Jan’s father was a silversmith who created objects mainly utilitarian in nature consisting of traditional hollowware.  Her mother, a watercolorist, tutored her in color, design, ceramics, weaving, oil and acrylic as well as in watercolor.  She earned degrees in art education and fine art from the University of Wisconsin.  She is a retired Director of the Peninsula Art School and now spends time pursuing art at home and on a 30 foot boat.  Living on a trawler four months out of the year on Puget Sound in Washington and British Columbia, Canada, has broadened the inspirations basis for her artwork as well as added new dimensions to techniques used by working in a smaller area.  Having two art studios in her home in Ellison Bay is reduced to a simpler 30 foot boat and been the vehicle to work on smaller watercolor, improve sketching techniques, and adapt silversmithing techniques to include handmade glass beads from the Northwest as well as incorporating other work.

It has been important to Jan that she share her love and knowledge of art with students.  After teaching art in public schools for 16 years, she presently teaches both adults and young artists both at The Clearing and The Peninsula Art School.  In these classes whether they be watercolor or methalsmithing, the challenge to experiment and learn unusual techniques is the emphasis in each class.  Her constantly changing artwork show this challenge in “walking the edge” in art as well as environment.  If exposing students to new techniques, materials and thoughts changes their artistic horizons, she considers the teaching and learning experience successful.

Several pieces she has created in 2008 have been a two year study of the sandhill crane.