About
"In my work, I want the viewer to feel a need to touch the canvas. The work beckons an intimacy with the viewer lending a subtle sense of familiarity. At the nucleus of each work is a source of energy that is generated from me and transitioned through the brush strokes and scrapings. If you were to peel away each layer of paint, you would see multiple transformations in the life of each painting. It is through this layering process that I create the foundation from which the figures and forms emerge. The imagery is driven by the strokes of the palette knife and the tools I use to cut across the canvas. The heavily textured surface represents strength…the circles are the continuity of life…the linear pattern is a reminder that all things connect. I call these etchings and scrapings ‘signatures’, a language that distinguishes one painting from another. The play of dark and light, and the use of color illustrate a sophisticated balance of strength and quiet dignity. The work offers a sense of permanence – the knowledge gained from experience; and fragility – the excitement of moving towards the unknown. "
Janet McGreal
Janet was born in Philadelphia and has lived in many cities including Atlanta, New Orleans, Dallas, and Chicago. She currently resides in San Francisco. She earned her BA at Loyola. In 2001, after fifteen successful years as an executive for several technology firms, and more recently a financial news organization, she decided to devote her full time and attention to her art.
She began developing her artistic expression at an early age through ballet and modern dance. She continued with studies in black and white photography focusing primarily on portraiture. As a painter, she creates expressive canvases with much attention to figure, form and surface.
Her figurative and abstract work explores the nuance of gestures and body language, and the juxtaposition of people to their environment. Each painting choreographs emotion and energy. There is a metamorphosis of bold strokes and subtle, melodic lines, using multiple layers of paint and scraping to reveal depths of expression.
Whether through canvas, darkroom or boardroom, her need to create motivates Janet to push her work to new and unexplored levels. Janet’s art is in numerous collections throughout the United States, and she has made guest appearances on local and national network programs.
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Bio
Born in Philadelphia
Raised in Louisiana
Lives and works in San Francisco and Atlanta
Selected Collections:
Bank Plus
Hilton Hotels
Mandarin Hotel Oriental
Amstel Hotel, Netherlands
NBC
Emeril LaGasse
The Brennans
Archie and Olivia Manning
Abby and Eli Manning
Ashley and Peyton Manning
Cristina Ferrare
Ann Walton Kroenke
Governor and Mrs. Arnold Schwarzengger
Oprah Winfrey
The Rolling Stones: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Ron Woods
Steve Johnson of Walton and Johnson
Irwin, Fritchie, Urquhart & Moore
Selected Publications:
Louisiana Homes and Gardens, October 2008
Louisiana Homes and Lifestyles
New Orleans Homes and Lifestyles , June 2007
Featured, Photo Living Magazine, May 2006
“Secrets of French Design” by Betty Lou Phillips
Exhibitions:
2009 "Dripping Southern" Guthrie Contempory, New Orleans
2007 New Paintings, Guthrie Contemporary, New Orleans
2007 Haute Culture, Vogue Magazine and J Mendel, Aspen
2006 Solo Show, Aspen Fine Art, Aspen
2006 HAG Gallery, Amsterdam
2005 Haute Culture, Vogue Magazine and J Mendel, New York
2005 Guthrie Contemporary, New Orleans
2005 Recent Work, Aspen Fine Art, Aspen
2004 Wereld Odyssey, Guthrie Contemporary, New Orleans
2004 Hazan Gallery, New York
2004 Aspen Fine Art, Aspen
2004 Guthrie Contemporary, New Orleans
2003 Evans Gallery, New Orleans
2003 Aspen Fine Art, Aspen
2003 Betty Anne Smith Gallery, Dallas
2003 Paradise, Los Angeles
2002 YPO Forum Selection
2002 Palm Night, Dallas
2002 Art for Art’s Sake, New Orleans
2002 Group Show, Evans Gallery, New Orleans
2001 Group Show, Evans Gallery, New Orleans
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