ABOUT THE ARTIST

Growing up in Indiana, Jane began drawing and painting at an early age, inspired by the paintings of the Hoosier Impressionists TC Steele, William Forsyth, Otto Stark and others. After graduating from Indiana University, she studied with Riley Bertram, Hoosier artist, whose studio was located in the artist colony of Nashville, Indiana.

In 1976, Jane moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan with her family and attended classes in painting, drawing and photography. She established Washburn Fine Antiques, specializing in English, Continental and American furniture, decorative and fine art. Jane then became a certified member of the International Society of Appraisers specializing in the appraisal of antiques and fine art. 

Jane now resides in South Florida devoting her time to her passion of painting en plein air, drawing inspiration from nature. By capturing the tropical colors, revealed in the light and shadows of South Florida’s natural beauty, Jane’s artistic mission is to catch the fleeting images of our disappearing landscape.

Jane has attended workshops with the following artists: Charles Sovek, Morgan Samuel Price, Larry Moore, Roger Dale Moore, Gavin Brooks and Charles Reid. 

Commissioned Work
Jamesport Brewing Company, Ludington, Michigan and Private Requests.

Memberships
Plein Air Florida 
The Studios of Key West
Bonnet House Museum and Gardens Fine Artists, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Pembroke Pines Art Guild, Pembroke Pines, Florida 
Weston Art Guild, Weston, Florida

Awards
Bonnet House, Best of the Artists Series, People’s Choice Award, 2008
Pembroke Pines Art Guild, Small Works Competition, First Place, 2008

Exhibits
Gingerbread Square Gallery, 2010
City of Pembroke Pines Glass Gallery Annual Juried Art Competition, 2007-2008
Bonnet House Impressions of Florida Juried Art Competition, 2009
Bonnet House, Best of Artists Series, 2009

ARTIST STATEMENT

Everything under the sun is beautiful if you have the vision. It is the seeing of the thing that makes it so.
Charles Hawthorne

My art reflects a plein air inspiration and a love of South Florida’s natural treasures. The majestic blue heron and other tropical birds in their various habitats are frequent themes in my body of work. 

I use a limited palette to capture light and shadows and the interaction of our vibrant tropical colors. Oil is a fantastic medium in which to portray this color, light and texture. Painting in early morning and late afternoon light is my preference.

Laying the first stroke on a canvas can be very intimidating; however, there is nothing more exciting than putting the final brush stroke on the focal point of a painting to spark the viewer’s interest. 

My hope is that my paintings will bring to the public an awareness of our tropical heritage and a reminder that we must protect and preserve or we will be left with only memories. 

Beauty is everywhere! I paint because I love it.

Working outdoors or from life puts you in direct contact with the life force, not just the light and the landscape, but also the vitality of the world around.
John F. Carlson