J.Chandler Artistry

Showcasing Janelle Chandler's Botanical Paintings and Illustrations.

About Me

My Background

For as long as I can remember I have loved the outdoors and Art, creating all kinds of things.

As a little girl I was always drawing and would beg my parents for the coloring books that had tracing paper between the sheets so I could draw the pages too.

I often found myself copying other images and drawings, studying the shapes and interactions between colors, and light.

In middle school I was selected to take TAG (talented and gifted) art classes and I discovered my love of painting. It is in this time I also found Cross Country running, being on the trails in nature helped to clear my often angsty mind and fulled my painting practices.

I continued to develop my skills and abilities in High School and had wanted to go onto Art School to become a teacher.

Life had other plans for me so I went out into the workforce and forgot all about Art. Hiking took place of Cross Country and a family eventually took the place of my art.

After many years, many life experiences, many classes and four beautiful daughters I returned to Art. In that time I had pursued to become a RN, Accountant, Nutritionist, Psychologist, and Early Childhood Educator, all of which did not make me feel fulfilled; something always felt like it was missing.

I decided to take an Art course, my intention was that I would use my old 'hobby' to refresh my mind, and help me decide my path. Fortunately for me I had an amazing teacher who saw something in me I had lost long ago. Recognizing my potential she encouraged me to take more Art courses and when the College wanted to kick me out for too many credits, she encouraged me to move onto my BA in Illustration.

I followed her suggestions and found my love for Botanical Art and have graduated with my BA in Illustration, and a minor in Photography.

With my husband and my family's support I have now completed my MFA in Illustration and have completed my Diploma in a course at the Society of Botanical Artists in the United Kingdom. I am fortunate enough to teach at a University, and can now happily combine my love for Botanicals, working on Art and Design projects, as well as Paintings and Illustrations everyday while being on the forefront of art education.

My Medium

I use many different mediums, such as graphite, colored pencil, fabric, watercolor, film, oil... I could go on endlessly. I believe that working in a single medium is restrictive to my artistic process.

I have had phases in each medium and even integrated them from time to time. I enjoy the experimentation process, finding what makes my heart sing. Each idea manifests in its own individual style.

Currently I am enjoying working in colored pencil and graphite for my botanical pieces, and have been experimenting with medium format cameras for Photography work.

My Inspiration

I have enjoyed the outdoors for as long as I can remember; earliest memories include hiking out to the creek with my Dad to play with water bugs and picking blackberries at the age of six. I was always outside finding something to get into.

As I grew I often found myself drawing things in nature, pine cones, leaves, etc. Painting landscapes, and eventually photographing all that there is in nature. I often enjoy hiking to find things that you don't see everyday, from angles or perspectives not always utilized.

From these experiences I have found that I often notice light patterns before anything else in my surroundings, and it is in that space I feel the most creativity and inspirations. Many of my pieces (if not all) are directly influenced by these hikes and wanderings outdoors. I thoroughly enjoy recreating plants and wildlife with great accuracy and precision in my work.