Our featured member this week is Jan Fraser, of Alberta. Says Jan:
“Art has been part of my life since childhood, with lessons at the Edmonton Art Gallery and encouragement from my Grand-Uncle, Murray MacDonald who was a former member of the Edmonton Art Club and a well known watercolourist. When Murray retired from the University of Alberta, he began teaching me every Sunday afternoon and eventually we had a three generation show with Murray, my Aunt and myself. There have been many shows since. My first job in education was teaching and writing Art courses for the Alberta Correspondence School. From there I moved on to Edmonton Public Schools with a varied career in which Art was always involved. I recently retired as Assistant Principal of an elementary school with a Fine Arts Focus. I have always preferred the spontaneity and experimentation possible with watercolor but in the past year I have been playing with carving modeling paste for a textured foreground with acrylic and watercolour paint. This allows me to play with texture and rock formations in the foreground.”
“The weather, landforms and atmosphere of Alberta have always been my inspiration. One maxim that I have is that painting material is all around us. We do not have to travel far to see and feel. Another is to approach art with a sense of play and experimentation in order to continue learning. I enjoy my three grandchildren (one of whom is autistic), travel with my husband Jud, gardening and golf. I am an active member of the Edmonton Art Club.”
Below is an example of Jan’s work. For more, please visit her website.
IWS Canada 