Artist champions importance of art at any age

By Rachael Lorenz
The Portland Upside
February 2010

Janet Louvau Holt will be exhibiting her artwork to benefit The Geezer Gallery’s art therapy and instructional programs for seniors.

“You don’t have to give up just because you have a different number after your name,” says Janet Louvau Holt, one of the many accomplished senior artists on The Geezer Gallery roster for shows in the near future.

The Geezer Gallery envisions a future where each and every senior can create and experience joy through the arts, a future where becoming an elder is a process of positive change and new possibilities.

Janet’s words encourage senior citizens of the greater Portland area who will be given the opportunity to experience this exciting new way of growing old through art.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity,” she adds, knowing that part of the proceeds from the sale of her paintings will go to fund The Geezer Gallery’s art therapy and instructional programs.

Janet will also exhibit her work at the Grand Works Northwest Art Festival scheduled for May 22, 2010.The festival is a benefit to raise funds for Elders in Action’s Personal Advocate Program and The Geezer Gallery.

“It’s hard to know what one’s legacy is. I teach workshops every now and then and I taught in a retirement facility as a volunteer for eight years and that was very moving. I’ll never forget this one woman who had been injured by a bus. She told me that when she was in art class she never felt any pain. I like to think that art helps people get out from themselves.”

Janet made her first painting at twelve years old. She has painted ever since, only taking time out while raising her family as sole breadwinner.

“I thought I would explode,” she says of that time.

Janet loves to draw and keep sketchbooks in which she tries to add at least one sketch per day. She starts her day doing the crossword puzzle, then sets to work in her studio, comfortably located on the lower level of her lovely home.

“I work at something every day. I don’t wait for a lightning bolt of inspiration. It’s my job.

“I don’t work from photos. Doing a drawing puts the image into the mental computer so you can pull it out without looking at the sketch. And if I like it, I turn it into something that becomes a series. It’s important to work in a series because it shows that you really care about the subject.”

When asked if she has advice for budding artists, Janet replies, “Draw, draw, draw. If you have an assignment to do a painting you have two choices. You can do a painting that reflects a day when everything is going your way or a day that isn’t so good. What colors would you choose? What subject? Would you put your fingers right in the paint and scratch down with your fingernails? I like to get them to think for themselves.”

Janet has taught a number of art classes. She says there are always students who were told back in their elementary school days that they didn’t have talent because they didn’t stay within the lines.

“We’re not all Michelangelo, but we can all do something. Use your imagination. You have talent. Your job is to figure out what it is; music, science, literature, painting, sports, whatever. Take the time to investigate and find out what your special talent is, because you have it.”

When it comes to a vision for her work, Janet is clear.

“As I’m working I always like to think about how art reflects the times of the artist as well as the interest. So, when I think about our times, they’re busy, they’re fragmented, they’re loud. But there are also those lovely quiet times with family members, friends, loved ones that have an influence on the look of things. So I don’t want my work to all look the same. I love to experiment. And I expect to keep on doing that.”

Janet’s paintings speak of nature and the beauty that surrounds us. Her use of color is extraordinarily moving. Brightly colored shapes jump from her canvases—trees, flowers, clouds and sun. In other paintings the colors are muted, speaking of beauty even when it’s dark, encouraging us to open our eyes and let it inside.

Janet’s work, one piece of which is featured in The Portland Art Museum’s permanent collection, holds wisdom for all ages, genders, and races.

“It’s very important, not just for artists, to actually go and look at art in galleries and museums. It’s part of our heritage and culture and also when we look at the art of other cultures we can see that we’re all in this together and celebrate the similarities and the differences.”

In March, Janet will open her home for an all-day exhibition of her work. Fifty percent of the sale of woodcuts, monotypes, acrylics and collages will go toward funding The Geezer Gallery.

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To see more of Janet Louvau Holt’s work visit http://janetlouvauholt.com Information about The Geezer Gallery can be found at http://geezergallery.com

Rachael Lorenz is currently working on publishing a children’s book and workbook, “Madeline’s Art Studio . . . Sienna Learns To Paint.” The proceeds from this book will go toward funding The Geezer Gallery. Contact Rachael at 503-913-9255 or Rachael@geezergallery.com