepping into The Lady Jane, a gift and home product store. Relaxed music plays in the background as you navi
gate your way through the comforting and cozy store. Stands and tables fill the space, displaying shelves of artwork and handmade creations.
The store stocks homemade goods from over 50 local artisans. Products sold at the store include supplies that could be used to create art. This includes pens, pencils, journals, notepads and embroidery kits. In addition, you can also find posters, wall hangings, greeting cards, enamel pins, stickers and watercolor art prints. Part-time employee Mary Hairston got involved with the arts scene when she began with watercolor in college.
“I think it was about five years ago that I started with watercolor. I had done it in college a little bit, but it always felt, like, intimidating; I thought I had to be really perfect at it,” Hairston said. “When I realized that I could be loose, playful and messy, then I was like, oh, I can do this style of watercolor.”
Dandy Knopf, owner of Deviant Kreations and a contributor to products sold at The Lady Jane, finds artwork to be a method of mitigating their daily stresses.
“I have been creating since I could hold the pencil, so it was as natural to me as breathing. Whenever I was overwhelmed, anxious, or nervous, art was always my escape from that,” Knopf said.
Hairston creates art prints with watercolors that are on display and for sale in The Lady Jane. These include landscapes and sheet music with watercolor paintings of flowers overtop. Similar to Knopf, Hairston uses this form of art as a way to relax, process and express her emotions.
“When I first started painting, it was just for me. Later, I was trying to paint things that expressed hope and encouragement,” Hairston said. “If it meant that for me, I [am] hoping that I [can] pass that to someone else.”
