Usually when people meet me for the first time, especially after having read something about me or having heard my name mentioned is: "Oh! You're a he!"

The first name is Dutch, which I am not. I merely had parents who wanted me to have the same initials as my sister, Joy Anne, and they didn't like John, so they went for the Dutch derivative and I became Jan (pronounce the J) Alan. So sister and I had the same initials - JAC. How astoundingly clever, eh? My last name derives from my father's French ancestry, where, somewhere in the clouds of history my paternal ancestors thought Claire was "better" than the previous Clair, which was better than the previous LaClair, which was better than the original LeClerc. Go figure.

Where I couldn't wow my friends with my grace and athleticism, I found I could still get a reaction by my art work especially when it came to those required drawings of petals, pistils, stamens, strange amphibia and other elements of science, physiology and biology classes.

As a very young child, I was always into drawing and was fascinated by color. I was given my first oil painting set at around age 8 but was more seriously turned on to painting at the age of 14 at Menlo-Atherton High School by a wry, witty and thoroughly professional art teacher named Daniel Umberger. He drew the caricature at left during my first year in his class. He encouraged his students to engage in all manner of art, including silk screening which is depicted in the caricature. I swear I never really printed money, but I do remember doing a large print of a quail and her brood which took 10 color runs, each through a hand-cut silk screen stencil. I remember how the X-acto knife I cut the stencils with almost became part of my body for 3 months!

Mr. Um, as he was called, encouraged me to continue my dabbling in oil painting, and for the next years he pushed me to see and experience all that painting had to offer. There were class field trips, after-school painting groups, guest teachers, and I was in heaven. Art is still my most pleasant memory of high school, and my report cards from that era seem to verify that!

In the mid '90s I studied with the popular painter, Helen Van Wyk at her studio in Rockport, Massachusetts. For the same reasons we settled in the highly scenic Sierra Nevada mountains, Helen and Herb had made Cape Ann their home. Her rhythmic painting style lent itself beautifully to seascapes, and yet there are the ubiquitous pines, and other east-coastal flora. It was the perfect setting for this wholly outgoing, selfless lady who is as well known for her lofty portraits hanging in the Harvard Medical Center of its officials through the years, as she is for her PBS television series, "Welcome To My Studio" and her beautiful still lifes and scenic works. Sadly, dear Helen passed away just before Christmas, 1994. Click here to visit my tribute to her.

And now we live in paint-smeared retirement near Yosemite in the pleasant little non-town of Oakhurst. (I say "non town" because it isn't incorporated, but who in the past Madera County offices could have known that one day Oakhurst would become a major artist colony, tourist destination, and the "last stop before Yosemite" for travelers needing supplies or to put in for the night.)

It is here that we met most of the artists, including "Yosemite's portraitist," Jane Gyer, who ultimately introduced us to all the other artists in the mountain area. She illustrated books for the National Parks Service, painted stunning, colorful watercolors, acrylics and oils of Yosemite's many treasured sights. She performed magic in all art media - nothing was off limits artistically to Janie. She didn't believe artists compete with each other. In fact, just the opposite, she felt artists were a family of special people and each artist was treated equally by her. A grand bunch of people all treasuring their association with the others, and making the most of the scenic wonders of the Yosemite area. There are galleries galore around these parts, and friendly artists in residence.

Jane passed away in June, 2004. It was sudden and unexpected. A few days afterward I was honored to have been asked to emcee a celebratory tribute to her, held in the community park in Oakhurst with all the major artists and community friends represented, as well as her children, grandchildren and loving husband, Jack. We told stories, sang, laughed and generally remembered the affable, loving "Janie". So many people, and so many good times.

The local High School named their arts building after Jack and Jane, too. Jack is still going strong at 93, and plays petanque on Saturday mornings with all of us, manages a load of art and community responsibilities, and is a popular, valued and positive influence on our community. Jane and Jack were founding members of our Petanque Club and at the club we have a beautiful, healthy Sequoia tree growing in Janie's memory. Our members call it the "Janie tree" and it isn't unusual that someone will walk over and give the branches of the tree a loving caress, and perhaps a few nice words to Janie. We never talk about her being gone. She is always in the present tense to anyone who knew her.

Click at any of the thumbnails at left to see paintings a bit larger. If you're an artist and have a website, so I can take a look at your web display.