I recently interviewed Janis Galbraith Fitch over a delightful lunch at the Station Taproom in Downingtown. When I emailed Janis to set up lunch, she told me she had read the other interviews and was honored to be chosen. I thought, “oh crap,” she knows the questions and has the answers rehearsed. Our lengthy conversation meandered and we shared many stories and laughs.
We discovered we both had recently returned from Cape Cod. I reflected on how quaint and beautiful Martha’s Vineyard was. Janis had just returned from her third visit to the Cape this summer. Her enthusiasm for the beach, the rocks, the sea glass, and the light could not be contained. She shared her photos from the Cape that she had stored on her iPhone. I loved her enthusiasm for the subject matter expressed in her art. Beaches, beach houses with blue skies, Cape Cod sun and shadows painted with blues and fuchsias–that’s just some of her paintings.
Now, place a cow within the painting on the beach! I know… but really it isn’t that odd. She has been painting this unique combination for over twenty years. I’ll let Janis tell it, hoping that her enthusiasm comes across in words. Make sure you smile and think of that warm summer sun as you read.
How did you get started making art?
I always drew. I always drew as a kid. I would draw my dolls, my backyard.
Did you receive any formal art training? Where and what did you major in?
Yes, I went to the University of Delaware. I started as a math major. My dad thought I was going in as a math major. Before I ever had to take a math class I changed to art. My sophomore year there they started a BFA program. So I entered that. There was sixteen of us, I think, and so I got my BFA in drawing and painting.
Describe your work in general for the readers?
Cows, and the beach…and sometimes its the cows on the beach, and bright colors. The cows are not wearing sunglasses, they belong there. I guess its kind of pop. I don’t know how to describe it.
What is your medium?
I use oils because, that’s what I was taught in my painting classes at the U of D. But I also think it’s because they blend easily, I can get intense colors with them, and I can get a nice shiny surface with them. And the smell of oils is the best.
When did you start placing cows on beaches?
When I lived in Texas. I lived in Texas for 2 years, from 1984–1986, I think. Right before we lived in Texas, I lived in Pennsylvania and I took pictures of all these cows and I really was homesick. So, I was looking at all these cows and I was also looking at these pictures of Cape Cod, I also love Cape Cod. I thought it would be really cool. I thought, “wouldn’t it look good if I put a cow at the bottom of this hill on the beach?” And there is something about the cows, they’re black and white; well, usually they are black and white but because the colors of Cape Cod are so vivid that they go well together. I’m kind of obsessed with them. I do paint cows that aren’t on the beaches. I get away from the cows and I have to start painting them.
You really capture the sunlight and warm glow of the Cape Cod sun. What tip do you have for artists to capture that?
Go at the right time of day. I go around and take pictures, I take a lot pictures in the early morning before there are a lot of people on the beach or cars, but my favorite time is in the afternoon when the sun is lower and it just has that warmth. Cape Cod just looks like that.
You have to remember there’s a lot of yellow in your white.
How do you decide when an artwork is done?
I knew you were going to ask that. I saw it on the blog and I was like CRAP! Well I was thinking about it and I will look at my painting and analyze it. Like this one I am working on right now. I have these beach chairs and they are looking over the Provincetown line and you can see all the monuments. I really love that I changed the sky, it was awesome! And I went back downstairs after dinner and looked at it and I was like crap! The monument is crooked! I mean little things like that. I wrote it down because I wasn’t going to get everything out that night, so I make a list. And I say okay, monument bothers me. It’s crooked, and I have to remember to put the bright light on the side of this chair. I have all these things, little tasks that I have to finish with the painting before it will be acceptable. So when I can look at the painting and there’s nothing that screams at me that says this is bad, I think it’s done. There’s always the time limit.
What inspires you?
I never really know, usually Cape Cod and cows and I always have to have my camera with me. We’ll be driving along and I’ll say, “Stop Stop Stop!” And it’s just sunlight on a building and I know I have to paint it, and sometimes we’ll pass something and I’ll think I should have taken a picture of that, so 5 min down the road I’ll say Richie can we turn around there’s something I really want to do.
Do you have any habits or morning routines you do before going to the easel?
Yes, indeed I do. I wake up, I have 2 cups of coffee; I go to the YMCA and work out for 2 hours. Then I come home and I try not to go on the Internet, so I shower and paint. If I go on Facebook, I paint much later.
What are you eating right now?
Well, I have a Ham and Brie Panini and its very very good–very creamy and served with truffle fries, and it tastes like a little bit of garlic, but not too much.
What is your favorite food?
Probably ice cream.
Your proudest moment?
It’s not a moment, my 2 daughters I guess, they turned out so good. I’m very proud of them.
What was your mother right about?
I was hoping you’d ask this one because my mother is totally right about this. She always said I never feel older than 18, like in my mind, I always feel like I am 18. And I thought yeah right, Well I never feel older than 22. I never liked 18 because I was too shy, so maybe 24. I can relate to everybody that is young. My body is maybe not cooperating. I look in the mirror sometimes and I’m like, ‘oh my God its my grandmother.’ But she was right, you never feel older than a certain age.
Money is okay, but it isn’t what life is about. What is it about?
Life is about relationships.
Where did you grow up?
New Jersey.
Two words you would use to describe your ideal self?
Happy, Successful.
You collect?
Sea glass and rocks.
An artist whose work you highly respect?
Edward Hopper.
You think I would have realized by now that these conversations take at least three hours. This one was no different. We had a window seat at the Station Taproom, and we watched as many passengers boarded and disembarked at the Downingtown Train Station. The food was awesome, simple yet gourmet, along with a great rotating beer selection. We chatted over a homemade chorizo and goat cheese sandwich and a ham with a triple crème panini. I insisted on getting the truffle fries.
I felt bad that we had to end it and get on with the remainder of the day. Janice’s nerves were squelched form the pint of Weizen Beer (if you ever need a good hangman word). So, I took advantage of the opportunity and played a speed round of questions. Check them out on my blog by visiting jeff-schaller.
Find Station Taproom at 207 West Lancaster Avenue in Downingtown or online at stationtaproom.com.
