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When Inspiration Hits Different

Okay, let me set the scene for you: There I am, Solange's "Losing You" hitting just right in my headphones (because honestly, what's a creative session without the perfect soundtrack?), fresh Vogue magazine in one hand, scissors in the other. This right here? This is my happy place – where inspiration starts taking shape and creative magic happens. Not just in making a mood board, but in watching a whole vibe come to life right before my eyes.

You ever have one of those deep-dive conversations that just shifts something in your soul? I was having exactly that moment with my girl, getting real about making room for ourselves. You know the type of friend I'm talking about – the one who's somehow always going through the same things you are (like, how do we always end up on the same wavelength though?). We got into this whole discussion about how we as women sometimes build these invisible walls around ourselves, putting limits on our own light without even realizing it.

The Power of Visual Storytelling

And then – divine timing doing its thing – I found her. This image of a woman standing in her power, shot from below, radiating the kind of confidence we'd just been talking about. The way she's standing there, ten toes down in her truth? Pure inspiration. She was the visual representation of everything my friend and I had been putting into words, that reminder we all sometimes need that we're meant to take up space.

That single moment of alignment turned into something bigger than I could've imagined – a collection that would inspire women to Make Room. Not just for the obvious things like success and goals, but for the soul stuff: love, community, sisterhood, growth, confidence, and abundance. Because sometimes the most powerful mood boards aren't just about the aesthetic – they're about capturing that energy you want to bring into your life.

Making Space for Creative Freedom

Meet Jena Holliday, a full-time illustrator and author whose creative vision extends far beyond traditional boundaries. As the force behind Spoonful of Faith, her illustration and design company, Jena's work spans multiple creative territories – from children's books to retail products, always centered on a powerful mission.

"The art that I create centers women, black women, women of color, in a joyful, whimsical, restful imagery," Jena explains. "And that's really important for me. And that is weaved with encouraging, uplifting words of encouragement, many of them based on my faith and scriptural reference."

The Journey to Authentic Representation

For Jena, the path to her artistic focus emerged naturally from her lived experience. "I don't think there was an exact moment that this happened, but I think it's always kind of been ruminating in me because I just never really saw a lot of representation of myself or of women that I knew, or that really felt like it connected to me."

Growing up as the middle child of seven with four sisters, Jena was surrounded by diverse representations of Black womanhood. "I started to draw... And a lot of things that I drew were women. And I didn't think anything of it. But as I look back, I see that the women I drew were the women I saw in my life, the women that represented the women I loved."

The Creative Process: From Inspiration to Illustration

Wildly Loved Coloring Book | Sacred Creativity | A Spoonful of Faith by Jena Holliday

Jena's approach to mood boarding and creation is deeply intentional. "I will usually gather inspiration... whether that's just through my life, like through my own photos, my own walks, things that are going on in my life, or I'll go gather inspiration on things that I'm seeing on social media or Pinterest. I like to collect things. So I'm always making like boards... I'm always gathering. That never turns off with me."

This constant collection of inspiration serves as a wellspring for her creative process. "When it comes to time to create, I have so many things to pull from, and I can kind of decide what direction I want to go to. And then from there, I usually will sketch out ideas."

For Jena, the ideation phase holds a special magic. "Probably the envisioning, like the mood boarding because I am a visionary person... the ideation, brainstorming, dreaming up the ideas of where I'm going is probably my favorite part of the process." She particularly enjoys exploring new mediums, noting that "whenever I try like new mediums, like new things, like that's always really fun because it's like new thoughts, new ideas, new brainstorming, new vision."

Jena's work reminds us that mood boarding isn't just about collecting images – it's about creating intentional spaces for stories that need to be told and voices that need to be heard. Her approach challenges us to think deeper about how we gather inspiration and what stories we're choosing to tell through our creative work.

The Evolution of Vision Boarding

Let's have a real conversation about mood boards versus vision boards (because yes, there's a difference, and it's kind of a game-changer). I recently saw someone mention they're switching from vision boards to mood boards for their new year planning, and honestly? I get it. There's something more fluid, more artistic about capturing a feeling rather than locking into specific goals.

Think of it as creating an aesthetic for your life rather than a to-do list. It's less about "I must achieve XYZ" and more about "This is the energy I'm calling in." We love that kind of intentional flexibility.

Your Creative Playground

Here's what makes mood boards so special – they're like your personal creative laboratory. Sometimes I'm going full analog, scissors and glue in hand like it's art class (but elevated, you know?). Other times, I'm deep in a Pinterest session, curating digital inspiration boards that speak to my soul. The medium isn't what matters; it's the magic that happens when you give yourself permission to play and explore.

This Week's Creative Invitation

Ready to explore your own creative visualization? Here's your invitation to play:

Create a mood board that captures your current state of mind. What conversations have been lighting you up lately? Which colors are calling your name? What patterns and textures keep catching your eye? There might be a theme trying to emerge – let's find out what it is.

Share your creative explorations with me at hello@melarieodelusi.com or on Instagram @melarieodelusi. I'd love to see what story your mood board tells.

Episode Highlights

To dive deeper into our conversation with Jena, here's your guide:

- 00:00 The Power of Visual Storytelling

- 03:10 Creative Process & Encouragement

- 11:46 Representation in Art

- 16:23 Exploring the Creative Process

- 26:21 Finding Your Creative Flow

- 44:57 From Vision to Reality

Until next time, keep creating spaces that inspire you to dream bigger. And remember, sometimes the most powerful stories start with a simple image and an open heart.

Where to Listen & Connect

*This post was adapted from Episode 1 of The Rough Concept Podcast, featuring Jena Holliday . Connect with Jena Holliday at www.spoonfuloffaith.com and follow her journey on Instagram @aspoonfuloffaith.

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Share your creative journey using #TheRoughConcept and tag @theroughconceptpodcast. I can't wait to see what you create!