By day, Arianna James is a biblical counselor.
What’s that, you might ask?
“It’s a type of Christian counseling,” says James. “Sometimes I refer to it as ‘crisis discipleship’ because it’s essentially pointing people to Jesus in the midst of their counseling needs.”
Though her practice, Papyrus Counseling (https://www.papyruscounseling.com/), is Christ-centered, it helps people in need wherever they are in their walk of life.
James says, “It’s about being a sister in Christ to people, or simply being a friend and companion to those who aren’t Christians, someone who can point them toward real hope and help during times of need and suffering.”
What’s the difference between biblical and traditional secular counseling?
James says, “The real distinction of biblical counseling is that there’s a third person—we’re actively involving God in the counseling process because the Bible teaches us that He’s the counselor, He’s the helper, He’s the healer; so He’s where we’re both going, and that’s what makes biblical counseling different.”
James herself is an artist and disciple of one of the most renowned Christian artists in the world, Ron DiCianni, whose projects have generated multiple millions in sales and have been translated into languages all over the globe.
James worked with DiCianni one-on-one starting in middle school in Southern California.
When she’s not counseling, she seeks therapy herself—with her tools of the trade: colored pencils, a little paint, and sometimes an iPad.
“One of my biggest struggles as a counselor is that I have a hard time turning it off,” says James. “My clients, their needs, and the things that might help them can stay in my mind all day long. Sometimes it’s easier to set that aside than others. The one thing that helps me step away from that mental load and return to the present moment is art. It slows my mind down. It lightens my heart. ‘Lightness’ is probably the best word for it. Counseling is heavy, and I love it. Art is light, and I love that, too.”
If you want to lighten things up, how about creating a rock-and-roll chicken, a comedy slogan (Chet Roberts’ “Anyhow”), and a rock-and-roll guitar on a T-shirt or hat, and capping it off with a special-edition swag collection featuring four drinks that align with 4th Door Media and the masses at large!
Yes, this biblical counselor has meticulously hand-crafted every image, dot by dot, on every piece of swag 4th Door has to date.
And in case you’re wondering, AI has ZERO to do with it.
James says, “This isn’t AI. It’s hand-drawn. If you ask AI to create a beach scene, it can produce something visually impressive, but ultimately it’s pulling from patterns and data. It doesn’t know what a beach feels like. It doesn’t know the smell of the ocean, the memories tied to that experience, or the personal significance those details might have for someone. I think we’re living in a time when so much is automated and increasingly artificial, human craftsmanship is becoming more valuable because it’s becoming more rare. Art is one of those places where a human eye, a human experience, and a human touch make a real difference in the final product.”
According to James, “The Fourth Door Happy-Hour series features different drinks connected to the founders and the people around Fourth Door. We came with a Kamikaze shirt, one featuring a Bloody Mary, an Old Fashioned, and a Jack and Coke.”
Which founder likes which beverage? If you know the 4th Door crew, it’s probably not that hard to figure out.
“The Jack and Coke is Chet’s drink. It was actually the hardest design because I had no clear vision for it. So I started researching. The themes that kept appearing were Southern culture, rock-and-roll nightlife, familiarity, and approachability. Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola both have roots in the American South, and the drink itself is about gathering with friends and enjoying something simple. That led me to the idea of a small-town bar sign. I also kept seeing references to backyard parties and community gatherings, which made me think of red Solo cups. So I created a design featuring two red Solo cups clinking together in a dramatic toast, surrounded by neon-inspired elements that represent nightlife and rock-and-roll energy. It captures both the fun and approachable nature of the drink. And honestly, “Jack and Coke” just looks cool as a design. The words themselves are visually fun to work with.”
\The Jack and Coke tee is in the final stages of production (the initial sketch is above) so look for that one soon.
The design for the Kamikaze was drafted to match the vibe and love of Japanese culture from co-founder Kevin Harold. James wanted to surprise Kevin with a design, and she accomplished her goal.
“When I learned Kevin’s favorite drink was a Kamikaze, I thought it would be a perfect surprise for him.
I had previously seen a vintage Coca-Cola Tokyo shirt with a pop-art, comic-book aesthetic, and that inspiration stuck with me. I wondered what it would look like if I combined comic-book elements with traditional Japanese art influences. So I researched Japanese symbols, patterns, textures, and design motifs, then blended those with comic-book styling. About fifty hours later, we had the Kamikaze shirt.”
What about the "Breakfast in a Glass" Bloody Mary shirt?
James says, "The Bloody Mary design came from a totally different direction. At first, I knew I wanted a 1950s diner vibe, but that alone wasn't enough. So I started researching the history of the Bloody Mary. I learned that it originated in a New York-themed bar, and another theme that kept appearing was brunch culture. New York plus brunch immediately made me think of bagels. Once I landed on the bagel concept, everything clicked into place. It felt like finding the final piece of a puzzle. Angelique (4th Door co-founder) loves a good Bloody Mary, so that one is kind of her vibe."
And lastly, there's the classic: the Old Fashioned tee.
"The Old Fashioned was one of the easiest concepts to envision," says James. "I immediately pictured a cigar lounge, a sophisticated library, dark wood, leather chairs, and warm lighting. The design needed to feel refined, classic, and substantial. The beauty of an Old Fashioned is its simplicity, so I wanted the drink itself to be the star. I focused on the glass, the way light reflects through it, the spherical ice cube, and the rich amber color. The orange peel garnish and cherry were essential, too. The supporting elements—sugar cubes and bitters—were included as simple black-and-white line drawings so they wouldn't distract from the drink itself. The drink just so happens to be one of Greg's (co-founder Greg McKinney) favorites, so I figured at least he would buy one for sure!"
When you meet James, it’s not hard to figure out why her designs are so unique. It matches her personality. She’s special, calm, and people just feel good around her. If I could draw her as a drink (which is laughable at best), it would be a warm cup of tea on a chilly December night.
That’s her cup of tea, and all of us at 4th Door are thankful she’s ours.
Note: 4th Door Media & Entertainment swag can all be found on 4th Door’s Shopify site (https://fourth-door-media-and-entertainment-2.myshopify.com/collections/all).
4th Door Media’s “Anyhow” swag and “Guitar 4” hats will all be available at the comedy show at Zanies Comedy Nightclub this Wednesday, June 4. The same place where 3 Doors Down’s Chet Roberts will be among those performing their comedy acts as part of Zanies Comedy All-Stars Night.