Janette Carmichael shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Janette, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Thank you, I’m happy to share. I like to head out with my camera first thing in the morning to look for wildlife. Being in nature is a calming way to start the day and it’s what inspires all of my work, not to mention it’s nice to get the blood pumping before a long day of sitting at the drawing desk. Most daylight hours are spent drawing or editing my wildlife photos and planning new pieces, but I also have a dog and two horses that keep me busy. Since my work requires a lot of focus, I try to spread out my time spent outside in order to give my eyes a break, which also allows me to come back to the studio with a fresh perspective throughout the day.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Janette Carmichael, the artist behind JC Fine Art. Formerly a pet portrait artist, my drawings are now centred around wildlife, specifically the wildlife I come across here in rural British Columbia. There is an indescribable feeling that comes with being in nature and observing wildlife when nobody else is around; I try to portray that feeling through my art. Every drawing starts with a personal encounter and is based off my own reference images taken from that experience. I work in a highly detailed, hyperrealistic style, so as to represent the animals as true to form as possible. Right now, I’m working on pieces at a larger scale than I’m used to, in hopes of really grabbing the viewers attention and almost forcing people to see the beauty that I see in these incredible beings. We all have busy lives so I strive to create something that makes others slow down to take it in.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Growing up, I had a pretty carefree childhood in a quiet town, with a lot of space to roam and develop an increasing appreciation for nature. My hometown, once described as “The McDonalds between Vancouver and Whistler”, became a huge tourist destination, and that feeling I had as a child rapidly changed. It wasn’t until my husband and I made the move to a rural mountain town, that I realized how disconnected I had become to nature. We become so normalized to the fast pace of city life and a “living to work” frame of mind. Moving away from that environment changed my entire perspective on what it means to live a good life, to live it for ourselves and not for what the world expects of us.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There have been several times where I’ve thought about giving up; being a creative isn’t an easy way to make a living. Sometimes I think it would be easier to change careers in order to have a more reliable income, but I’d be giving up so much of what makes me happy and I’ve come such a long way from where this all began. At times when I’m feeling the struggle, I look back at my accomplishments for the year and that reminder is all it takes to lift my spirits and keep going. This year I had my first ever solo exhibition and became a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, so despite setbacks, I have a lot to be proud of and it’s important to recognize that.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Something I try to live by is simply treating others, both people and animals, with kindness and respect. There’s a lot of senseless hatred in the world and I really struggle to understand the overall treatment of animals, both wild and domestic, whether it’s trophy hunting or horrible living conditions for farm animals. I’d love to be able to get through to at least some of those people and have them see how incredible animals are, that they are deserving of a good life too. One way I hope to do that, is to create the best quality artwork I possibly can, striving to become better at my craft, and use it as a way to encourage others to take an interest in wildlife.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
Being in nature is definitely when I am most at peace, drawing follows close behind. There’s absolutely no better feeling than sitting silently, alone, waiting for a wild animal to show up and to observe it in its natural environment, whether it’s a grizzly bear or a bird. That type of connection to nature freezes you in the moment and doesn’t allow for any worries to enter the mind. It’s difficult to describe, but nothing else seems important in those moments where I truly feel like I’m part of the natural world, accepted by the creatures around me who are just out there trying to survive.
Drawing from those experiences allows me to relive those moments, and the slow process of working with coloured pencils is very meditative to me. Somewhere in my work, I hope that feeling comes through to others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jcfineart.ca/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jc_fineart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562386946903
Image Credits
All photos are my own.
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