Artist’s Statement and Resume

Jan Thomas

I paint as a natural response to the landscape. I like to think of it as a conversation; The landscape speaks to me as I view it’s infinite variety on a day to day basis, and I respond with a painting that, in my way, acknowledges its beauty. My hope, as an artist, is to relay to the viewer the wonder, expectation and sense of fulfillment that I receive from the scenes that are available to us all everyday if we are willing to quiet ourselves and take the time to look. I feel I’ve succeeded as an artist when people tell me that my paintings make them happy, or that they inspire fond memories.

My favorite painting medium is pastels, which are made of pure pigments held together with a binding agent and formed into sticks. Pastels are applied with the fingers, and as such are very tactile and direct. I love the pure, clean colors and the textures that appear as pastel is applied and layered over sanded paper. My paintings are always created out of inspiring encounters with nature, sometimes en plein air, other times finished in my studio. I am drawn to contrast; value, light, the size of shapes and forms, textures, strong elements next to weak. My process is started with a sketch to determine value and composition. Then, I create an under-painting with a pastel, watercolor or an oil wash. This is my favorite part of the process, when “accidents” happen, and the painting is full of possibilities. My paintings give me little gifts as I work, showing me unexpected color harmonies, new textures or unexplained surprises!

My current work is centered in the landscape where I live, the scenes I see on my daily walks that provide inspiration. I am particularly interested in trees because of their endless variety and unique personalities. This fascination was instilled in me at an early age by my mom, a semi-professional photographer, who had her own love affair with nature and took us kids along for the ride. Just as the landscape provides an abundance of variety, I love the challenge of exploring new ways to respond to its beauty and story.

Resume