Jan Smith

I've known Jan since the first visit to Jersey over 20 years ago, and like the others she has become a close friend. She is a very talented artist who for some strange reason always felt her work was never as good as other artists who did the craft circuit. Her work is different as she paints beautifully in miniature on fossils or agate, so she thinks it does not stand out against the large oils of other wildlife artists. But the difference that sets her apart is her skill and vision as she portrays a leopard with its cubs in such detail, ensuring the finished artwork complements the particular piece of stone she has selected.

Her stand is an amalgamation of woods and supports that require the skills of a coal miner in order to keep a seam open. It has to be that way in order to support the heavy stones she uses, but she has to start an exhibition 3 days before the rest of us, and I'm normally home in bed by the time she has dismantled it. I've become so used to watching her set up the stand using a team of labourers and a low level crane that it doesn't worry me now, although the chain saw scares me stiff when it starts up.

When we were in Jersey it was always around the time of her birthday and she would get Workmates and electric drills as presents. We used to all go clubbing and dancing in the early days but the last time we were in Jersey we spent the evenings being taught by Jan the art of 'shirt folding' Japanese style. As I said we knew how to live on the wild side.

Although I am tone deaf I will always break out into song, ( at this moment in my art classes I can't get 'Avenues and Alleyways' by Tony Christie out of my head, much to the dismay of my students.) and one particular year in Jersey I spent all week singing the opening line of ' You must remember this'.

There was a busker with an accordian who would sit outside the exhibition every night playing for coins as we and customers left the fair. One night as we left Annie, Jan and the others had paid him to play the 'in tune' version of the song for me. I still think I sang it better and it has become a reminder of great shows and friends. Jan, like the others, was an integral part of our group and I wish her and Mal all the best wishes and a great future in Spain where they have now gone to live.

Published: 26th May 2006   |   Back to Watercolour Memories.

Previous: Annie Stines

Next: It's no joke