Artist Janet Ekholm is a rising star on the West Coast art scene. Soon to be featured on Oregon Public Television's Oregon Art Beat, her bold colors and the unique serenity in her work will soon be familiar to art lovers across the country.
Janet studied art history in France in the 1970’s and immersed herself in Impressionism and the other great periods of French art. In the 1980’s she lived in Istanbul, Turkey, and the influence of Turkish folklore and the cultural influence of Anatolia can be seen in her work today. First working with colored pencil drawings, her style moved to the warm, rich pastel works in this collection. These oil pastels allow her to use earthy, intense colors to reveal the spirit of our surroundings and the beauty she sees in life.
Janet says, “I love painting the human figure, especially the female figure. I want to celebrate the inner strength and grace of women, surrounded by the things that matter to them….the simple pleasures of the home and the beauty of nature. I hope my paintings help to elevate the spirit of the viewer, induce harmony, and a sense of peace.”
