Spring Art Tour: Jane Varda

Jane Varda | pastel, oil

I work concurrently as a freelance art director and painter in my own office and studio. Trained in a variety of media, I paint primarily in oil and pastels, either en plein air or in the studio from photographs or still-life. My subject matter is usually landscape, figure or still-life and it is about the world I see around me and to which I am deeply, emotionally connected–the sanctuary of my country home and gardens; the limitless landscape opportunities outside my door; my family and my dogs. Photographs taken over many years, fill boxes and projects fill my head. There are not enough hours in the day, years in a lifetime, for all the painterly possibilities in the vast, rich imagery that surrounds me.

I love the atmospherics of the passing seasons in the rural landscape. I am fascinated by the pattern, shape, texture and infinite colour in both big sky scenery and in the perfect details of an exquisitely formed flower or shell. I look for the design and the abstraction within an image—working from natural subject matter to capture an image not identical but the equivalence of a scene. I become deeply engaged in breaking down the various elements of a scene and then in building it up in 2-dimensional layers of paint or pastel. Working outside, with the light changing value, hue, and chroma I learn to make my statements fast. I make colour decisions to frame an emotional response–an interpretation–of a moment held in time. Every painting experience is different. Not every painting is a keeper but the tired satisfaction that comes from a good day outside making art and the knowledge that a few finishing touches might lift these marks up to something to be enjoyed for some time, only makes this artist want to go back out again and again and again.

Spring Studio Owner (2006-)
Rowland Reading Foundation Freelance art director (2004-)
American Girl Senior manager creative (1993-2004)
Playfriends Owner family daycare (1987-1991)
Substitute art teacher McFarland and Madison (1977-1980)
Art teacher Eothen School, UK (1974-1977)

Associate of Arts, Commercial Art MATC Madison
Certificate, Art Education Manchester University, UK
BA Honours, Fine Art University of East Anglia, UK

Jane will be in her studio painting with oils each day of the Tour.

STUDIO ACCESS: The house and studio are built atop a hill overlooking Spring Valley Road. An initially steep gravel driveway (.3 mile) winds up to a flat area with ample parking space along the drive and also right up by the north-facing, studio entrance. The front entrance is accessed by a 16-step, including a half-landing, exterior stone staircase.

Spring Studio, 9332 Spring Valley Road, Mazomanie, WI 53560 | (608) 798-9999
jane.varda@tds.net