Jana was born and grew up in Glen Rose, Texas and still lives in the same area today, but out in the country.
In what was then a small river town, Jana was free to roam the Paluxy River, which has always played an important part of her life. While growing up, the river was within a short walking distance from her home. Throughout life, the river has been a main source of entertainment year round. The beautiful scenery was to become a big influence on her art.
As a child, when given the opportunity, Jana loved to draw and do anything creative. She was the first in her immediate family to complete and graduate high school. Later in life, after marriage and having a family, she would become the first to attend and graduate college. She attended Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art with teaching certification. She taught high school Art from 1997 until her retirement. After retirement, Jana was able to focus on her personal interests of gardening and traveling, and incorporates those into her art, from scenes on a beach to flowers from her gardens. She has a large photo collection and uses those to work from her home studio.
Primarily inspired by the beauty of nature, Jana's style varies from realism or representational, from her realistic landscapes or her tightly rendered flowers, not only showing great attention to detail, but a love for the use of bold, sometimes, arbitrary colors and imagination in her florals and portraits.
Accolades:
- I attended and graduated from Tarleton State University with a BA degree in Art and teaching certification.
-I received scholarships based on my artwork.
-While in college, I was chosen to illustrate a story in the yearly publication of literary student work, along with another of my drawings.
-One of my paintings was chosen to be used as an advertising poster and for the front of the postcard invitations for a local art organization's yearly art show.
-I have work which was purchased and now on display in the Art of Texas Collection of the Braniff Museum in Dallas, Texas.
-Published in The Eyes of Texas Fine Art magazine, volume 7
-Accepted into several juried art shows, including the Wildflower Art shows at the Bosque Museum and the Lake Granbury Art Association
-I have done several commissions, some of special locations on the Paluxy River, some of old home places, portraits of friends' grandchildren, and even family members who are no longer with us.
-My work can be found in many different private collections in Texas, along with Georgia and also Canada.