JANET TARJAN ERL,
RESIDES: Rocky Point, Oregon
BORN: 1957
EDUCATION: University of California, Davis. 1978-81.
Sierra College, Rocklin, CA. 1974-1977.
MAJOR FIELDS: Fine Arts
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:
National Watercolor Society Signature Member
(NWS), Watercolor Society of Oregon (WSO),
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Janet’s professional art career spans over thirty five years. She has exhibited in over fifty noteworthy venues including one person shows, group shows, and juried competitions in museums, arts organizations, and galleries. She has exhibited and won many awards in international art shows for her watercolors and oils.
She has been featured in publications such as American Artist, US Art, and Wildlife Art News. Her work is in private, corporate, and museum collections including the Leigh Yawkey Woodsen Art Museum, the Tucson Museum of Art, the Hiram Blauvelt Art Museum, the San Diego Natural History Museum, and the Bennington Center for the Arts. She is a Signature Member of the National Watercolor Society (NWS) and a juried member of the Watercolor Society of Oregon (WSO).
HISTORY
Janet was raised in Auburn, California, a Sierra Nevada foothill community. As a young adult, Janet spent much time hiking, exploring, and painting the surrounding countryside. She began her formal art education at Sierra College, California. While attending Sierra College she became the Art Director for the Sierra College Science Center and Planetarium. She created museum exhibits and planetarium shows. After finishing her studies at Sierra College she transferred to University of California, Davis where she continued her art studies under Wayne Thiebaud, Robert Arneson, and other accomplished artists. While attending U.C. Davis, she free lance illustrated for computer game companies, science museums, nature centers, and various businesses. Janet illustrated for many years in addition to creating her fine art. As her fine art blossomed, she focused primarily on painting rather than illustrating.
Today Janet paints plein air and in the studio. Her favorite subjects are landscapes, nature, and wildlife. Her preferred mediums are watercolor and oil.
In addition to her passion for art, she is an enthusiastic outdoor explorer. Her daily outings and adventures include hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, kayaking, and sailing. These outdoor adventures provide Janet with an insight into the creativity and complexity of life which provides an endless source of inspiration for her art. Her goals include exploring the world with her husband Harry; painting the diverse and beautiful geography, animals, and cultures around the world; illustrating; writing; and living life fully.
MUSEUM COLLECTIONS
Leigh Yawkey Woodsen Art Museum, Wausau, Wisconsin.
Tucson Museum of Art, Tucson, Arizona.
Bennington Center for the Arts, Bennington, Vermont.
Hiram Blauvelt Art Museum, Oradell, New Jersey.
James Ford Bell Museum of Natural History. Minneapolis, Minnesota.
San Diego Natural History Museum, San Diego, California.
MAJOR PRIVATE & PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
Central Oregon Community College, Bend, Oregon.
Rocky Mountain Clothing Company, Denver, Colorado.
Fairchild Medical Center, Yreka, California.
GRANTS
Owen Gromme Grant, 1990, American Museum of Wildlife Art of the James
Dan Dobbins Stipend, 1983, Sierra Club Motherlode Chapter, California.
PUBLICATIONS
Artist’s Rendezvous, Herald and News, January 31, 2010.
The Gallery Hosts Erl, Siskiyou Daily News, January 31, 2008.
Springfest of Art, Herald and News, March 27, 2008.
Along the Wilderness Trail, Wildlife Art News, May/June 1992.
Artist Vignette, Wildlife Art News, May/June 1990.
The Watercolor Wonders of Janet Tarjan Erl, Siskiyou Times, Aug. 1, 1990.
Private Showings, US Art, April 1989.
Painting in the Back Country - A Guide to Streamlining Your Art Gear, American Artist, October 1988.
Works of Art Capture Nature's Serenity, Siskiyou Daily News, Sept., 19, 1988.
Sacramento's Wildlife Parkway, Outdoor California, Sept./Oct. 1985.
JURIED INTERNATIONAL, NATIONAL, AND STATE EXHIBITIONS
3rd Annual Laumeister Fine Art Competition, 2011, Bennington Center for the Arts, Bennington, Vermont, (Viewer’s Choice Award).
Watercolor Society of Oregon 46th Annual Aqueous Media Exhibition 2011, Eugene, Oregon.
