Eagle staff report

Most of us look at the plants and flowers around us and think, "how nice." Shelley Harris-Janac of Hearne sees them and turns them into whimsical works of art. For 40 years, Harris-Janac has been creating pictures of fairies, castles and other things out of pressed flowers, leaves, grasses and other botanical objects.

This month, her pieces are on display in the Texas Gallery of the Arts Council of Brazos Valley. A reception for Harris-Janac will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Arts Council, 2275 Dartmouth St., College Station. The public is invited.

In addition to her pressed botanical works, Harris-Janac carves intricately designed gourds, some of which also will be on display at the Arts Council.

Harris-Janac developed her love for botanical art as a youngster in Michigan. There, she collected some of the pretty things she saw and, during the long winter months when there wasn't much to do, she turned them into works of art.

"I took every art class offered in my small town high school and also at Grand Valley State College in Allendale, Mich.," Harris-Janac said in her online biography.

Using information she found in books, Harris-Janac taught herself how to do beadwork, weave baskets and carve gourds into works of art. Her father also interested her in photography, a love she continues to this day.

Harris-Janac grows several types of gourds in her garden. In her biography, she said, "Most of my gourd work is inspired by nature itself and Native American art. I like to embellish them and finish them off with a touch of weaving, coiling or beadwork."

She terms her pressed flower artwork a serious "hobby," noting online, "I think I could work with them 24 hours a day if I didn't have to stop for food and sleep."

Harris-Janac moved to Texas in 1978 and went to work as a mail carrier. She observed the beauty of nature around her on her route, some of it unknown in her native Michigan. At night, she created works of art and taught basket weaving out of her home and at Texas A&M University.

She has sold her works at craft and art shows and through the Texas Gallery at the Arts Council. She has had exhibitions of her artwork at several locations. Her creation "Frog Prince" won first place last in the Brazos Valley Art League show and took honorable mention this year at the statewide Lone Star Art Guild show in Houston.

Her works will be on sale at the conclusion of the Arts Council exhibition and online at www.naturesartstudio.com.

Harris-Janac's work is on display in the Texas Gallery through Aug. 30. The Arts Council is open Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free.

Treasured Memories

An exhibit of oil paintings by Dena Petty is on display through Sept. 12 at Art C'S gallery in Somerville.

Petty, of Midlothian, works in oils and chooses subjects that inspire. Among the original oils on display are vibrant skies, scenes from Tuscany and some Texas country scenes. There also are three giclée works by Petty. Giclée is a process of creating copies of works of art from a digital image, using an ink-jet process.

The theme for the exhibit is "Treasured Memories of Inspiration."

A reception for Petty will be from 4-7 p.m. Aug. 23 at the gallery.

Art C's just celebrated its second anniversary. It is at 17442 Texas 36 S. in Somerville. It is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., but occasionally closes early for special events. It is best to call ahead at 979-596-ARTC (2782) to be sure the gallery is open.

• Arts-related news may be sent to features@theeagle.com or faxed to 776-8923.

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Posted by: Cecelia On: 8/3/2008

Comment Title:
It's interesting to read about area artists. So much talent that we don't get to see enough of.

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