As an artist and storyteller, I’ve always understood that our stories are powerful and transformative. They’re how we remember, how we resist, how we rebuild, how we heal, and create new futures. Being a part of Portraits & Portals reminded me that the story and healing sometimes don’t always come from within us. Sometimes, it sets out to find us.

When I was invited to be a part of Portraits and Portals, I was honored to be asked and given the opportunity to create a piece inspired by Cassandra’s story, her journey through COVID-19, survival, and resilience. But I didn’t anticipate how telling her story through art would open a door I had quietly locked.

I lost my mom to COVID-19. And even though I’ve experienced grief before, this was different because it was my mom. I was devastated, and the one person who was always there to make even the worst situations okay was no longer here. My grief swallowed everything, and as a storyteller who depends on words to make sense of the world, the words that once carried me disappeared. Every attempt to speak felt like reopening a wound I couldn’t survive.

But hearing Cassie’s story and creating a physical representation of her experience and vision gave me a different language that didn’t require explanation. Through color and texture, I was able to process not only her strength but also my own grief.  

In telling Cassie’s story, I found space to hold my own. And sometimes, when words fail, art becomes the portal through which healing finally finds its way in, and the most important thing we can do as artists is to get out of the way. Let the story speak, and the spirits guide our hands. 

The Final Piece

From start to finish, check out the grand finale of Johnnie Jae’s fiercely beautiful artwork!

Share & Support Johnie’s Work

Praise for the Final Piece

“The beadwork is beautiful”

“Very profound that Covid isn’t going anywhere, it is within us and the universe must learn to live with it! The visuals of it are amazing.”

“Beautiful work, everyone! SO thrilled to see another beadwork in here! ”

Biography

Johnnie Jae is a Disabled Otoe-Missouria and Choctaw artist, journalist, and advocate whose work blends storytelling, digital media, and activism to explore themes of identity, resilience, and Indigenous futurism. As an artist for Eighth Generation, Jae brings her vision to life through vibrant designs that honor Native traditions while embracing contemporary expression. She believes in “painting your life in shades of happy,” infusing her work—whether through visual art, journalism, or advocacy—with a deep sense of joy, humor, and community. Through digital illustration, storytelling, and activism, Jae challenges stereotypes, amplifies Indigenous voices, and fosters cultural preservation, using creativity as a force for healing and empowerment.