FEATURED ARTIST   -  April 2005

Janet Kruskamp

Working in oil or egg tempera, Janet Kruskamp's paintings are executed in a style which might be described as Romantic Realism. Her studies reveal the underlying beauty of commonplace objects and places -- areas which many people pass daily without fully appreciating their true value.
 

Bear's Picnic

Janet searches for the truth as well as beauty in her studies of contemporary America. She is a realist working in the old tradition. Her paintings often evoke a mood of nostalgia and happiness and her work is imbued with luminosity as she combines her masterful use of color, light, shadow, form and texture. There is often great attention to detail where authenticity is important to the historical value of the subject and Kruskamp endeavors to create a sort of "time capsule" in many of her paintings; to show a sample of how we live, dress, work and play in twentieth-century America. These paintings might well be described as the nostalgia of tomorrow, capturing as they do, the flavor of an era.

Janet's paintings have earned numerous awards in national and international competitions and exhibitions and she has been honored for her contributions and achievements in the arts.  Janet accepts portrait commissions for both people and animals. In fact, as a child artist, Janet's first models were her pets. She enjoys painting various colorful subjects that "make people happy and warm their hearts."

In addition to Janet's 1930s and 1940s kitchens with wood burning stoves, apple pies in the making and her peaceful sun rooms and patios, Janet is well known for her cuddly teddy bears. Janet's bears can be seen cuddled together next to lacy pillows for an afternoon nap, relaxing on lush green grass for afternoon tea or picnicking under a large oak tree with delicate china and canning jars with homemade preserves tucked gently within the tree trunk.

Bears and Roses