Jan Heaton
Jan Heaton’s artwork reaches for a sense of calm and tranquility. Her watercolors on paper are inspired by the structure, color, and pattern of elements in nature that are often overlooked. I prefer the watercolor medium, as I love paper, and the organic manner in which the pigment integrates with the paper. The marks, pigment selections, and translucent layers are precise, thoughtful, and carefully orchestrated.
During the past ten years I have been interested in how color in our surrounding environments — particularly nature — influences our personal health and well being. After reading the book Healing Spaces by Esther Sternberg that explores how our immediate environment affects our senses, emotions, and immune systems I began a journey to paint what brought me peace. With an emphasis on repetitive, and quiet patterns of movement found in nature I focused on line, color, and form.
I understand that my paintings may draw different meanings, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. My intention is not to impose a specific message to the viewer. I often hesitate to title my paintings, for fear that they will be translated only according to my vision, and close a door to another interpretation. I hope my paintings will allow the viewer to observe a familiar object in a new way and bring them peace.
Born in Detroit, Austin, Texas is home. Jan’s artwork is represented by Davis Gallery in Austin. Art dealers in San Antonio, Atlanta, Marble Falls, Camden, Maine, and San Francisco also represent her work. She teaches watercolor workshops at the Contemporary Austin Art School | Laguna Gloria, Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Snowmass, Colorado, and Peninsula School of Art in Door County, Wisconsin.
