About the Artist

Van Wyk's bold and energetic brushstrokes show the emotion she experiences while viewing or remembering the unique light, color, and even temperature of a location. She paints both on location and in her studio -- painting in the alla prima style and usually finishing the painting in one session. Several times a year, Van Wyk travels to a variety of locations in search of inspiration and only paints subject matter that she has personally seen, experienced, and photographed.  She has visited over 30 of America's National Parks, Monuments, and Seashores. She is a founding member of the High Desert Painters, a professional plein air painters group that travels and exhibits together.

Artist Statement
Experiencing and studying our American landscape provides me with endless inspiration. It could be the light that captures my interest, or the shadows or color. I am energized by experiencing and embracing these physical elements, and during the painting process this passion is transfered to my version of the truth on canvas. I like to start and finish each painting in one session, so each painting session is like an animated conversation where I tell you what I am feeling.  Will you listen?  Can you hear me? 

Biography 
Van Wyk's drive and enthusiasm propels her into serious study of oil painting, both plein air and studio work. She loves to balance her creative and innovative character with her logical and technical expertise. A professional painter, and a 28-year veteran of the technology industry, Jana Van Wyk holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Calvin College and a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Raised in both the West and Midwest, she lives in Cary, North Carolina with her husband and son. A descendent of Montana ranchers who immigrated from Holland in 1915, she travels extensively, primarily in the American West and Southwest. 

Selected Exhibitions
2010 - "Ignite/Extinquish", artSPARK Gallery 2010, Raleigh, NC, juried by Exhibitions Director
2010 - "A Russian Night in Taos", Taos Art Museum and Fechin House, Taos, NM, juried by museum Board of Directors
2010 - solo show of 14 paintings: "Enduring Beauty: Landscapes of Northern New Mexico", sponsored by Visual Art Exchange at Cameron Village Library, Raleigh, NC, juried by Visual Art Exchange Exhibitions Director
2010 - "Raleigh en Plein Air", Raleigh City Museum, Raleigh, NC, juried by Ladye Anne Vickers, Museum Curator

2009 - "Someplace Like Home", Raleigh Convention Center, Raleigh, NC, Junior League of Raleigh and Visual Art Exchange, juried by Adam Cave, Nicole Kennedy, Melissa Peden
2009 - "High on Taos: Plein Air Painters of New Mexico Paint Out and Show", Wilder-Nightingale Gallery, Taos, NC, awards by Ray Vinella
2009 - “A Sale for the Season”, Visual Art Exchange Association and Gallery, Raleigh, NC

2008 - "Local Color: Local Color Gallery Paint Out and Show", Local Color Gallery, Raleigh, NC
2008 - "High Desert 2008", High Desert Painters, online show, curated by Ann Templeton
2008 - "New Beginnings", Grace Christian School, Raleigh, NC, juried by Fine Art Department - First Place

2007 - "Five", Page-Walker Arts & History Center, Cary, NC, PAQA-South, curated by Lyric Kinard

2006 - "Images",  Page-Walker Arts & History Center, Cary, NC, PAQA-South, juried by Hollis Chatelain (year-long travelling exhibit - Cary, NC; Cincinatti, OH; Golden, CO; Schaumburg, IL, Harrisburg, PA; Santa Clara, CA)
2006 - "Visual Voice: Transforming Silence”, Cintas Center, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH, curated by Keisha Roberts 

2004 - "Dancing with God", Chapel Hill Bible Church, Chapel Hill, NC, curated by Cyndi Whisnant

2003 - "Living Waters", Chapel Hill Bible Church, Chapel Hill, NC, curated by Cyndi Whisnant

Bodies of Work

Landscapes of Northern New Mexico - includes New Mexico landscapes from the areas of Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu, Chama River, Taos, Espanola, Chimayo, Placitas, Truchas, Pilar, Rio Grande Gorge, Ranchos de Taos, Talpa, and Santa Fe

Landscapes of the American West - includes Jackson, WY area, southern Utah, northern Arizona, central Colorado, Montana, central California, Rocky Mountain National Park, Zion National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park, Yosemite National Park, Mount Ranier National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park

Landscapes of North Carolina - marsh and coastal scenes, and skyscapes

Education
Daily self-study of masters using books, internet and museums,
Extensive travel, photography and painting on location
2004-2010 - 10 workshops and professional mentoring with Ann Templeton
Workshops with: Camille Przewodek, Kim English
Master of Science in Computer Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI

Professional Memberships
High Desert Painters, Founding Member of landscape painting group established in 2004
Visual Art Exchange, Raleigh, North Carolina, Exhibiting Artist
American Impressionist Society,  Associate Member 
Oil Painters of America, Associate Member
Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters Association, Annapolis, MD, Member
Plein Air Painters of New Mexico, Artist Member