Watercolor Society of Oregon 45th Annual Transparent Watercolor Exhibition 2010, Salem, Oregon, (2nd Place & People’s Choice Award, Statewide Touring Exhibit).
2010 Aqueous Open, Pittsburgh Watercolor Society’s 64th Annual International Exhibition, Pittsburgh, PA.
31st Annual International Marine Art Exhibition, 2010, The Maritime Gallery at Mystic Seaport, Mystic, Connecticut.
Maritime Miniatures by Maritime Masters, 2010, The Maritime Gallery at Mystic Seaport, Mystic, Connecticut.
Emerald Spring Exhibition, 2010, Emerald Art Center, Springfiled Oregon
Northwest Watercolor Society 2010 70th Annual Open Exhibition, Seattle WA.
Watercolor Society of Oregon 45th Annual Aqueous Media Exhibition 2010, Brookings, Oregon, (Award of Distinction, Statewide Touring Exhibit).
WAS-H 2010 33rd International Exhibit, Watercolor Art Society Houston, 2010, Houston, Texas,(Merit Award).
National Watercolor Society 89th Annual Exhibition, 2009, La Brea, California
2009 Aqueous Open, Pittsburgh Watercolor Society’s 63rd Annual International Exhibition, Pittsburgh, PA.
Maritime Miniatures by Maritime Masters 2009, The Maritime Gallery at Mystic Seaport, Mystic, Connecticut.
Thirtieth Annual International Marine Art Exhibition, 2009, The Maritime Gallery at Mystic Seaport, Mystic, Connecticut.
Emerald Spring Exhibition, 2009, Emerald Art Center, Springfiled Oregon, (Butler Family Gold Medal Award).
Birds in Art, 2008, 1992, 1989,1988 Leigh Yawkey Woodsen Art Museum, Wausau, Wisconsin
Wildlife: The Artist's View, 1996, 1993, 1990 Leigh Yawkey Woodsen Art Museum, Wausau, Wisconsin.
Pacific Rim Wildlife Art Competition, 1992, Tacoma, Washington.
Wildlife and Environmental Art Show, 1987,Los Angeles Audubon Society, Los Angeles, California, (Best of Show and Morris and Perron Merit Award).
Aqueous Open'87, 1987, Pittsburgh Watercolor Society, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Merit Award.
American Artists Professional League's 58th Grand National Exhibition, 1986, Salmagundi Club, New York, New York.
Aqueous Open'86, 1986, Pittsburgh Watercolor Society, Pittsburgh, PA.
8th Annual Desert West Juried Art Show, 1986, Lancaster, California.
REGIONAL JURIED EXHIBITIONS
Oregon Days of Culture, Oregon Cultural Trust, 2010, Ross Ragland Theater, Klamath Falls, OR
From the Field to the Table, 2009, Ross Ragland Theater and Cultural Center, Klamath Falls, Oregon,
From the Field to the Table, 2008, Ross Ragland Theater and Cultural Center, Klamath Falls, Oregon, (Second Place.)
Celebration of Birds Exhibit, 2005, Klamath Falls, Oregon, (Best of Show, First Place, People’s Choice Award).
Siskiyou Artists Association Art Show, 1992, Weed, California, (Second Place and Best Domestic Animal Award).
Siskiyou Artists Association Art Show, 1989, Yreka, California, (Best of Show and First Place Landscape).
Siskiyou Artists Association Art Show, 1987, Yreka, California, (People's Choice Award, and Best Watercolor Award).
Auburn Arts 35, 1986, Auburn, California, (Honorable Mention).
Vacaville Art Show, 1986, Vacaville, California.
Fairfield Art Show, 1985, Fairfield, California.
Eclectic Two Art Show, 1985, Roseville, California.
Vacaville Art Show, 1985, Vacaville, California.
Auburn Arts 33, 1984, Auburn, California, (Honorable Mention).
High Desert Art Show, 1981, Joshua Tree, California, (Honorable Mention).
ONE PERSON & GROUP EXHIBITIONS
Finely Wrought, 2010, Southern Coos Hospital, Bandon OR.
32nd Annual Sagebrush Rendezvous Art Show, 2010, Klamath Falls, Oregon, featured artist.
Journeys in Art by Janet Tarjan Erl, 2008, The Gallery in Mt. Shasta, Mt. Shasta, California.
Springfest of Art, 2008, Klamath Arts Council, Klamath Falls, Oregon, featured artist.
