Day 21/100: Jane Love Elliott and Marie Wheeler
Encouraging Two Painters Who Are Committed to Their Evolving Craft
Today, I am celebrating Jane Love Elliott and Marie Wheeler, two artists who are spending more time these days with their artistic passions, committed to learning, growing, and evolving as painters.
I’m thrilled that they will be joining me in the online show, Square Foot Show: In Bloom with Debbie Miller & Friends, that starts on March 30, 2022.
Jane Love Elliott
Canada-born artist Jane Love Elliott splits her time between the Toronto area and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Jane grew up intrigued by the innate natural beauty of her surroundings, especially Canadian botanicals. She explored this fascination through many creative outlets. She was one of those kids who was happy to draw, paint and color for hours.
Eventually her childhood artistic passion led her to watercolors, a medium she has loved for over 30 years. She has developed a unique, sophisticated, and detailed method of painting in watercolors and in oils.
In the last 5 years, Jane has found more time for painting, working from her second-story studio in Dubai, with sunlight and ocean sounds as her companions, or tucked under a tree-swept canopy at her secluded family dwelling in Ontario’s cottage country. These inspiring locations spur her to reconnect with her inner child-like passions.
Jane values exploring relationships — between colors and between people and their botanical environment. As a self-taught artist, she is committed to her craft, intentionally ensuring that each stroke has a purpose. And, as a lifelong learner, she is always interested in the creative process and the possibility of bringing others along on this fun and inspiring art journey.
Marie Wheeler
Marie Wheeler was born and raised in Michigan. She got married at 17 and lived with her husband and their kids in Texas, California, and Pennsylvania, before retiring to Georgia. Each of these locations holds natural beauty that inspired her and stirred her lifelong desire to paint.
But – like many would-be creatives – Marie was a victim of the “Talent Myth.” She thought that you had to be specially gifted or possess an innate talent to be an artist. Even though she would periodically take classes in various painting techniques — and even sold some of her work — creative insecurity would eventually stall her.
After some health challenges, she discovered that the act of painting was healing – especially using larger brushes and making loose marks with lots of paint. Though she had read about the idea of daily painting, the premise — that daily discipline is the secret to developing technical skill — somehow eluded her.
But in 2020, she embraced a daily painting practice, and she finally got it — there was no magical fairy who would wave a wand and suddenly give her permission to be an artist. Making art is what makes you an artist. And, she already was one!
Brian and I were lucky enough to have Marie as a student in our online Habit-Forming Flowers class, and it has been a thrill to watch her body of work and her creative confidence blossom!
Today, Marie paints primarily in acrylics, and she’s committed to the ongoing process of honing her skills. She knows that her artwork will continue to evolve – and she can’t wait to see what might be next. (And neither can I!)
How You Can Be an Encouragement
Please check out Jane and Marie’s work on social media, follow them, and send them notes of encouragement today.
Also, you can purchase some of their floral work at great prices at the Square Foot Show: In Bloom with Debbie Miller and Friends, starting March 30, 2022 through April 1, 2022.
Jane Love Elliott:
On Instagram: @janeloveelliottart
Website: www.janeloveelliottart.com
Marie Wheeler:
On Instagram: @mariewheelerart
Website: www.artbymariewheeler.com