2024 May Familiar Figures by Jan Rockwell

Janice Rockwell Familiar Figures May 2024
This exhibit is a series of oil paintings in vivid color based upon old family photos juxtaposed against more recently taken shots. They are thoughtfully composed records of teachable moments, memorable firsts, and some of the many milestones’ families enjoy together. These timeless images could be anyone’s family and the resulting paintings are easily relatable. FMAAA Art Center is grateful to Connection Bank for their generous support and sponsorship of this month’s exhibition.

Rockwell’s early interest in art as a child had led her to become an art teacher. She received her degree from Western Illinois University. Rockwell’s career began as an educator and later included school counselor. While raising a family at the same time, painting she so loved was relegated to moments of leisure. During that period, Rockwell primarily used watercolors as a medium and landscape as subject. She developed an accomplished control and an ability to express her imagery through dynamic washes and intensely colored imagery. After she retired, Rockwell took additional figure drawing and painting courses at WIU. Of her current art practice Rockwell states,“Though I now work in both watercolor and oil I am drawn to the rich surfaces oil paint produces and love the experimental element of collage I often use with both.” Rockwell further muses about this exhibition, “The paintings in this exhibit are created from black and white family photos taken from my childhood as well as from more current photos of grandchildren. Though the subjects inspire me it is the relationships, the use of colors and textures, that excite me. As I apply paint with palette knives, textures are revealed that seem to create themselves.” Janice Rockwell works out of her rural Macomb home studio Earth, Air & Water. She will be on hand for Lunch ala Art and a gallery talk about her artwork on Friday, May 24 at noon where she will describe her process and artistic ideas in more detail. Later that evening Kent Strabala will be playing during FINALE, a free performance evening, as the FMAAA closes out the main exhibit for the month.