About

Hi, I’m Janice and I started Art Café by a chance. I’ve always loved art. I was really good in art class during public and high school. I even entered college in a Fine Art program but then graduated from Fashion Design from Fanshawe College.  Up to recently, I never gave myself the time to explore creating my own art.

I’m now retired but I was a typical working Mom who spent much of my life taking care of my family. Now don’t get me wrong…I have loved every minute of every day with my favourite fam jam. They are loving and wonderfully supportive and I love them to bits.

Truth be told I was the one holding me back.

I’ve been so very fortunate to travel abroad and have seen so many great pieces of art in the Louvre, Victoria and Albert Museum, The National Gallery, The MET,  Art Institute of Chicago (where I saw my first Monet…yup, I cried!), Musee d’Orsay,  AGO,  and Accademia Gallery. I have been so privileged.

So… I got to thinking about my passion for art…my desire to paint my own Monet inspired piece! I wanted to express myself artistically and perhaps give back to my community along the way.

I invited a few neighbours over for a paint night. My neighbours came just to humour me. They lamented. “I hate painting!” “I can’t paint!” It’s amazing what a little bit of encouragement and a lot of wine can do!!! We had so much fun! Right there and then I fell back in love with art and painting. My neighbours had a great time and proudly display their pieces of art in their houses.

I now hold Art Cafés at my church – Melville United Church, Ivan, ON. People sign up and create a piece of art and  learn about the media  and techniques along the way.

I invite you to come out for one of our Art Cafés too!

Check out the Art Café Facebook page…Like…Follow…See what we are up to next!

I also paint on my own time. Over the last year, I have learned how to paint in a realistic style. Check out a few of my newest paintings. Let me know what you think!

Janice