Jana Van Wyk's bold and energetic brushstrokes show the emotion she experiences while viewing or remembering the unique light, color, and even temperature of a location. She paints both on location and in her studio -- painting in the alla prima style and usually finishing the painting in one session. Several times a year, Van Wyk travels to a variety of locations in search of inspiration and only paints subject matter that she has personally seen, experienced, and photographed. She has visited over 30 of America's National Parks, Monuments, and Seashores. She is a founding member of the High Desert Painters, a plein air painters group that travels and paints together.
Artist Statement
Experiencing and studying our American landscape provides me with endless inspiration. It could be the light that captures my interest, or the shadows or color. I am energized by experiencing and embracing these physical elements, and during the painting process this passion is transferred to my version of the truth on canvas. I like to start and finish each painting in one session, so each painting session is like an animated conversation where I tell you what I am feeling. Will you listen? Can you hear me?Biography
Van Wyk's drive and enthusiasm propels her into serious study of oil painting, both plein air and studio work. She loves to balance her creative and innovative character with her logical and technical expertise. A professional painter, and a 29-year veteran of the technology industry, Jana Van Wyk holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Calvin College and a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Raised in both the West and Midwest, she lives in Cary, North Carolina with her husband, son, and two dogs. A descendant of Montana ranchers who immigrated from Holland in 1915, she travels extensively, primarily in the American West, Southwest, the Carolina Coast and Mountains, and Midwest.
Selected Exhibitions
2011, "A Russian Night in Taos", Taos Art Museum, Taos, NM, juried by Executive Director
2011, "Scope: the North Carolina Landscape", National Exhibition, Visual Art Exchange, Raleigh, NC, juried by Allie Pitcher
2010 - "A Passion for the Western Landscape", solo show, Cary Senior Center, Cary, NC, sponsored by Town of Cary, juried by Art Director
2010 - "Spirit of Place", Millicent Rogers Museum, Taos, NM, juried
2010 - "Down Home: Portraits of the old North State", Raleigh Convention Center, Raleigh, NC, Visual Art Exchange and the Junior League of Raleigh, juried
2010 - "Ignite/Extinquish", artSPARK Gallery 2010, Raleigh, NC, juried by Exhibitions Director
2010 - "A Russian Night in Taos", Taos Art Museum and Fechin House, Taos, NM, juried by museum Board of Directors
2010 - solo show of 14 paintings: "Enduring Beauty: Landscapes of Northern New Mexico", sponsored by Visual Art Exchange at Cameron Village Library, Raleigh, NC, juried by Visual Art Exchange Exhibitions Director
2010 - "Raleigh en Plein Air", Raleigh City Museum, Raleigh, NC, juried by Ladye Anne Vickers, Museum Curator
2009 - "Someplace Like Home", Raleigh Convention Center, Raleigh, NC, Junior League of Raleigh and Visual Art Exchange, juried by Adam Cave, Nicole Kennedy, Melissa Peden
2009 - "High on Taos: Plein Air Painters of New Mexico Paint Out and Show", Wilder-Nightingale Gallery, Taos, NC, awards by Ray Vinella
2009 - “A Sale for the Season”, Visual Art Exchange Association and Gallery, Raleigh, NC
2008 - "Local Color: Local Color Gallery Paint Out and Show", Local Color Gallery, Raleigh, NC
2008 - "High Desert 2008", High Desert Painters, online show, curated by Ann Templeton
2008 - "New Beginnings", Grace Christian School, Raleigh, NC, juried by Fine Art Department - First Place
2007 - "Five", Page-Walker Arts & History Center, Cary, NC, PAQA-South, curated by Lyric Kinard
2006 - "Images", Page-Walker Arts & History Center, Cary, NC, PAQA-South, juried by Hollis Chatelain (year-long travelling exhibit - Cary, NC; Cincinatti, OH; Golden, CO; Schaumburg, IL, Harrisburg, PA; Santa Clara, CA)
2006 - "Visual Voice: Transforming Silence”, Cintas Center, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH, curated by Keisha Roberts
2004 - "Dancing with God", Chapel Hill Bible Church, Chapel Hill, NC, curated by Cyndi Whisnant
2003 - "Living Waters", Chapel Hill Bible Church, Chapel Hill, NC, curated by Cyndi Whisnant
Bodies of Work
Landscapes of Northern New Mexico - includes New Mexico landscapes from the areas of Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu, Chama River, Christ in the Desert Monastery, Taos, Espanola, Chimayo, Placitas, Truchas, Pilar, Rio Grande Gorge, Ruidoso, Ranchos de Taos, Arroyo Seco, Talpa, Lincoln County, Santa Fe and more.
Landscapes of the American West - includes Jackson, WY area, central WY area, southern Utah, northern Arizona, central Colorado, Montana, central California, Rocky Mountain National Park, Zion National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park, Yosemite National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park.
Landscapes of North Carolina - farmland, marsh, and coastal scenes, seascapes, and skyscapes.
Landscapes of the Midwest - farms, skyscapes
Textile Art Quilts - abstract, geometric styles. Media: batik, cotton hand-dyed by the artist, hand-stitched by artist, hand-embroidered by artist, machine quilted
Education
Daily self-study of masters using books, internet, art galleries, artist studio visits, and museums
Extensive travel, photography, and painting on location
2004-2010 - 10 week-long workshops and professional mentoring with Ann Templeton
2000-2014 - Workshops with: Camille Przewodek, Kim English, Robert Burridge, Rocky Alexander, Charles Reid, Tom Lynch,
Master of Science in Computer Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI
Professional Memberships
High Desert Painters, Founding Member of landscape painting group established in 2004
Visual Art Exchange, Raleigh, North Carolina, Exhibiting Artist
Plein Air Painters of New Mexico, Artist Member
American Impressionist Society, Associate Member
Oil Painters of America, Associate Member
Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters Association, Annapolis, MD, Member
High Desert Painters, Founding Member of landscape painting group established in 2004
Visual Art Exchange, Raleigh, North Carolina, Exhibiting Artist
Plein Air Painters of New Mexico, Artist Member
American Impressionist Society, Associate Member
Oil Painters of America, Associate Member
Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters Association, Annapolis, MD, Member
