"I want to see juicy apples!” bellowed artist/instructor Janet Church at a student who was struggling to get rich color into a still life. The intense teacher meant business when she taught. Incidentally, Janet didn’t wholly accept her early art instructors, who passed along mere techniques without a basis of methodology. She wanted more from those teachers who professed, “You just have to learn to see.” 

Then Janet found Japanese-American artist, Taro Yashima, who asserted that paintings were ‘built’ with a foundation of classic art principles using tools which could be taught to the so-called talented and untalented alike. Historically, the old masters themselves had used much of this methodology. The ‘tools’ can be sourced to the handle of a single paint brush which may be used as a measuring device, a ‘level’ to get proper direction lines of any subject, up to the building of paint on the canvas. The student begins learning how to create the structure of the form in front of him/her rather than merely attempting to copy the superficial details.  

Her Legacy Lives On.
Her daughter Holly Overin continues her teaching tradition at Janet's Art School  in Whittier, Ca.

Janet Church I came to a tremendous realization this summer. I am really old. This acceptance triggered a whole new attitude in me. I had been comparing myself to the other Janet: The Janet who remembered names and did at least three things in two hours. Now in a time space of two hours, I feel proud to do one thing and that one thing can exhaust me. <<article & poem here>>

Janet Church, who passed away in March 2005 was a devoted and driven force to all who experienced her. She was dedicated to building knowledge and character in her pupils, through her teaching of Yashima’s ‘redraw method’. Taro Yashima was also an author and illustrator of well-loved children's books such as ‘Crow Boy’ and ‘Momo’s Kitten’.

Paint What Smiles at You

Show: April 4th – June 28th, 2009

Joy Collier, Holly Overin & Glen Eisner - Join Talents!

Joy Collier's Artist Profile

Show: April 4th – June 28th, 2009

Saturdays & Sundays

Exeter California’s
Courthouse Gallery of the Arts & Museum

125 S. “B” St.
Exeter, Ca. 93221
Gallery & Museum Hours:
10 A.M. to 4 P.M.
Saturdays & Sundays
Groups welcome during the week by appointment

Print a flyer for the Art Show

Print directions to Exeter, Ca from HWY 99 & Tulare, CA.

For website questions, inclusions, etc. e-mail: joy@janetchurch.com