Janie Matthews Read

Meet Janie

From a very young age I was always drawing, painting or creating something, so it was a fluid progression that I should go on to Art and Design college.

I also went on to train and work as a florist and an interior designer.

My passion in design and as an artist has always been in the use of bold colour and large scale, which I believe holds a lot of therapeutic value for both the viewer and for me the artist.

My love of painting really took off on moving to the Canadian Rockies when my 2 boys were very young. I found my inspiration in the beauty of the continually moving landscape of the mountains according to the weather, time of day and the changing seasons. It acted like a charge to my creative battery juices, where I felt immersed in and connected to the wonderful nature that surrounded me.

My first born had some serious cognitive and health challenges, where upon I soon realised through a deep bout of depression, that my art was my therapy and was to be the road to my healing from the trauma. The art and I both served one another.

I soon came to realise that my art had the same impact on others where it was later requested that I show some pieces in Art spaces in hospices by way of art therapy, along with selling my works across the globe

Ive connected strongly with the resin work because it represents who I am. A free and fun spirit, with a strong yearning to flow in life and not to be boxed in to the conformities of what is deemed normal. I love to play, mixing the resin with acrylics, often alcohol inks and glitter, creating stunning effects where the art takes on a life of it's own.

The butterfly was created during lockdown. She was inspired by my strong feeling of wanting to be free, her chrysalis opening ready to flee from the craziness around me! Her soft teal tones represent the calling to speak out and be heard. The lilac more peaceful, gentle, connecting the voice to spirit. A much needed and wonderful balance especially during such challenging times.

The pink poppy was created as a funky, kind of pop art style, fun, crisp statement piece. The scale was freeing, the colours bold. Not limiting.

The yellow spring flower was about what was needed at that time...

Growth, bringing in the new, an opening and opportunity, hope for a better and brighter time ahead in the world.