Jan Mapes

Colorado

The roots of Jan’s professional art career extend deep into childhood, where her family’s love for the outdoors nurtured curiosity and creativity. Her mother taught her to savor the world and love its creatures. A heritage was also handed down by her grandfather who introduced her to the life of a southern cowman, filling her mind and heart until horses, cattle, and cowboys became a craving as strong as sweets!

When Jan moved west to Colorado, she discovered that horses were everywhere, just as she’d imagined. The West took up residence inside of her. Its shapes, colors and movements lured her in and fed her growing curiosity.

Jan began to realize that an object is not alone but is defined by its context: whether it is larger than, brighter than, quicker than what is next to it. Each element in creation, or any work of art, is dependent on the rest. Order without randomness is boring, they need each other!

Her goal is to weave these components together in each painting and sculpture, resulting in a pleasant visual experience much like a great chef’s meal or a beautiful symphony.