Artist Spotlight: Janene Pratt

Artist Janene Pratt

Janene Pratt, of Bryan, Texas, is this month's Spotlight Artist. If you would like to be in the spotlight, please email Anna at annarosebain@gmail.com to submit your information. (My apologies for not having a July Spotlight Artist - the summer got away from me!) :-)

Noteworthy news: Janene's drawing, "Pastry Class," will be featured in the drawing book: Strokes of Genius (5th edition), to be published by North Light Books in 2013.

Interview with Spotlight Artist for July/August, Janene Pratt:

1) When and how did you first become seriously interested in Art? I have  ALWAYS been interested in art. I became serious in High School and was placed in an advanced painting course.  It wasn’t really a course where I learned anything but I loved painting and my professor encouraged me to major in Art.  In College I tried to pursue my artistic passion but was caught in the middle of the “do your own thing”  era.  Many of the courses were about contemporary art and expression and I hated them.   I longed to find classical courses but they were few and far between. 

"Pastry Class," by Janene Pratt

2) What is your training, and what medium(s) / subject matter do you work in? My father, mother and sister are/were artists and I learned much from watching them.  When I finally had time to study, I took from some very fine instructors as often as I could.  I only wish I had found them earlier.  These include:  Nelson Shanks, David Leffel, Sherrie McGraw, Henry Yan and Gregg Kreutz.   I draw a lot and use charcoal and conte.  I have recently taken up pastels.  But mostly, I use oils.

3) What do you try to express in your work? I love the chiaroscuro style of Rembrandt.  So, I guess the answer would be capturing the light.  I paint and draw from life,  90 % of the time.  I also do a great deal of narrative paintings.  People seem to love them.

4) What artists/professionals have been your biggest influences? They are the same as my teachers mentioned and of course Rembrandt and Caravaggio. 

5) What do you do to gain new inspiration for your work?  I look everywhere:  books, movies ,photos and other artist’s work.  I am a photographer too and love to take photos.  Trips to Europe, Ireland, Russia and Mexico bring new inspiration.

6) What would you like to be doing with your art ten years from now? I may be barely moving but I hope to be painting.

"Study of a Back" by Janene Pratt

7) Do you set goals for yourself concerning the making of your art?  Yes,  I have really tried to work on something different each year.  One year it may be value, the next color, then edges and so on.  I try to paint or draw every day if possible and love having the opportunity to do so with live models.   I try to take at least one to two courses every year.

8) Are you happy with your job choice as an artist?  If I had to look at it that way, I would be starving. I am lucky to have other means of making ends meet.  Do you have any regrets in this career choice or things you would have done differently? No …Just wish I could have started “really" painting much earlier.

9) Any fun or interesting facts about yourself that you'd like to share? I found myself going blind and have recently been given new sight through means of a corneal transplant.  Its great to see again.  Talk about seeing the world through someone else’s eyes.  I am extremely blessed to have new sight.

"The Urban Planner" - 20x16
charcoal on paper
 by Janene Pratt

10) Best piece of advice for other artists?  Work hard and remember to not take criticism personally.  I have learned that my work is not “me”.  If you like it …great!  It is something I do, not who I am.

"The Poet," by Janene Pratt

Contact Info:
Janene Pratt
Website: http://www.janenepratt.com/
Email: janenep@suddenlink.net