Paintings by Janet Tarjan Erl, 2003, Modoc Gallery, Klamath Falls, Oregon.
Klamath Regional Arts, 2003, Klamath Arts Council Gallery, Klamath Falls, Oregon.
Favell Western Art Show, 2002, Favell Museum, Klamath Falls, Oregon.
Paintings of The American Landscape, 1997, Howard/Mandville Gallery, Edmunds, Washington.
6th Annual Northwest Invitational Miniature Show, 1996, Howard/Mandville Gallery, Kirkland, Washington.
Art of the West, 1995, Howard/Mandville Gallery, Kirkland, Washington.
An Evening with Tarjan, 1995, Fairchild Medical Center, Yreka, California.
5th Annual Northwest Invitational Miniature Show, 1995,Howard/Mandville Gallery,
Watercolors, 1994, Howard/Mandville Gallery, Edmunds, Washington.
4th Annual Northwest Invitational Miniature Show, 1994, Howard/Mandville Gallery, Kirkland, Washington.
Sixth Annual Original Showcase, 1994, Prestige Gallery, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
Natural Wonders, 1993, Leigh Yawkey Woodsen Art Museum, Wausau, Wisconsin. Permanent collection.
Tarjan One Person Show, 1993, Camera Shasta, Yreka, California.
3rd Annual Northwest Invitational Miniature Show, 1993, Howard/Mandville Gallery, Kirkland, Washington.
5th Annual Original Showcase, 1993, Prestige Gallery. Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
2nd Annual Northwest Invitational Miniature Show, 1992, Howard/Mandville Gallery, Kirkland, Washington.
4th Annual Original Showcase, 1992, Prestige Gallery. Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
Three Person Show, 1992 Kavesh Gallery, Ketchum, Idaho.
Two Person Show, 1991, Kavesh Gallery, Ketchum, Idaho.
Cats. 1991. Pacific Wildlife Galleries. Lafayette, California.
Northwest Invitational Miniature Show. 1991. Howard/Mandville Gallery. Kirkland, Washington.
3rd Annual Original Showcase. 1991. Prestige Gallery. Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
Wildlife of The West, 1990, One person show, 'The Duck Stamp, Sacramento, California.
Watercolors, 1989, Zantman Art Galleries, Carmel, California.
CURRENT GALLERY REPRESENTATIVES
Second Street Gallery, Bandon, Oregon
Spinetta Winery and Wildife Art Gallery, Plymouth, California
OTHER GALLERY REPRESENTATIVES
Thomas Lee Gallery, Ashland, Oregon
The Gallery in Mt. Shasta, Mt. Shasta, California
Parsonage Gallery. Carmel Valley, California.
Two Rivers Gallery, Chiloquin, Oregon
Wingbeat Gallery, Mt. Shasta, California.
Mountain Trails Gallery, Park City, Utah.
Silverthorne Gallery, Jackson, Wyoming.
Kavesh Gallery, Ketchum, Idaho
Zantman Art Galleries, Carmel, California.
Howard/Mandville Gallery, Kirkland & Edmunds, Washington.
Black Bear Gallery, Mt. Shasta, California.
The Duck Stamp Gallery, Sacramento, California.
Miners' Gallery, Yreka, California.
Soda Creek Gallery, Sisters, Oregon.
American Trails Gallery, Ashland, Oregon.
Blackhawk Gallery, Danville, California.
Pacific Wildlife Gallery, Lafayette, California.
Gerald Petite Gallery, Ashland, Oregon.
Prestige Gallery, Missisauga, Canada.
FINE ART PUBLISHERS
Trekker Designs, Inc., Klamath Falls, Oregon.
Wild Wings, Lake City, Minnesota.
Applejack, Glen Cove, New York, 1991.
RELATED JURIED EXHIBITIONS
Impressions Imprinted Sportswear T-Shirt Competition, 2002, Long Beach, California. First Place Award for Art - Manual Press Division
Fast Films International Screen Printing Competition, 2001, Phoenix, Arizona, First Place Award for Art - Manual Press Division
OTHER RELATED ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Janet is an award winning illustrator of T-shirt designs. She is also a published writer and has authored articles for magazines and periodicals. In addition, she has toured via a bicycle from Vancouver Canada to Auburn California and from Auburn, California to the Northern California coast and back.