scroll down for more information

"Beyond every curve in the road, every boulder on the trail, is a scene waiting to be painted. There is nothing more rewarding than interpreting the mystery that awaits me." Artist's Statement "I paint because I must. I may be so inspired by the way light strikes a particular scene for a brief moment in time that I simply need to paint it. I find painting on location (en plein air) to be the most honest and direct form of painting there is. I literally immerse myself in the scene. We become one for a while, sharing our secrets on canvas. I can feel the cool breeze, smell the salt air...while I gradually become aware that the tide has come in and the waves are trying to steal my easel. There is an urgency to capture the fleeting light and shadow patterns that make plein air painting so fascinating. (There can also be the need to complete the painting before the tide comes up.) ""Nothing sharpens an artist's skills like painting on location. A successful painting is like a symphony. All of the color notes should be harmonious with one another except for purposeful dissonance for contrast. Any fine tuning of a piece must be limited to leave space between the notes and allow the viewer the opportunity to relate to the painting in their own way. I want share the 'essence' of the scene. I moved to Hawaii because it is truly the most inspiring place I've ever painted. Hawaii is a land of contrasts and has the perfect balance of warm and cool colors. Blue waves turning to white foam as they crash into black lava." The diversity of people and cultures in the islands are intriguing and mysterious. When I paint on location I absorb more than I realize at the time and it restores my spirit. I also enjoy painting in very diverse environments like California, Arizona and Colorado. It keeps my eyes fresh and surprised by different pallets. Travelling also helps appease the gypsy in me."BiographyBorn in California, 19731997-2001 Studied at the School of Fine Art, NYJan has been painting all of her life. At the age of 20 she received a scholarship from the Laguna Beach School of Art while studying watercolor with Roger Armstrong. At that point she knew she would forever be cleaning paint from under her fingernails. She went on to receive a BA in Art from California State University at Chico where she studied with Ann Pierce, Sal Casa and Ken Morrow. She helped support herself in college by selling her paintings. By the time she graduated, Jan was represented by galleries in California, Alaska, Arizona and Hawaii. In 1998 Jan made the move from California to Hawaii. At this point she started working primarily in oils. Seeing a need to unite artists from the different Hawaiian Islands, in 2005 she founded the juried statewide outdoor painting group, Plein Air Painters of Hawaii. She is a Signature Member, Founder and President of Plein Air Painters of Hawaii which currently has over 125 members from Hawaii and the mainland. She has organized numerous Plein Air Exhibitions, 4 Annual Members Shows and over 10 Paint-out Shows on 5 different islands for Plein Air Painters of Hawaii. In August 2005, International Artist Magazine featured Bushart and Plein Air Painters of Hawaii in a 9 page article with Bushart on the cover. Bushart recently participated in the following shows: Islanders Maui Plein Air Invitational, 2006, 2008, 2010. Makawao 4th of July Invitational (From the Crater to the Sea) 2008 and 2009, Plein Air Painters of Hawaii Juried Members Shows 2005-2010 and The Great Makawao Paint-out, 2004-2007. She was the only Hawaii artist juried into the Estes Park Plein Air Competition and Show in 2009. Jan's paintings have recently received numerous awards at "The Great Makawao Paint-out", at Viewpoints Gallery and "Coastal Trees of Maui" competition at Lahaina Arts Society. In 2009 she received the Margaret Bedell Award at the 4th of July Makawao Invitational. She received the Artists Choice Award in the Second Annual PAPOH Juried Members Show. Her work is collected by Hollywood Studios Gallery who lease the paintings to the Hollywood film industry. They have supplied paintings in countless films such as "Million Dollar Baby ". Jan's paintings are in private and corporate collections around the world. Recent Exhibitions & Awards 2011, 2008, 2006 Maui Plein Air Invitational2009, 2008 Makawao Invitational2009 Estes Park Plein Air Juried Show2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 Plein Air Painters of Hawaii Juried Members Show, plus dozens of PAPOH events on 4 islands2009 - Founders Award: Makawao Invitational Artist's Choice: PAPOH 2nd AnnualSecond Place: Coastal Trees of Maui, Lahaina Arts SocietyGreat Makawao Paint-out AwardAugust 2005 - International Artist Magazine: Cover and Article
Upcoming Shows

2011 Colorado Summer Art Show Schedule*for more info on each show, click on the blue linksJuly 2-4: 28th Annual Breckenridge July Art Festival (Main Street Station on Park Ave.) July 23-24: 9th Annual Downtown Aspen Art Festival (Wagner Park / Mill & Durant Ave)July 29-31: 10th Annual Breckenridge Main Street Art Festival (N Main St. & Wellington) Aug 6-7: 24th Annual Beaver Creek Art Festival (Beaver Creek Village, Avon) NO DOGSAug 13-14: 5th Annual Main Street to the Rockies Art Festival-Frisco (Main St. & 3rd)Aug 27: Plein Air Rockies - Estes Park Cultural Arts Council Sept 3-5: Breckenridge Gathering at the Great Divide (Main & Wellington)
Portfolio

Hana Show

- Featured Paintings from Jan Bushart's Solo Show at Hotel Hana-Maui - February 2011 -

Overlooking Hana Town 48"x60"
"Ke'anai"
"Life is Good" 1
"Leho'ula to Alau"
"Waliua Falls"
"Isthmus Vista"
"Hamoa Hale"
"Lavender Farm"
"Ranch House"

(click on image in slider to view larger and to see title & info)

Hana Show
Recent Works
Upcountry
Beach
Cottages
Colorado

Recent Works

- Recent Works -

"Kapalua Ironwoods"
"Distant Kahakaloa"
"Morning Reflections"
"Wailua Falls"
"Hana Workhorse"
"Makawao Shower Tree"
Living on the Edge of Paradise
Koki towards Leho'ula
"Keanae Mist"
"Morning Shadows and Light"