Janine Parsons is a South Australian artist who expresses her deep love of nature in her richly detailed pastel landscapes. The unusual degree of realism she captures in this dusty medium frequently leads to the remark "They're photos ..... aren't they?" as close inspection breaks the illusion and reveals their drawing origin.
Janine has been fascinated by landscape painting since childhood despite growing up in suburban Adelaide. She has resided in country South Australia permanently since 1974.
A full time artist since 1995, she prepared for this challenging career by studying at the South Australian School of Art and Torrens College of Advanced Education for four years. This was followed by a twenty year career teaching art in country high schools. Extensive overseas travel introduced her to the great cultural sites and significant art works of Asia, Europe and North America. During this period she continued to paint large canvases of bush scenes and fantasy water studies. She also sculpted abstract organic forms in wood and stone and undertook study in calligraphy.
Janine's insistance on approaching landscapes as portraits requires travelling to far flung places. Here she can examine nature's unspoilt scenes in minute detail while waiting for the light which inspires her drawings. She enjoys meeting a wide range of people on the site and at many exhibitions. Their positive responses to her work are both informative and encouraging and balance the long studio hours spent alone.
Janine exhibits regularly in a variety of South Australian city and counrty art shows for the broadest connection with her chosen audience. Her teaching skills are now occasionally exercised in conducting workshops, presentations and lessons. Mural painting and calligraphy are her other pursuits.
Commissions are an important aspect of Janine's work, providing an interesting channel of communication between client and artist. Despite frequent requests, Janine is unwilling to copy works already sold, but is able to present variations within a series for a client's consideration. This stance ensures all her works are unique visual statements.
Her work is represented in private Australian and overseas art collections.