About Jenny Hare, founder, editor and artist
Although born to write and paint - as kids my sister and I were always writing stories and playing with colour - it didn't occur to me I could be good at it, let alone make it my career path. So I followed my teachers' advice and trained as a secretary, which I must admit has been a blessing ever since as I can type really fast, take notes easily and, when I apply myself, be organised. But I longed for more than running other people's offices, so I changed course and modelled for a few years, then ran and cooked for a restaurant for a few more, then became an estate agent's negotiator. Still I yearned for something else. But, despite writing the occasional article for magazines, I had no thought of doing more on the creative front.
And then I worked for a brilliant man as his PA. Carried along by his
energy and creativity,
I was content enough to type up his thoughts until one day he tossed
me the brief for a press release and said: "You write this, I haven't
time."
"What me?" I said, amazed. "I can't."
"Of course you can, you talk well, you can write - just combine the two."
So I did it and to my delight it was duly published and my mentor, bless him, encouraged me in my new role as PR and copywriter.
After a couple of years my skill and confidence had grown some and the local paper took me on to write about property. I was a journalist and, soon, section editor. Meanwhile I was accepted for a post-graduate diploma course in counselling at Southampton University in conjunction with the NHS and this work dovetailed with my writing and editing experience when I became an agony aunt. Since then I've had three books published: Think Sex, Think Love and Free Your Life From Fear and written a novel too.
During those initial years of blossoming, I also took up painting again and as I hadn't picked up a brush since I was a young kid I guess I brought to it a childlike natural wonder in colour and form. On an amazing painting holiday in Majorca, the tutor David Mynett said to me: "You paint your dreams - keep doing just that." 15 years later, though I've learned more about technique and practised much, I still paint from the heart with childlike rapture and love it when I come across artists whose work, however different, has spontaneity and vision.
All my life I've had the strongest sense of being encouraged and loved by another dimension - more of this, if you're interested, in Spirituality.
So here I am now, writing, painting, looking after animals and enjoying our beautiful countryside, walking, meditating and as far as I can helping others and inspiring them to follow their soul's path.
I've been helped so much along the way by mentors in person and through their writing. I've also had heaps of rejections and put downs - it hasn't all been rosy by any means. I would like share some of the inspiration in this site and magazine, so that you too can survive knocks and let your creativity shine.
Do let us know if you would like to contribute an inspiration of your own or suggest someone or something that has greatly inspired you. See competition of the month and letters.
Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy the site and visit regularly to read the latest articles.
With love and light, Jenny.