| Art, music and dogs are the three passions of my life – other than my husband! Even though I have drawn from the time I was old enough to hold a pencil, music took center stage for most of my adult life when I worked as a professional harpist in Washington, D.C. The National Gallery of Art often hired me to play for their events, where one of my favorite experiences was playing next to The Kiss during the Rodin Exhibit. What a thrilling experience! In the summer of 1999, I felt compelled to explore and focus on the visual arts and enrolled in a workshop at the Corcoran School of Art. There, I was introduced to the wonderful worlds of pencil, pastels, conte, liquid medium and charcoal. My passion for art was rekindled. We moved to our personal paradise in the mountains between Whitehall and Butte, Montana in July of 2001. Our house (and my studio) sits on a ridge just east of the Continental Divide and faces the magnificent Highland Mountains. Highland Blue and Solitude depict my front yard. How could anyone live here and not be inspired to create? Mostly self-taught, I’ve been privileged to take workshops and classes at The Corcoran School of Art, Montana State University and with artists Robert Bateman and Julie Chapman. My inspiration comes from nature – the twists and curves of an ancient tree, the soft feathers on a mountain bluebird’s belly, the power and grace of a mountain lion, the eyes of my dogs. I want to “capture” the soul of the animal, the majesty of the landscape, and the beauty in everyday objects. I love working in a variety of mediums – pen, ink, charcoal, graphite, colored pencil, pastel, watercolor, acrylics and oils. In addition, I enjoy working in clay and stone. — Janice Gernhart Bogy |