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The Turquoise Iris Journal is more than a magazine—it’s a creative community. In this section, you’ll find behind-the-scenes looks at each issue, updates about the Journal, and special features highlighting artists, contributors, and creative stories from our community. It’s a place to explore the heart of the Journal and the people who make it meaningful.
What does it mean to embody creativity? Maybe it means allowing the things you love to become part of the home you create. Maybe it’s planting one flower and discovering that you want to grow thousands more. Maybe it’s spending decades developing an artistic voice...
Creativity has a way of bringing people together. It connects strangers through shared stories, transforms ordinary materials into something meaningful, and reminds us that there is no single path to making beautiful work. The Celebrate volume of The Turquoise Iris...
Creative inspiration has a way of showing up when we least expect it, and disappearing just as quickly. If you've ever sat down to create only to feel stuck, distracted, or unsure where to begin, you're in good company. Every artist, maker, writer, and creative...
What the Artists of The Turquoise Iris Journal Taught Me About Returning to Wonder There is a quiet kind of longing that many of us carry. It isn't necessarily a desire to leave our homes or abandon our responsibilities. It isn't always a dream of sandy beaches,...
Before anything else, this volume is shaped by the voices and stories of contributors who are exploring what it means to awaken—through creativity, faith, color, memory, and lived experience. Each artist brings a unique perspective, offering not just their work, but...
Curiosity is the quiet fuel behind every creative life. It’s what nudges us toward a new color, a new idea, a braver way of expressing what’s been stirring beneath the surface. It’s also the heartbeat of the Winter 2026 issue of The Turquoise Iris Journal. This winter...
Heart Smiles Shannon Olson I have been creative since I was a young child. I would spend hours in my father's shop, finding so much joy in creating and painting things. My father once made me a wooden boat with a sail that I painted with lots of colors. I was so proud...
Being a creative feels a little like being an iceberg… folks only see about 10% of the work that we put out while 90% of our efforts are happening under the surface. I’ve been working hard in the background, under the surface, for the past few months in order to make...
Have you listened to our Paint Talks interview with THE Annie Sloan of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint? We are recapping some of the most memorable moments from Episode 27, originally released in March of 2021. It was a memorable conversation for Dionne and Annie is always an...
Christie Wright is a wife and mother of three young adults. "I am stepping into a new creative career. I grew up in northern Indiana and enjoy gardening, reading, and traveling. My business begin in May of 2020, and is growing steadily as I add new products. I have a...
