A native of Alabama, Jan initially trained and began a career in social work, yet always felt torn between human services and desire to pursue art. “In the flexible days of my youth I had a great opportunity to take a hiatus, live on a friend’s farm, and immerse myself in art classes at a local university.” She completed core curriculum equivalent to an art major at Alabama’s Jacksonville State University in 1983 and taught art in the psychology department’s summer enrichment program for youth before returning to social work.
Jan made her home in Charleston, SC in 1989. With the support of husband Scott, she devoted herself to painting in 2003 and began to display professionally in 2004. She is an exhibiting member of the Charleston Artist Guild, has taken multiple ribbons in juried shows in the region, and is an associate member of Oil Painters of America.
During her 15 year career as an artist Jan displayed many years in a Broad Street gallery and was a long term participant in the annual Piccolo / Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition and the annual Southeastern Wildlife Exhibitions in Charleston. Jan’s realistic “nature portraits” now hang in hospitals, offices, and private collections throughout the US and Canada.