Born in Malawi in Central African and growing up in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe and moving to South Africa as an adult. Jan sold has always had a love of art and selling her first painting at school. Art became a passion for life.
As a part member of South African Society of Artist and the Constantiaberg Society of Artists. Jan took part in many selective exhibitions in Cape Town at the Kirstenbosch Gardens and Groote Constantia Wine Farm.
Moving to Hong Kong a city that affects all the senses, inspiration came not only from the glistening high rise towers, but also from the culture of the citizens, their openness, friendliness, and curiosity of this solitary “Gweipo” sketching, painting, photographing their daily life.
Jan joined a group of 16 local and international artists called “Artists Abroad”, assisting in organising exhibitions at the Hong Kong Convention Centre and selling paintings, which are now in international collections and becoming Chairman of the society. Jan was also a member of the Confederation of Hong Kong Visual Artists. She held a solo exhibition at the China Tee Club and had work published in Plantexpat, BC Magazine, South China Morning Post and the Hong Kong Town Crier. She started to tach art to adults and children. She has been presented with Service to Community Awards by the Ku ring gai Council and Alister Henskens Federal MP.
On moving to Australia, whilst working with her husband running a business, Jan joined Ku-ring gai Art Society and has been secretary for 14 years.
She became a fellow of the Australia Society of Marine Artists and Artist of the year in 2014, when she was presented with the Presidents Medal for the best marine painting in Australia. As part of ASMA, Jan joined a group of 10 women artists to become Artists in residence for the Sydney heritage Fleet – AIR. The tenure ended with a exhibition on the tall ship, James Craig, to raise awareness for the Fleet.
Her paintings have been purchased by the Mayor of Ku ring gai and she has won prizes including The Spirit of Ku ring gai and the Silver Jubilee Award and she has been exhibiting annually in selective exhibitions with Ku ring gai Art Society, Kings School and the Royal Easter Show.
“Art is a joy, I hope to pass that joy onto students and teach art to be loved as I do.”
EXHIBITING MEMBER
Ku-ring-gai Art Society – Sydney Australia – Secretary for 13 years (2010 to 2023)
Fellow of Australian Marine Artists Association
PAST MEMBER
Artists Abroad – Hong Kong (16 members – rotating roles towards creating Annual exhibition at the Hong Kong Convention Centre) Chairman for 2 years- 2001 – 2003)
Confederation of Hong Kong Artists
South African Society of Artists
Constantiaberg Art Society
AWARDS
Australian Marine Artists Presidents Award -Judges by the Members-2014
Ku ring gai Art Society 2013 -The Spirit of Ku ring gai – 1st prize.
2016 – The Spirit of Ku ring gai – 1st Price
2018 – Highly commended – Oils
2022 – Silver Jubilee
2022 – Views Choice Award.
PUBLISHED
Plantexpat
BC Magazine – Hong Kong
South China Morning Post
Hong Kong Town Crier
PROJECTS
Artists in Resident Sydney Heritage Fleet, part of a group of 11 women painting the Fleet.
‘Geoart Project’, connecting the Women of Artists Abroad Hong Kong who now live around the world. The portfolio is being carried from one Artist to another Artist by a friend to a friend. The portfolio contains a notebook, disposable camera and a world map to plot is journey at its destination the Artists will add their artwork before plotting its course to the next Artist. At present it has travelled from Michigan to Los Angeles, Hawaii, New Jersey and still needs to find its way to Canada, Hong Kong, Bali and Sydney Australia.
