"My art is a blend of many different creative expressions over many years. Working as a fashion advertising artist in Chicago, I started experimenting with different forms of art in my spare time. Because I enjoyed fashion and working with texture, weaving became my main interest. I created wearable art, which I sold directly to boutiques and through apparel marts in Dallas, Denver, Chicago and Hawaii.
My interest in archeology and the art of early civilizations began to influence my art. I started weaving the Pre-columbian symbols into my designs. Then painting those designs on silk which I used in my handwoven fashions. Eventially, I discovered I enjoyed the painting process more than weaving. I continued to paint those ancient symbols but on canvas. Then I started to include the images of those ancient people and their modern descendants into my paintings.
Currently, working in either oil or pastel, my interests include portraits, figurative art and murals.
I feel I have combined and expanded on all my interests and as an artist, I am pleased with the result of this continous blending."

A California native, Janet was raised in Chicago where she first attended the Chicago Art Institute at age 11 on a scholarship awarded to promising students enrolled in public school. After high school, she attened both the Art Institute and the American Academy of Art, both located in Chicago. She worked in advertising for many years and taught fashion illustration, design and figure drawing at Ray Vogue School of art. (Ray College of Design and recently renamed again as Illinois Institute of Design) Currently, she lives in an 1842 Greek Revival home in the historic town of Galena IL, where she keeps her studio in the old servants quarters.  Her art has been shown in Southwest art and Weavers Journal..

Her creative experience includes teaching art classes and workshops around the United States,and curating local art exhibits. She has lead several student tours to England, France and Italy. Collectors of her art can be found both here and aboard.

SELECTED EXHIBITS AND IVITATIONAL SHOWS
Women`s Conference, China
Figurative Art League, Woodstock IL
Weyrich Gallery, Albuquerque NM
Southwest Art Festival. Albuquerque NM
O`Hare Airport, Chicago IL
Mid-coast Fine Art Council, Davenport IA
Second Dimension Gallery, New Hope PA
Witter Gallery, Storm Lake IA
Rocco Buda Gallery, Dubuque IA
Southwest Pastel Society of New Mexico
Hardy Gallery, Door County WI
Dearborn Reider Gallery, Boulder CO
James Thompson Center, Chicago IL

SELECTED COMMISSIONS AND COLLECTORS
Jonathan Frakes, "Captain, Rider from Star Trek"(paintings)
Genie Francis,"Laura from General Hospital" (paintings) 
Mr & Mrs R. Hirschmann, Baltimore MD (portrait)
Mrs Ines Jahnke, Rocstock Germany (portrait)
Mrs. Victoria Dobbs, Dubuque IA (family portrait)
Cafe Italia, Galena IL (mural)
Baskin Robbins, Dubuque IA (mural)
Galena/JoDaviess Historical Museum, Galena IL (mural)
Mr & Mrs Howard Kerr, Galena IL (paintings)
Mr & Mrs. Byron Johnson, Barrington IL (mural)

COMMERICAL ILLUSTRATION/ADVERTISING
Brown Publishing, Dubuque IA
Carson Pirie Scott and Co, Chicago IL
Hart Schaftner & Marx, Chicago IL
Marshal Field & Co, Chicago IL (freelance)
Carson. Pirie, Scott and Comapny, Chaicgo IL

RECOGNITION AND SELECTED AWARDS
Winner 2006, Lawlor Wine Label/poster contest
Winner 2005, Lawlor Wine Label/poster contest
Winner 2002, Lawlor Wine Label/poster contest
2003, 2005 & 2006 First Place Illinois Governor Conference on
     Tourism - Wine Label/poster
Dick Blick Awards of Excellence - New Mexico Pastel Exhibit 2000
TV Interviews - Chicago, Rockford IL and Dubuque IA
Tri State Magazine - Interview
Iowa Artist Series for PBS-TV series
Illinois PBS "Interview the Artist" series
Telegraph Herald, Dubuque IA interview

PUBLISHED ARTICLES
Territory Times, Galena IL
Weavers Journal, National Magazine
Julienne Journal, Dubuque IA

ART RELATED ACTIVITIES
President (4 times) Galena Artist Guild
Former Board Member of Galena Arts Alliance
Member of the Chicago Pastel Society
Member of Chicago Arts Coalition

Please don't forget to sign up to receive my e-mail newsletter.
I'll keep you informed on new art, exhbits and workshops.
Comments on my art are always welcomed.