Creating with Hope
with Jana Pingel
How do we keep creating when life doesn't look the way we hoped it would?
In this episode of Creative Catholics, I sit down with artist, author, and founder of January Jane Shop, Jana Pingel, to explore the relationship between creativity, prayer, and hope. Jana's artwork has become a source of encouragement for thousands of Catholics, inviting people to discover beauty in the ordinary and holiness in the hidden life.
Together, we talk about what it means to co-create with the Holy Spirit, how beauty can sustain us through seasons of waiting, and why the hidden work of faithfulness matters more than we often realise.
Jana also shares the deeply personal story behind her Land of the Living collection, reflects on navigating infertility and miscarriage, and offers gentle encouragement for anyone who feels creatively discouraged or spiritually weary.
This is a conversation about far more than art—it's about learning to trust God in every season and discovering that even our smallest acts of creativity can become acts of hope.
Please note: This episode contains a conversation about infertility and miscarriage.
In this episode we discuss:
Jana's journey from art student to founder of January Jane Shop
Growing up in a large, creative Catholic family
How boredom, imagination, and storytelling shaped her artistic life
Co-creating with the Holy Spirit and beginning every creative work in prayer
Why beauty has become a source of hope during seasons of waiting
The story behind Humans of Heaven
The inspiration for the Land of the Living collection
Creating through grief, infertility, and miscarriage
Hidden holiness and the ordinary path to sanctity
Protecting a prayerful life while running a creative business
Social media, creative pressure, and trusting God's timing
Encouragement for artists who feel stuck, weary, or uninspired
Memorable Quotes
"Beauty reminds us of our ultimate fulfillment that waits for us in heaven."
"Creating became an act of hope."
"Hidden holiness is found in the small acts of fidelity that no one else sees."
"Lean into the heart of Jesus. His heart is a safe place."
Resources & People Mentioned
Humans of Heaven by Jana Pingle
Land of the Living collection
Psalm 27
The Rosary
Connect with Jana
Discover Jana on Instagram @januaryjaneshop
Connect with The Creative Catholics
If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another creative.
Follow @TheCreativeCatholics on Instagram to share your creations and join the community.
Until next time, stay creative—and keep making what matters most.
Sponsors/Links
Intro/outro music by Marie Miller
This episode is sponsored by Riverside
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