Finding inspiration in nature

Art therapy

"The strength I had from holding my paintbrush and creating something was so freeing," said Robinson.

Janaya Robinson had always been a creative person. She remembers painting ever since she was a young girl.

After having her first child, creativity fell to the wayside as she began navigating motherhood and becoming a homeowner. Robinson and her husband were busy renovating their new house in Chilliwack and one child "quickly turned into four."

Robinson said she suffered from postpartum depression following the birth of her first two children. She said she felt unmotivated and even though she was never alone, she felt lonely.

"I had no desire to anything other than make it through the day," she said.

Robinson's third son became ill a few months after being born. He was getting physically slower, his head began growing rapidly out of proportion and he was unable to move the left side of his body. The doctors, to this day, were not able to diagnose him with a specific condition.

"I became so full of fear and anxiety for my son's recovery that I turned to alcohol to cope. It was a way for me to numb my mind," said Robinson.

After a long recovery period through physiotherapy and surgery, her son gained the ability to walk and talk. Once she knew her son was on the mend, Robinson said she needed to focus on her own emotional recovery.

Robinson said she felt like she was on autopilot for so long and was finally able to process her feelings through painting again. She spent as much time as she could in her studio and outside.

"It became my safe space and my healing place," said Robinson.

Robinson stands in the doorway of her home studio in Chilliwack.

Robinson stands in her home studio.

Robinson and her studio

Robinson talks about what her studio and inspirational outdoor space means to her.

During the flooding in 2021, Robinson's studio was almost entirely destroyed. At a slightly lower elevation than her house, the backyard studio was unsalvageable after the flood receded.

It took Robinson and her husband almost an entire year to tear down the studio, rebuild from the foundation, and refurnish the whole space.

"It was such a stressful process and I felt a lot of anxiety," said Robinson. "But I'm just so happy to finally have this space back."

Robinson's family farm in Chilliwack is a source of comfort and inspiration for her.

"If I'm feeling stuck, I just take a little break and walk outside into the backyard to take in the mountains," she said.

Robinson's farm is home to many little critters. She has 10 chickens, four ducks and two cats roaming around her yard.

Taking time to tend to her chickens or take care of her family's horse, named Raz, clears Robinson's mind. She said being outside with her animals centres her in a way that enables productivity.

Robinson describes her creative process and the inspiration she finds in nature.

Robinson said she loves using the natural sunlight to guide her paint brush across the canvas.

Robinson said she loves using the natural sunlight to guide her paint brush across the canvas.

"Being a mom is full-time job, even when you're on a 'break,'" said Robinson. She paints near her baby monitor when her children go down for their naps.

"Being a mom is full-time job, even when you're on a 'break,'" said Robinson. She paints near her baby monitor when her children go down for their naps.

Robinson has built a thriving business through her art. She is painting commissions for local Chilliwack businesses, selling prints, pressed flower art and accessories such as pencil cases, jewelry and bookmarks. You can regularly find Robinson at Chilliwack art shows and working on building her reputation in the community.

In the future, Robinson hopes to continue building her business and expanding her cliental. However, she said she is in no rush.

"I'm really happy where I am right now and I'm so proud of what I've been able to accomplish," said Robinson.

Robinson can be found on Instagram @janayarobinsonart