Jane Welsh

June 2-4

Jane was born in Owen Sound, Ontario, and moved to Welland, Ontario, at age 11.

''I graduated from Hamilton Teachers College and The University of Western Ontario. My working years were as a teacher of blind children, both in a classroom and later as an itinerant teacher in several locations. Always interested in art, but unable to pursue that interest while teaching and raising a family, I began painting in Arizona while wintering there after retirement and have continued to paint and take painting lessons since that time.

The first lesson I took captured my imagination and I knew that painting was an activity that I must continue to pursue, even though I mainly made mud for the first year. I have taken many classes from many teachers and will continue to do so. My day does not feel complete if I haven't wet a brush. I love to experiment and combine mediums. I love colour and texture. I take many photos but have no desire to reproduce them in paint; instead I try to use elements of photos to create my individual interpretation of my world. I am constantly looking for materials to give my work a different look and feel.

My paternal grandmother was a wonderful artist using oils; I wish I had known her and I treasure one of her paintings which I inherited. My father, who lived to the age of 105,  was a wood carver, wood burner and was writing his fifth book when he was well into his hundreds. I feel blessed that, perhaps, I have inherited some of the artistic talent that has been passed down in his genes. ''