About Jan Lowe

 As a young child I was always drawing and had a fascination of creatures and the way they moved.  To have a full understanding of movement I also learned the bone structure of our farm animals and any other little native creatures – and used to watch them for many hours whilst being cared for by my father and thank my dad for those formative years.  We lived in a remote part of the world – the only transport was either walking or with the assistance of our wonderful horses.   When I look back, I would not change anything, it was a hard life – but for a little kid – it was a world of wonder!  The learning it gave me and my siblings which was a great appreciate of this wonderful world and what it offers everyone, the land – its beauty and the ocean – its power.  Well the classroom was long hours and hard work from 7.30 to 4, it did prepare me for intense education expected at university and as an adult I appreciated the study and still have a love affair with books.  OK the computer gives you information at a click – but in my mind, nothing is better than reading book curled up in an armchair on a cold winter’s day!

My love was to draw and started drawing as a little girl. Farm animals, wild creatures including birds and insects, the wonderful mountains, stormy seas and skies offering fantastic scenery and colourful people made drawing a pleasure! As I spent my early years with animals, it was very natural to draw them. My favourite being the horse, their form and gracious movement, an inspiration to draw! I travel internationally and nationally for work and pleasure and during these travels have been fortunate to have visited some amazing places. This has taken me throughout the US, Canada, UK, Europe and Africa, parts of the Middle East and S East Asia.  I have witnessed the diversity and variety for painting/drawing of so many brilliant subjects such as old buildings in Europe, the richness of the people and their special stories etched on their faces and the incredible animals, the unbelievable scenery of the US, Canada and Africa including the remoteness of Australia one just has to draw!

I am a member of the Australian Guild of Realist Artists (AGRA), as Councillor and as the Editor of the bi-monthly art magazine “Hues”!  Being a member of AGRA has broadened my confidence, learning and enjoyment.  As the Editor for AGRA, I am having a great time working with artists some renowned and others like me - learning and working hard to become a professional artist. 

I live in the lovely city of Camberwell, Victoria Australia and have lived here for nearly 30 years; I share my life with my husband Bob (Engineer) and his passion is Historic Racing as driver and collector and we also share our lives with a little black Persian called Buddie.  In 2010 my family increased with a 14.5 year old girl (Jes) who came to live with us to further her education and for more family support.   It is good having a young person in the house again, so running my own company has been put aside, but my painting has increased!   As we get older life does present you with some difficulties especially with passing of family and close friends I found painting a distraction from reality, as the journey can be comforting, art also offers solace - the richness of scenery, nature and people, step into a painting and you will find this special place! 

I have always believed that art expression is a continual learning journey - something new each day assisted by attending demonstrations & workshops.   Because my art classroom has been through the written words of painters such as Robert Wade, have marvelled at the talents of Robert Bateman, Frederic Remington and Charles Russell works and the brilliant and effortless style of the talented Harley Brown; as well as so many, many others.

Activities:

July 2007 first solo exhibition,
July 2008  joint exhibition
July 2009 third exhibition, second solo
Joint exhibition in 2010