Jan Myers
- PSA
News Letter & Current Events
Fall - 2006
Painting the Grand Canyon, 2006, An interview with the artist.
In June 2004 and October 2005, Jan made two week-long, dedicated painting trips to the Grand Canyon, South Rim.
The days were sunny and clear most of the time with some strong winds in October that prohibited any actual
sketching. She likes tent camping. The weather and nature are a nice part of the Canyon experience. Usually
traveling alone, her husband, Art, was able to go with her on the most recent trip.
You can see several of the new paintings by clicking on the Original Pastel Paintings page.
Q: What made you decide to paint the Grand Canyon?
A: Years ago as a young family we visited the canyon; then I’d stop by whenever I was in the area on gallery
business. Even though I’ve taken pictures and done a few sketches, nothing came of it. Then three years ago,
on another visit, my interest was greatly renewed. I felt ready to paint the Canyon. For the first time many
painting commitments were finished. It was time for a totally new painting experience.
All of my work, usually in a series, has been about some phase of my life. An example would be - storms over a
peaceful, expanding landscape would represent personal storms and strength as life was getting chaotic. Life is
good, now. I see it as a rich and complex experience. The Canyon’s grandeur and majesty are like my appreciation
for life. My skills as a painter have grown, too. I knew I could figure out a way to paint the canyon.
Q. Where do you start? The Canyon is such a huge subject. Is there a certain aspect that appeals to you?
A. That changes fairly often. I’ll look through my photographs (about 25 rolls printed 6x8) when I start
work Monday morning. Something will just sort of speak to me, have some special appeal. Painting isn’t an
intellectual process as much as a “gut feeling.” I’ll start drawing areas of color with the side of the pastels.
At first it’s color experimentations. A new technique I’m doing with the canyon is “sharing colors.” I put some
areas of color down and then smear it around with the adjacent colors. As the canyon walls fade back into the
distance they carry some of the foreground colors with them.
Q: Do you sketch on location?
A. I’m terrible at painting on location. The colors in real life are not what I’m after. I want those
special dramatic moments that happen sometimes. They’re short. I often have to rely on memory for the exciting,
glowing gold-orange of a rock wall at sunset, or the overall impression of soft reds and blues in the late
evening. Photos are usually disappointing when they’re developed. The remembered scene was so much bigger
and better. However, sketching is essential for looking closely at the scene and figuring out where one
wall stops and another begins. Sketching is necessary for understanding landscape structure, size relationships
and a general understanding of the colors. Then the photographs make more sense back in the studio. As I sit at
the edge of the canyon and draw, I become connected to the canyon in some way. Somehow the overall wonderful
experience of being there gets into the paintings.
Q. Tell me something about the colors you use. I see you have a very large set on your work table.
A. At this time there are about 600 colors here. I needed to buy about 20 new reds, rusts, and golds for
the walls when I started my actual paintings back in the studio. The different brands behave differently.
I needed to switch to the Unison pastels in order to get strong colors that would stay in place. Yet the
underpainting has to be done with Rembrandts and Schminckes that smear around well.
The investment in materials is worthwhile. I’d like to be working on the Grand Canyon for many years to come.
Jan looks forward to another visit to the Grand Canyon soon, perhaps to the North Rim. New ideas come along
all the time on the present material. Her style is changing. All the aspects of a canyon are so different
from the sagebrush and mesa landscapes she has done in the past. Time is needed to find a way to produce the
personal vision she’s seeking. Time is good to have. It took Time for the Canyon to be created. It will
take Time to paint it.
Arvada Art Studio Tour, Saturday and Sunday, September 23, and 24, 2006.
Each year the Arvada Art Studio Tour grows another leap and becomes better and better. This is my 5th year
and as one of the charter members I carry on the tradition through planning and organizing as well as exhibiting.
We’ve had a great team of volunteers join us this year. The variety and quality of artwork of all 26 artists
is well worth seeing.
At my home studio, everything is displayed throughout the house: unframed sketches, new handsomely framed paintings,
old work at reduced prices, prints, everything. In the actual studio all my pastels are laid out next to the work
table. Visitors have a chance for a leisurely walk through; they can ask questions, see a short demo on how I
work with the pastels and try a hand themselves.
Hours for the Tour are from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM each day.
Dark Lagoon, 4 chosen as the limited edition print for 2005 Rocky
Mountain PBS Art Auction.
was chosen as the print by Rocky Mountain Public Television for their 2005 Colorado Art Auction. A
limited edition (100 signed and numbered prints) was issued and may still be purchased for $60 each through
KRMA TV, 303-892-6666. Note cards are also available.
Exhibit at the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center in Pueblo, Colorado.
Fourteen landscapes were on exhibit from November 2004 through February 2005 in the Third Floor Foyer Gallery.
Included were several scenes from the Dark Lagoon series, Monte Vista Wetlands, and several southwest
thunderstorm paintings.
It’s Easy to Buy a Painting or a Print.
Those of you who live outside the western region may not have seen my work in person. The website can be the
next best thing. I’m available to do commissioned paintings from within my own repertoire of subjects.
Two ads in Southwest Art Magazine, September 2006 and February 2005, feature several paintings. New Giclee
prints are coming along all the time. Some of my work will soon be available on E-Bay. To see paintings
anytime here in the Denver area just call the studio and we’ll set up a time.
Phone: 303-428-7394. Or to send an Email:
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