Reflections After My Open Studio
"I sit in quiet gratitude for the magic that just happened.”
After each Open Studio, I take time to pause and reflect. Over the past 35 years, I’ve hosted many of these events, yet each one feels fresh and meaningful in its own way. It was wonderful to reconnect with old friends and to meet new ones. Someone mentioned that I have “arrived” as an artist. I smiled, but I don’t see it that way. To me, “arriving” suggests there’s nowhere left to go. I’ll continue to grow and discover more about who I am through creating art.
Lately, I’ve been having such fun painting landscapes. They seem to be taking on a new dimension, blending my understanding of abstraction, color, and the expressive possibilities of Cold Wax. At the same time, my female figure paintings continue to resonate deeply with women. I feel an abundance of inspiration, an urgency, even to create as much as I can, while the ideas flow.
One of the greatest gifts of an Open Studio is seeing my work reflected in your eyes. Being an artist can be solitary; we often create in silence, hoping that our work will speak to someone. This weekend, I was blessed by so many of you who connected with my art and reminded me how fortunate I am to share this creative journey.
I also realized that it may be time to teach. My studio is just the right size for me, but not for a large class. Still, so many artists expressed curiosity about Cold Wax and the process behind my paintings. I know it’s important to pass on what I’ve learned, and I’ll be exploring how best to do that in the months ahead.
In the meantime, you are always welcome to schedule a private studio visit—to view my work, ask questions, or simply share a conversation. I would love to meet you or see you again.
I'M BACK-Open Studio October 25th & 26th 10 AM-4 PM
Ancestry, Coldwax and Oil
Currently showing at Cura Contemporary
I have been in production mode and loving it! Hope to see you at my Open Studio October 25th and 26th from 10 AM to 4 PM at 18385 Castle Hill Dr., Morgan Hill, (408)460-7237. I have many new pieces to show, all sizes and themes. And of course I am still in creating with Cold wax. Texture always enhances color, and you know that color is my first love.
The latest news, I have been chosen as an exhibiting artist at Cura Contemporary, which is quite an honor. The Cura Contemporary is state of the art; a gorgeous setting located in downtown Morgan Hill. It certainly is an arts destination for the greater Bay area. Please make sure you take time to support their efforts and visit their beautiful gallery. Ask them to show my artwork that they keep in inventory. And enjoy a meal at their lovely Vera restaurant located on the first floor.
Paradise Valley, Oil and Cold wax, 48" 48" will be represented at Colibri Gallery for a preview of the Morgan Hill Open Studios during October 21-26th. Colibri Gallery will be featuring all the local artists attending Morgan Hill Open Studios. The Artist's preview reception is October 22nd between 6 and 8 PM.
Morgan Hill Open Studios 2022
Save the date for the second Morgan Hill Open Studio. Please save the date for November 5th, and 6th from 10 AM to 4 PM to visit over Morgan Hill Open Studios was created in collaboration with the Morgan Hill Library Culture and Arts Commission and the City of Morgan Hill and operates as a project of the El Toro Culture & Arts Committee of the Morgan Hill Community Foundation.
It was so great seeing all of you last year. I will be having many new pieces to show you, including 8 new large cold wax and oil paintings.
There will be many chances to purchase art at a price point you can afford. Many pieces will be at competitive prices for these dates only. If you don’t have a chance to attend, you might want to inquire about the piece you have been interested in.
I will also be having a demonstration on how to use cold wax and oil on paper at 10:30 AM Saturday November 5th. It will be a great time to ask questions about techniques and materials.
Lastly, you will have a chance to win a work of art by attending. Winner will be announced at the end of the event.
I am so excited to visit with you and show you my creative space!
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Spring Opening at Colibri Gallery
Visit Janet at the Colibri Gallery
Just a quick note to notify you that I am having a show at Colibri Gallery, 17505 Monterey Road, Morgan Hill. Join Us for the Spring Opening Reception featuring my work on Saturday March 26th from 5PM- 7PM. Enjoy catered refreshments by Ladera Grill. The show will include “The Story of Twelve” as well as new artwork. All work will be cold wax on Arches oil paper mounted on cradled wood panels. The hanging turned out beautifully and I am proud to have you see all the hard work.
I would love to see you there. Please know that all are invited.
Thank you!
Hummingbird Don’t Fly Away 36″ x 36″
Hummingbird Don’t Fly Away 36″ x 36″
Open Studio
Open Studio Event Was A Success!
November was a fantastic month! Why? Because I finally was able to see you in person. I had a wonderful Open Studio November 6-7th. This was Morgan Hill’s first Open Studio featuring 40 plus artists from Morgan Hill and Gilroy, CA. It was a great success.
If you came to my Open Studio, you were able to see the unveiling of my series “Twelve of Twelve”, in which I took 12 of my favorite studies from 120 small abstracts and enlarged them to 36” x 36” in Cold wax on Arches oil paper.
Feeling the praise of the people who came to visit, not only allowed me to acknowledge all the hard work that I had done for this show, but it also validated 30 years of my experience in fine art. I didn’t realize how much it would fill my heart to see my customers in person and connect with you through my art. You were all so kind and encouraging.
You also, made me aware that I need to take my knowledge and set up some way I can share that knowledge either through workshops or online courses. I would be very open to hearing your suggestions. I had enough art lovers and artists ask me how to use Cold Wax medium, since that is currently my medium of choice.
It takes a village having a show. I want to give a nod to the Cultural and Arts commissioners Paul Lake and Suman Ganapathy, who had the vision to initiate the Morgan Hill Open Studio and Ellie Honl Herman Gallery director and Framing General manager at Colibri Gallery, who was a great support in making my Open Studio a success. She and her employees beautifully mounted my Twelve of Twelve series on cradled panels.
Below is a photo of their set up. They were able to take on the challenge of doing something unique and different for me.
It was a great feeling seeing my work come to fruition and seeing how beautifully they finished each piece. I was very proud to show off my work knowing that they were quality from beginning to end.
Thank you so much for coming to my show and if by chance you were too busy, here is a video of my Open Studio setup.
I would like to offer that you are welcome to visit me anytime, either to ask questions or perhaps find a piece or two for your home. Please send a message through the contact and I will get back to you as soon as possible to set up an appointment or answer your question.