A Studio Full of Art and a Sky Full of Dogs
Sometimes i’m asked what a day in my profession looks like. Each day is a different adventure, but a recent visit with an artist captures something i love about this work. I went to talk about preplanning and left feeling uplifted.
I met with Phyllis Anne Taylor, known as artist Pannet—a visual artist, educator, and creativity facilitator—in her studio. Being surrounded by someone’s artwork while getting to know them is a wonderful experience. There is so much to notice, to ask about, and to appreciate. Our conversation about final arrangements became a conversation about creativity, identity, and the beauty & energy we bring into the world.
We talked about how an artist might personalize a celebration of life. How could their art be part of that experience? How might the things they created help people feel connected to them, tell their story, or continue to inspire someone?
Sitting there in her studio, those questions felt very much alive.
Creativity can show up in so many ways—in something we make, in an idea that helps us solve a problem, or simply in how we see what is around us. I shared with Phyllis that on sunny days with fluffy white clouds, they all look like dogs to me. A whole sky full of dogs! I love those days. 🙂
That little everyday joy felt right at home in our conversation. There are so many ways to notice and imagine, and so much we can discover when we give ourselves permission to explore.
Phyllis’s favorite thing to paint is faces, particularly those of women. Her work explores human experiences, identity, and the stories we carry. There is something especially fitting about getting to know her through artwork that invites us to look more closely at one another. And there is much more to discover beyond her portraits.
One of my favorite pieces in her studio was a mountain landscape. Alongside it was a gift her students had put together for her: a framed version of that landscape with thumbnail prints of their own interpretations from a class.
I was moved by the artwork itself, but also by the love conveyed in that gift. Each student had seen and created something a little differently. Together, their pieces became a beautiful thank-you to the person who had helped them discover what they could do.
The next day, i had the opportunity to hear Phyllis speak at an Orlando Business Network event. When she talked about what success means to her, i thought again about that gift in her studio.
What has touched her most over the decades, she shared, is hearing from former students about the impact art has had on their lives. Those are the experiences that make her heart sing. Having seen the care her students put into their gift, i could understand why.
She also spoke about helping people discover what creativity can do for them, personally and professionally. Business owners need fresh ideas to keep their businesses going. People need opportunities to explore, express themselves, and discover something new.
Hearing her speak gave me an even fuller appreciation of what she offers. An art class with Phyllis is an opportunity to make something, certainly, but also to discover what the experience of creating might open up for you.
Her work—both sharing and teaching art—uplifts others. As an artist, activist, and encourager, the beauty she contributes extends beyond her artwork to the people she encourages and the lives she touches.
It’s funny how human journeys intersect in unexpected ways. When we connected on LinkedIn, i learned that Phyllis attended the Philadelphia College of Art. I attended the Performing Arts School of Philadelphia on South Broad Street for high school. I’m still curious about how our schools’ histories intersect – and i believe they do – but discovering those shared Philadelphia arts roots here in Central Florida was a lovely surprise. The Orlando Business Network brought our paths together all these years later.
More on point, our work has some things in common, too.
First, we have a heart for service to older adults. During the OBN discussion, life and wellness coach Renee Britton, RN, highlighted the connection between art and cognitive health as we age. Research offers encouraging support: arts engagement has been linked to slower cognitive decline, and some structured arts programs have improved cognitive performance in older adults. Phyllis has been teaching at senior centers since 2011, bringing opportunities to create, learn, and connect into people’s lives.
- Frontiers in Psychology, Psychology of Aging, Vol 14, 2023
- Lin R, Luo YT, Yan YJ, Huang CS, Chen LL, Chen MF, Lin MJ, Li H. Effects of an art-based intervention in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a randomised controlled trial. Age Ageing. 2022 Jul 1;51(7):afac144. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afac144. PMID: 35871420.
Second, Phyllis creates opportunities for people to explore who they are and express what they find. That is something i value in my work, too. Before we can talk about what would make someone’s final arrangements meaningful, there is a person to get to know.
What brings you joy? Who are your people? What traditions feel like home, and which ones don’t fit you? What would you want someone helping with your arrangements to understand about your identity, your relationships, or the way you see the world?
You don’t have to arrive with answers to all of those questions. Sometimes a person knows exactly what they want. Sometimes we discover possibilities together. Part of my role is to listen, explain the options, and help you find ways to bring what matters to you into a plan that also respects your budget.
That is one of the gifts of planning ahead: time to be curious. Time to ask questions, consider something unfamiliar, talk with the people you love, and make thoughtful choices without the urgency that follows a death.
For an artist, that might mean surrounding loved ones with their work or inviting them to create something together. For someone else, it might be familiar music, a favorite gathering place, meaningful traditions, or a quiet goodbye. There is room for imagination in simple arrangements, too. What matters is that the choices feel right to the person making them.
And there is a practical kindness in putting those wishes into a clear plan. It can give the people who will carry them out guidance when they need it, helping them understand what matters to you and reducing how much they have to guess.
Both Phyllis’s work and mine invite people to consider what feels meaningful and authentic to them. Both can feel a little unfamiliar at first. Having someone who listens, welcomes your questions, and respects your choices can make it easier to begin.
I’m always grateful when someone trusts me with a conversation about preplanning. These are personal, important discussions, and it is an honor to be invited into them.
I came to help Phyllis explore possibilities in deathcare, and i left with a little more appreciation for the possibilities around me and the creativity within all of us.
That’s a pretty wonderful bonus of my profession.
Could you picture an original Pannet hanging in your office? Or gathering friends, colleagues, or your community for a paint-and-sip experience or creativity workshop? Phyllis welcomes connections with business owners, community and wellness organizations, and people interested in group classes or one-on-one instruction.
At OBN, she shared how excited she feels about what she can bring to others and the difference she can make. If you’d like to explore those possibilities with her, visit Pannet Art Studio or contact pannetart@gmail.com. Perhaps you’ll discover a little more of your own creativity along the way.
To explore unique ways to celebrate a life and plan ahead for final arrangements, contact me (Tee) at If you’ve wondered what your own arrangements could look like—or simply aren’t sure where to begin—you’re welcome to start with a conversation.
You don’t need to have chosen burial or cremation, decided on a ceremony, or worked out all the details. I’d love to hear what matters to you, answer your questions, and help you explore options that reflect your wishes, values, and budget. Call me, Tee, at 407-608-9242 or email tee.rogers@dignitymemorial.com for a free, no-obligation preplanning consultation.
t & Pannet:
