Janet Utley Wimmer
(540) 977-1681
janet.wimmer@gmail.com
janetwimmer.blogspot.com
EDUCATION:
Hollins University, MALS, emphasis in Studio Art, May 1997. GPA 4.0
University of Richmond, BA, Studio Art, May 1972.
EXPERIENCE:
2008-present Private instruction for teens and adults in my home
1999-2008 Art teacher, Faith Christian School (K-12)
2001-2003 Adjunct professor, Art History, Virginia Western Community College
1998-1999 Art teacher, Community School
1984-1998 Art teacher, Roanoke Valley Christian Schools (K-12)
1995-1998 Art teacher, Art Museum of Western Virginia, Art Venture
1986-1988 Art teacher, Gifted Program, Roanoke County Schools
1973-1981 Art teacher, Roanoke County Schools
PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT:
2007 Market Square Gallery classes with Ann Glover
2007, 2006 Jerry’s Art of the Carolinas, Raleigh Conference with Caroline Jasper,
Timothy Tyler, Bob Burridge
2006 SCAD-Atlanta workshop for AP teachers
2006 EF International trip sponsor “Rome to Athens”
2005 Columbia College – Chicago workshop for AP teachers
2001, 1995 EF International trip sponsor “Tour of Italy”
1995 Regional Art Festival Chairman, ACSI
1995, 1996 Summer Institute for Virginia Educators, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts,
Richmond, Va.
1990 Ferrum College workshop with Tony Couch
1988-89 Advisory Council for Gifted Education, Roanoke County
1980-1990 League of Roanoke Artists, Treasurer, 85-86
1985 Watercolor classes with Ed Bordett
EXHIBITED PAINTINGS:
Festival in the Park, Fincastle, Franklin County, Showcase of the Arts, Lewis Gale Hospital, Roanoke County Library, Graphics Etc.Galleries Ltd., FrameScapes, Virginia Western Community College (permanent collection); currently showing at Center in the Square Gallery, first floor, One Market Square, downtown Roanoke.
ARTIST STATEMENT:
We live in a world marred by ugliness and evil; painting goodness is my way of transcending from the ugly to the beautiful. Michelangelo said, “The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection”. I think of my paintings as shadows of a higher reality. Living near the Blue Ridge Parkway, I am always awed by the incredible beauty of nature. There is no way to really reproduce the colors of a rainbow or the ethereal movement of clouds but my soul wants to try because of the longing to capture and experience truth, goodness and beauty.
Hopefully, my paintings will encourage and uplift those who view them. Many times people are too busy to really see the beauty that is around them. Our hurried life prohibits us from seeing the calmness of a sunset or feeling the comfort of a cool breeze. I want to transport the viewers to a place up on the mountains, or under a tree or to my front porch so that they can take a deep breath and recover from the stress of our world.
Painting is therapeutic for me and I teach painting as a therapy for others. The process is relaxing and training the eye to “see” brings appreciation of whatever is around us.
Training my eye in color theory has been fascinating to me as a student and a teacher over the years. Color value, color intensity and color temperature create space and distance in painting as much or more than linear and aerial perspective. I have experimented with different colors and color grounds; I have soaked up instruction by experienced “plein air” teachers; and I have realized that my first priority is to just train my hand to reproduce what my eye sees. By turning photographs upside down, I have been able to see more clearly the elements of art without becoming distracted with the image. However, in addition to increased visual perception, I have enjoyed learning the rules of composition; I enjoy taking a sky from the beach and painting it over the mountains. Sometimes I cut photographs up and re-compose before painting. But in the end, the success of a painting falls on a connection with the viewer. If there is a “story”, a memory, an emotional response in the mind or spirit of the viewer, then my work has communicated to the viewer a sense of the truth, goodness and beauty for which I am searching. This transcending adventure defines me as a person; hopefully as I continue to refine my skills, it will define my art.
(540) 977-1681
janet.wimmer@gmail.com
janetwimmer.blogspot.com
EDUCATION:
Hollins University, MALS, emphasis in Studio Art, May 1997. GPA 4.0
University of Richmond, BA, Studio Art, May 1972.
EXPERIENCE:
2008-present Private instruction for teens and adults in my home
1999-2008 Art teacher, Faith Christian School (K-12)
2001-2003 Adjunct professor, Art History, Virginia Western Community College
1998-1999 Art teacher, Community School
1984-1998 Art teacher, Roanoke Valley Christian Schools (K-12)
1995-1998 Art teacher, Art Museum of Western Virginia, Art Venture
1986-1988 Art teacher, Gifted Program, Roanoke County Schools
1973-1981 Art teacher, Roanoke County Schools
PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT:
2007 Market Square Gallery classes with Ann Glover
2007, 2006 Jerry’s Art of the Carolinas, Raleigh Conference with Caroline Jasper,
Timothy Tyler, Bob Burridge
2006 SCAD-Atlanta workshop for AP teachers
2006 EF International trip sponsor “Rome to Athens”
2005 Columbia College – Chicago workshop for AP teachers
2001, 1995 EF International trip sponsor “Tour of Italy”
1995 Regional Art Festival Chairman, ACSI
1995, 1996 Summer Institute for Virginia Educators, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts,
Richmond, Va.
1990 Ferrum College workshop with Tony Couch
1988-89 Advisory Council for Gifted Education, Roanoke County
1980-1990 League of Roanoke Artists, Treasurer, 85-86
1985 Watercolor classes with Ed Bordett
EXHIBITED PAINTINGS:
Festival in the Park, Fincastle, Franklin County, Showcase of the Arts, Lewis Gale Hospital, Roanoke County Library, Graphics Etc.Galleries Ltd., FrameScapes, Virginia Western Community College (permanent collection); currently showing at Center in the Square Gallery, first floor, One Market Square, downtown Roanoke.
ARTIST STATEMENT:
We live in a world marred by ugliness and evil; painting goodness is my way of transcending from the ugly to the beautiful. Michelangelo said, “The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection”. I think of my paintings as shadows of a higher reality. Living near the Blue Ridge Parkway, I am always awed by the incredible beauty of nature. There is no way to really reproduce the colors of a rainbow or the ethereal movement of clouds but my soul wants to try because of the longing to capture and experience truth, goodness and beauty.
Hopefully, my paintings will encourage and uplift those who view them. Many times people are too busy to really see the beauty that is around them. Our hurried life prohibits us from seeing the calmness of a sunset or feeling the comfort of a cool breeze. I want to transport the viewers to a place up on the mountains, or under a tree or to my front porch so that they can take a deep breath and recover from the stress of our world.
Painting is therapeutic for me and I teach painting as a therapy for others. The process is relaxing and training the eye to “see” brings appreciation of whatever is around us.
Training my eye in color theory has been fascinating to me as a student and a teacher over the years. Color value, color intensity and color temperature create space and distance in painting as much or more than linear and aerial perspective. I have experimented with different colors and color grounds; I have soaked up instruction by experienced “plein air” teachers; and I have realized that my first priority is to just train my hand to reproduce what my eye sees. By turning photographs upside down, I have been able to see more clearly the elements of art without becoming distracted with the image. However, in addition to increased visual perception, I have enjoyed learning the rules of composition; I enjoy taking a sky from the beach and painting it over the mountains. Sometimes I cut photographs up and re-compose before painting. But in the end, the success of a painting falls on a connection with the viewer. If there is a “story”, a memory, an emotional response in the mind or spirit of the viewer, then my work has communicated to the viewer a sense of the truth, goodness and beauty for which I am searching. This transcending adventure defines me as a person; hopefully as I continue to refine my skills, it will define my art.
