WELCOME JAN SPENCER
Artist, Jan Spencer in her Rozelle Studio
Jan Spencer’s materials of choice, Caran d’Ache oil pastels and coloured papers
It is my great pleasure to introduce Jan Spencer, a Sydney-based collage artist. Having cycled and sketched her way through much of Australia she is the epitome of slow travel and continual observation. Her paper and oil crayon collages beam with intense colour, simplified form and vigour, bearing the mark of her patient manner as she allows places to reveal themselves in an unhurried manner.
An avid cyclist Jan has travelled through many national parks and regions including the Central West NSW, South Australia, Western Australia and Northern Territory. Jan’s travels overseas include walking in Japan and Italy and cycling in Austria, Italy, France, Germany and Denmark.
Jan Spencer on the road in South Australia
On her extensive rides Jan regularly stops on the side of the road or at day’s end to fill her handmade diaries with notes and sketches. Upon returning to her Rozelle studio, these initial sketches are then used as references to create collage landscapes using coloured papers and luscious thick Caran d’Ache oil crayons. The coloured papers topped with a layer of crayon are torn or scored to her desired shapes revealing the raw edges and creating tremulous outlines in rich ochres and charcoals full of latent energy.
The final compositions are pasted carefully on timber boards covered with delicate washi paper, usually 20 x 25cm, and sealed with varnish so the works require no framing or glass. Jan has exhibited for over 30 years. Her work features in the Artbank Collection, The State Bank Collection and corporate and private collections in Australia, France, Japan, the USA and the UK
I am delighted to now offer a selection of Jan Spencer’s collages for sale.