More about Marijanel

Let me take you on a journey through a slice of my life, where the threads of creativity weave a story of highs and lows, resilience, and a whole lot of self-discovery.

As a child, I was always the crafty kid, finding joy in everything I put my hands to. In my formative years, my passion for singing, music, and songwriting were a fire within me, and at that time the stage spotlight is where I truly shined. 

Into my twenties, I boldly ventured into the world of recording studios and children's music production. National acclaim and the experience of seeing of my CDs gracing department store shelves brought exhilarating moments of success. However, the relentless work took its toll, leading to burnout and a re-evaluation of my musical path. This chapter was about learning the art of letting go. I was also the mom of a toddler and I wanted another child and knew I’d need to shift seasons in my career to make more time.

I shifted my focus from performing to visual arts, discovering my innate gift as a photographer. I’d always been fascinated by cameras, and began to pour myself into learning the artform that’s known as “painting with light”. Over a decade, I captured countless weddings and portraits. It was during this time that I learned the importance of standing out and embracing my worth, regardless of the talents of those around me. I also honed a lot of my business skills and discovered my values and what matters to me not only in art but also as an entrepreneur.

My portrait business had become very demanding, and weddings were hard on my body so I sought solace and inspiration in the world of pottery, at first as a hobby. This newfound passion soon consumed me, teaching me profound lessons in transformation and hope. The hours spent moulding clay, the determination to master it, and the sheer joy of being nominated for an applied arts award and recognized by my peers was a highlight in my art journey. This era was marked by what I call “finding my soul work”. I created a body of work in pottery that was the unique carvings of forest inspired organic textures and was featured in galleries and shows.

We built a pottery studio on the farmhouse property that we owned at the time and for a season of seven years I invested my creative energy into clay, and continued photography, and painting on the side. During long hours in the pottery shop spinning and firing the clay, I found pieces of myself as an artist I hadn’t discovered before. I began longing to tell the stories I was learning. I’d go into an upstairs room of the farmhouse in the wee hours of the morning and watercolour simple illustrations to depict what was in my heart. I often got invited to speak to women's groups and gatherings and loved speaking. 

After delivering a motivational speech I often felt like life could be over in the way I felt completed, like I’d delivered my life's call. This is how I knew I was meant to return to the microphone.

So I entered the realm of podcasting, using my voice to share stories with the world. The resurfacing of my voice after years of silence was a challenge in many ways, but it was in this part of my journey that I discovered the power of reclaiming one’s own narrative and from this my mentorship courses were conceived. I saw the need for guidance and support through life’s big season changes and steps of faith.

Today, as you tune into the Marijanel Show, you'll witness my personal growth unfold in the first 50 episodes as I share the curious stories of my life. Yet, this show has evolved into something greater—it's about YOU. The Marijanel Show is dedicated to helping you unearth your true brilliance and guiding you toward the transformation you seek. I use journaling as my main tool for mentorship. Throughout my whole life I have journaled every step of the way, working out my creativity, faith and feelings on the pages of simple lined paper which are now stacks of journals on my bookshelf that have helped to create my discovery programs. 

In 2022, I authored and illustrated my first children’s picture book “Wait, Darling, Wait”  a beautiful parable of hope and the joy of anticipating wonderful things. As the animals on the sunny farm learn to wait, children are guided to embrace patience and positivity. 

As much as I adore the creative life I lead, my greatest pride and joy lie in my roles as a wife and mother. To me, these roles are intertwined with my creative pursuits. Starting my own creative business was a deliberate choice, one that allowed me to live a life where I could spend time with the kids. My husband, Steve, and I have been married for 29 wonderful years, and our children are now adults with their own significant others, whom we are so thankful and blessed.

When I create content, whether it's my art, a podcast episode, a mentorship program, or an online community post, I infuse it with deep love, for both you and my creator. My family, my Creator, and those touched by my creations are the driving forces behind everything I do.

Thank you for visiting my site and taking the time to get to know me. I look forward to connecting with you, whether it's through my weekly emails, the Marijanel Show, or one of my mentorship programs. Let's continue this journey of living whole and creative together.

Live whole and creative,

Marijanel