Java SE (Java Platform, Standard Edition)

I did do some searching....go easy on me (first posting of a question)

I have a textarea on my frame I use like a status bar.....giving the user hints on what they can/should do based on the applications state. I'd like using the JTextArea because I don't have to concern myself with how long of a string I put in it.....in the worst case the user sees some scrollbars.

I would like to remove the etched look from the text area though. Is that possible? Basically I want a JTextArea that looks visually just like a JLabel. I've tried using JLabel, but when the text to be displayed is dynamic, it makes sizing the label next to impossible. The functionality of the JTextArea seems to work the best, if I can get that etched/raised look supressed.

thanks to all and many thanks to the plethra of info I've found in the forumns already!!!!

JJ