Today we’d like to introduce you to Jan Pomeroy.
Jan, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I have been doing art for a long time-30+ years and remember as a young teenager that being an artist was what I wanted to be. I had an art teacher in 9th grade that was very inspiring to me-Mr Rooney-when I lived in Des Moines Iowa. So that was the start of my art journey. I have studied under various artists to learn sculpture, Cloisonne’ enameling, fiber art techniques and mixed media techniques. So, I have experimented with many mediums in art. So, for the last five years or so I have been in my mixed media phase.
It is a God-given gift that I use to bless others with. I use prayer and meditation to get inspiration from God to guide and direct me as I embark on each creative journey with each painting-down to the naming of the piece-and that it would go to just the right person! This year, I was able to start an arts non-profit called Kairos Creative Arts Center. After receiving a vision about this in 2012 and praying and writing down ideas about this for six years it has come to fruition. It is a God centered arts resource that provides artists with studio, exhibition, and classroom space. We also have several exhibitions and the First Friday open studios that the community is invited to. Kairos also provides an art program to Orchard Park of Kyle, TX to the memory care residents.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
For me creating art is something I have to do. I feel we all need more beauty in our lives so that is part of it for me-to create beauty for people to be inspired by. Something that speaks to a person to give them peace and calm in their lives in a world that is so busy running here and there with crazy schedules and deadlines. So, when they get home to their sanctuary it should be a place of rest and calm and inspiration. I love to create pieces that would do that to a space. Using non-traditional materials like texture paste, metallic paints with patina, art papers, ink, acrylic paints, foil, found objects and more. I put together mixed media creations on gallery wrapped canvases that are God inspired abstracts & representational paintings with a sense of mystery. Rich colors and metallics and textures are incorporated into these paintings. “It is an amazing thing to produce a painting that someone is drawn to and has a deep emotional response to it. Art brings life to people that they may never encounter otherwise. Art is healing on many levels-spiritual, emotional, physical.”
Do you think conditions are generally improving for artists? What more can cities and communities do to improve conditions for artists?
This year is the first year I have rented a studio space-which is very expensive so I share it with other artists. It is hard to find the support and get in front of the right collectors, art buyers to really make a decent living from my art. Finding the right shows that are profitable for artists-that get good people traffic is challenging as well. I think it is harder for artists today because of the competition and so many more art shows to pick from.
Having incentives for landlords not to raise rent would be great-mine has been raised already after being only there for six months. I do work a part time job to make ends meet but it is always my prayer that someday I will be only doing my art and arts non-profit and make a decent living from that.
Cities like Austin do offer the East and West Studio Tours which does give an artist a chance to show their art and get more exposure. The city of Austin did offer an artist marketing/business series of classes-Artists Inc-I believe it was called, but do not offer that any more-but something like that is so beneficial for artists-it needs to be offered again.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
They can come to my studio located in the Thornton Road Studio complex-2311 Thornton Road Studio Q Austin, TX 78704. They can come to various art shows I have in Texas. I do have a website they can check out my art shows and work there as well: www.janpomeroy.com. I do commission work and if they want to purchase one of my paintings, they can contact me at jpomeroyart@gmail.com. My non-profit website is: www.kairoscreativearts.org
Contact Info:
- Address: Studio address: 2311 Thornton Rd Studio Q Austin, TX 78744
Mailing address: 4809 Misty Slope Lane, Austin, TX 78744 - Website: http://www.
janpomeroy.com/ - Phone: 505-920-4780
- Email: jpomeroyart@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/jpomeroyart/ - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/MesaImages/
Image Credit:
Jan Pomeroy
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