ABOUTJAN BLACK
Hi. I'm Jan Black.
I write and make art and music, and sometimes - when the stars line up just right - I agree to creatively direct the development and launch of small but brilliant brands, as I've done for many years.
Someone said this seems like an encore moment for me. I get that. I'm well into my seventies, after all. But I feel more like it's opening night. And it is, in terms of watching my own projects take the stage.
I've had a great career writing books that have sold about a million copies, editing and developing books for clients, and defining the Core Brilliance of some of the finest people I've ever met, joining them in building brands around it.
Over the years, I've found plenty of ways to use my art and poetry in my life and work, usually for brand identities and writing manifestos.
I've also written music once in awhile, even writing two kids' albums for a project way back when and a few wedding songs for the kids along the way. I loved writing music but chose to set it aside to focus on what was in front of me. During COVID, I returned to it. You can listen to a demo of one of my songs here. It is part of the Only While Im Human Project I am developing.
My focus is
1. Core Brilliance. This is a process I created in 2000 that defines what I call a person's Core Brilliance. In my brand development practice, this was one step in a series of steps. Now, I've plucked the one step out of the series of steps in order to offer Core Brilliance conversations to those who hear about it through friends and colleagues. My own Core Brilliance is to see and articulate the truth of a thing or a person, so of course articulating the Core Brilliance of people is a priority that still energizes me.
2. Only While I'm Human. This project is in its infancy and is devoted to creating media, merch, and music for the Darlings of What Can Be as they take their turn at being human. Items such as zines and scrolls are coming along.
3. Illustration and surface pattern design. During COVID, I began honing my skills as an artist through online courses and endless practice and discovered surface design. I'm dipping my toes into that to see if it is a fit and so grateful for generous online teachers, such as Bonnie Christine.
4. Songwriting. I'm completing ten songs for an Only While I'm Human album. A demo of the theme song was recorded in Nashville by my dear friend Jana Stanfield. I've received inspiring encouragement from songwriting weekend workshops with Beth Nielsen Chapman and David Wilcox.
5. LudiQs. LudiQs have been a project-in-waiting of mine for a very long time. They make it easier to spot the unspoken ludicrous questions that are behind basically everything that's not working in our lives and the world. The waiting is over and it's now time to bring these powerful little liberators to you.
Only while I'm human can I. So I do!
Jan
Someone said this seems like an encore moment for me. I get that. I'm well into my seventies, after all. But I feel more like it's opening night. And it is, in terms of watching my own projects take the stage.
I've had a great career writing books that have sold about a million copies, editing and developing books for clients, and defining the Core Brilliance of some of the finest people I've ever met, joining them in building brands around it.
Over the years, I've found plenty of ways to use my art and poetry in my life and work, usually for brand identities and writing manifestos.
I've also written music once in awhile, even writing two kids' albums for a project way back when and a few wedding songs for the kids along the way. I loved writing music but chose to set it aside to focus on what was in front of me. During COVID, I returned to it. You can listen to a demo of one of my songs here. It is part of the Only While Im Human Project I am developing.
My focus is
1. Core Brilliance. This is a process I created in 2000 that defines what I call a person's Core Brilliance. In my brand development practice, this was one step in a series of steps. Now, I've plucked the one step out of the series of steps in order to offer Core Brilliance conversations to those who hear about it through friends and colleagues. My own Core Brilliance is to see and articulate the truth of a thing or a person, so of course articulating the Core Brilliance of people is a priority that still energizes me.
2. Only While I'm Human. This project is in its infancy and is devoted to creating media, merch, and music for the Darlings of What Can Be as they take their turn at being human. Items such as zines and scrolls are coming along.
3. Illustration and surface pattern design. During COVID, I began honing my skills as an artist through online courses and endless practice and discovered surface design. I'm dipping my toes into that to see if it is a fit and so grateful for generous online teachers, such as Bonnie Christine.
4. Songwriting. I'm completing ten songs for an Only While I'm Human album. A demo of the theme song was recorded in Nashville by my dear friend Jana Stanfield. I've received inspiring encouragement from songwriting weekend workshops with Beth Nielsen Chapman and David Wilcox.
5. LudiQs. LudiQs have been a project-in-waiting of mine for a very long time. They make it easier to spot the unspoken ludicrous questions that are behind basically everything that's not working in our lives and the world. The waiting is over and it's now time to bring these powerful little liberators to you.
Only while I'm human can I. So I do!
Jan