The Studio Authentic
Navigate life’s transitions through stillness, creativity, and reflection.
Learn to be still and listen
The Studio Authentic is a space for slowing down, creating, and rediscovering yourself.
Through art, writing, and reflection, you’ll learn to quiet the noise and reconnect with what truly matters. Founded by writer and artist Jana Dunn, the studio invites you to explore your inner landscape through the Living Art Practice — a mix of journaling, planning, and creative play that helps you see your life through the eyes of an artist.
Here, art isn’t about perfection. It’s about learning to listen to your hands, your heart, and the quiet messages that surface when you learn to slow down.
Hi, I’m Jana
Jana Dunn - Artist, Writer & Life Shift Mentor
The Studio Authentic began with my own search for clarity.
What started as tiny spirals of paper art soon became something deeper—a way of seeing creativity not just as making things, but as a way of being.
Through stillness and the simple act of working with my hands, I began to listen to what my spirit was trying to say. Over time, that practice helped me reconnect with what I wanted in life and find the courage to follow it.
Here, I share what I’ve learned: how daily creativity and reflection can guide you back to stillness, rebuild self-trust, and give you strength for your next chapter.
The Studio Authentic is an ecosystem—art, writing, and The Living Art Practice—all designed to bring you back to yourself. Whether you begin with a sketchbook, a story, or a piece of art, it all leads you toward the masterpiece within.
The Living Art Practice™
These classes guide you through a simple, approachable method that helps you see your life through the eyes of an artist.
The Living Art Practice is not about becoming an artist. Instead, it’s about teaching you how to create space to listen, reflect, and grow.
Join the journey
The Living Art Practice course content lives on Teachable as your personal “studio space.”
The Canvas of Me
Each week, I write from my own journey—honest reflections, creative invitations, and gentle reminders that life is messy, colorful, and always in progress.
Through my Substack publication, The Canvas of Me, you’ll find both free reflections and paid content to help you with your journey.
The Canvas of Me is my Substack journal where I share how creativity helps me navigate life’s transitions.
Where it all began
The Studio Authentic is rooted in my paper art.
Tiny coils and molds of color became a meditation, then art, then an entirely new way of seeing life as living art. Today, I continue to create—from paper spirals to large-scale works and teaching workshops—as reminders that beauty grows one small piece at a time.
Voices along the way
“Jana carries you along through processing your journey with strong gentle hands. One feels a sense of safety, inspiration and productive reflection. Her authenticity shines through her writing, creating a pure connection to one’s own experiences and brings meaning and vision forward. Everyone would do well to invest in this journey.”
—Shelley Anne
“‘It’s not about talent, it’s about trust’… oh Jana… that appeared bold, underlined and literally jumped off the page! Thank you!”
—Substack Reader
“Very profound thoughts… so very glad you share! Finding myself looking at my “art” in a different way… much different than I first expected. Thank you, Jana!”
—Substack Reader
“This is my third time listening to this post, and my mind keeps wandering to the possibilities...”
—Substack Reader
“Freedom to just be... being still, being quiet, being unaffected. Coloring stopped my mind from being cluttered and once I was done with my scribbles... the rushing waters in my mind had calmed and I was able to see clearly through all that I was thinking about. FREEING.”
—Living Art Practice Beta Tester
“Thank you Jana for such a delightful class! I was so impressed with your instructions, clarity, and patience! I absolutely can't wait for the second class to build on the skills that I have newly acquired. The class was such fun and I enjoyed meeting the other participants, hands down a wonderful experience!”
—Paper Workshop Participant
Recent reflections
