Hello! I’m Jan, an artist and South Carolina native experiencing the beauty of life from our cabin nestled in the Colorado mountains.
“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream”.
-C.S. LEWIS
Years ago I can’t be sure that I would have believed that statement could be true. However, I am living proof that new beginnings do happen. After calling South Carolina home for over 50 years, in 2014 I took the first step towards my reinvention as I watched that small town disappear into the rear view mirror. My husband and I were finally traveling more than 1,548 miles to our new dwelling in Colorado. We had packed our home into boxes, said good-bye to our closest family as well as friends, and started that long drive in pursuit of a dream we’d held onto for over 30 years. That first mile down Highway 28, was the very beginning of an experience that brought honest reflection, immense growth, and abundant happiness into my life.
Alongside our move to Colorado was my retirement from the education system after 30 years as a Special Education Teacher. The combination of beginning a new life and the completion of a demanding career had given me the freedom and space to explore my long ignored artistic capabilities. I had always found myself drawn to the artistic facets of life in any form, from painting in what little spare time I could muster, using art to help promote learning with the children in my classroom, creating set designs for the schools drama club, touring local museums, to nurturing the artistic traits in my children. No matter how much I involved myself in or experienced, it always felt as if there were some part of me missing. The longing to create had been snuffed out by the realities of my life.
Retirement offered me the most precious gift, time.
The time to truly create art, the time to explore experimentation of style in addition to medium, and the time to make mistakes as well as fail.
Colorado offered me the most enriching gift, inspiration.
Inspiring me to find beauty in all that surrounds me, inspiring me to be abundant as well as fearless in my creative process, and inspiring me to find meaningful connections with fellow artists.
Through time and inspiration I began to better understand my voice as an artist. Eager to immerse myself in a newly ignited creative flame; I experimented with medium, color, scale, mark making, composition, texture, and functionality.
Within that creative exploration my artistic style blossomed and became more focused with every finished piece.
As I continued to blossom as an artist, those closest to me had finally had enough of me creating art in a shabby outdoor building on our property. They both figuratively and literally tore apart both the “art shack” and the negative thoughts I was struggling to let go of…“What is my worth as an artist?” and “Am I good enough?”. With every board, nail, and drop of paint I felt those feeling drifting away and I now have a beautiful studio that embodies the support, encouragement, and at times overwhelming understanding that people believe in me.
The transition from a career in education to fine artist has been filled with trepidation, growth, and in many ways a rebirth. Today, from my mountain top studio I create one-of-a-kind vibrantly colored pieces using mediums including alcohol ink, acrylic, and locally salvaged wood. Although my art continues to evolve it will always be influenced by the nature, wildlife, and stunning beauty of Colorado. My hope is that the serenity and happiness I found within this “reinvention” is echoed through my Art into the life of the viewer.
