JANAS R SMITH DURKEE
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ABOUT 

I love to paint.  I usually am working on some sort of series like people, animals in odd places, narrative works.  I paint what I observe, and then put a little twist on it for fun because I like my work to inspire a story. 
To me, stories equal beauty.  I am inspired by experiences told by those who lived them equally to the ones I make up in my own head.  I have to admit, I am highly entertained while painting.

I was born and raised on a small farm in rural Indiana where we were all expected to help with chores and also to show kindness and love to the animals.  Respect was a given- especially the respect for our family members and friends. I was observant.

Since my simple childhood, I have lived in several places, from the midwest, to the Pacific Northwest to California and now Orlando, Florida. I find it wonderful. Beyond the Mouse's shadow, Orlando is an inspiring place for the arts.  The stories here are more than magical.

I grew up amidst great story-tellers, so when I paint, I'm looking for what my subject wants me to hear whether it's in their voice, or in their look. Sometimes, it seems as though I am back to my childhood sitting at the foot of my grandpa's chair listening to stories of the foothills of the Appalachians. Sometimes, it's like having a glass of wine with an old friend.  Sometimes, I draw from the inner comic book writer and just make up something fun!

I’d love to hear from you. Your story is interesting to me.


Picture
photo by David Lawrence 2023

Shows

2023
  • Spring Open House, McRae Studios
  • Spring Open House, McRae Studios
  • 8x10 Sale McRae Studios
  • Penrod Art Fair, Indianapolis, IN
2022
  • 1st Thursday, Orlando Museum of Art
  • Art in Bloom, Orlando Museum of Art
  • Square Foot Show, Online
  • Spring Open House, McRae Studios
  • McRae at Maxine's, Orlando, FL
  • Winter Park Autumn Art Festival, Winter Park, FL
2021
  • Fall Open House, McRae Studios
  • 8x10, McRae Studios Online
  • Orlando Sentinel, April 23
2020
  • Santa Cruz Sentinel, April 
  • Register Pajaronian, April

2019 
  • Santa Cruz County Building
  • Santa Cruz Art League Open Studios Preview Show
  • Arts Council Santa Cruz County Open Studios Art Tour
2018
  • Museum of Art & History, Santa Cruz, CA
  • Santa Cruz Art League Group Exhibit
  • SC41, Santa Cruz, CA
  • Santa Cruz Open Studios
2017
  • ​Health Solutions, Santa Cruz
  • Dr Elizabeth Quinn Chiropractic, Santa Cruz
  • Arts Council Santa Cruz County Group Exhibit, Santa Cruz
  • Masters of Santa Cruz American Gothic Show, Stockwell Cellars, Santa Cruz
  • Santa Cruz Open Studios
2016               
  • Santa Cruz Open Studios
  • ​Art League of Santa Cruz, Open Studios Artist
2015               
  • Arts Council Santa Cruz County Group Exhibit, Santa Cruz, CA
  • Bank of the Arts Show, Craven Art Center, New Bern, NC
  • “All That Glitters”, California Art League, The Blinn House, Pasadena, CA
2014               
  • “Summers Past”, California Art League, The Blinn House, Pasadena, CA
2010               
  • Open 2D Show, Corvallis, OR
2009               
  • STUDIO Program Artists, Pleasant Hill, OR
2008               
  • Janas Durkee: Storyteller, Register Guard, Eugene, OR
2007               
  • Creative Renewal Fellow Solo Exhibition, Midland Arts Building, Indianapolis, IN
2007               
  • Creative Renewal Fellow Group Exhibit, Circle Center Mall, Indianapolis, IN
2006               
  • Eugene Artists Show, Eugene Airport, Eugene, OR
2003               
  • Solo Show, Dorman Street, Indianapolis, IN
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Awards

2015               
  • Honorable Mention, “All That Glitters”, California Art League, The Blinn House, Pasadena, CA
​​2010               
  • Mayor’s Award, Open 2D Show, Corvallis, OR
2005               
  • Creative Renewal Fellow, Indianapolis Arts Council & The Eli Lilly Foundation
Picture
Photo Credit:  Tarmo Hannula 2015

Collections

Columbus, IN; Carmel, IN; Santa Cruz, CA; Richmond, IN; Minneapolis, MN; Port St. Lucie, FL; Ukiah, CA; Eugene, OR; Richmond, IN; Goodwill Industries Sacramento, CA; Tucson, AZ; Twin Oaks School District Eugene, OR; Los Angeles, CA; Boston, MA; Indianapolis, IN, Chicago, IL; Noblesville, IN; Carmel, IN; Miami, FL; Brooklyn, NY; Nashville, TN; Zionsville, IN; Dayton, OH; Palm City, FL; Chicago, IL; Sarasota, FL; Indianapolis Raceway Race Car Artist; Indianapolis Downtown Inc. Logo Artist for Wholesale Cultural District;Louisville, KY;  Houston, TX; Culver, IN, Sacramento, CA, SAn Francisco, CA; Connecticut; Charleston, SC, Aptos, CA; La Selva Beach, CA; Monterey, CA; Watsonville, CA, Palo Alto, CA ; San Diego, CA; Louisville, KY
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