Janet Fricks
Janet Fricks’ passion has always been painting. It began at the age of six with an impressionable moment that, years later, still resonates vividly with the artist. While wearing an original deep royal purple velvet dress, custom designed and impeccably made by her mother, Janet beamed with confidence when she overheard the comment, “My, she looks like she stepped right out of the pages of Vogue magazine!” That moment launched the artist’s passion for fashion through painting.
The direction of her art was indelibly influenced by her mother, a creative fashion designer, who conceived and tailored trend-setting clothes for Janet and her sisters, clothes to wear for church, holidays, school, play, and other special occasions. The resulting influence on the artist - this epitome of magnificent glamor – permeates her work. Janet has come to believe beautiful women dress “to say it all without saying a word”. This belief shines through the images she paints, images of self-assured, beautifully arrayed fashionistas, sometimes poised, sometimes whimsical, always in dynamic color, sometimes ‘true’, usually abstract, rich in texture, suggesting energy, grace, and movement.
Her artistic attention naturally progressed, allowing her to produce her sought after abstract works. These follow in the same spirit, reflecting her love of undisciplined pattern, far reaching undertone, and ever mesmerizing complexion of paint.
Janet lives in Naples, Florida, and graduated from Anderson University/Indiana in 1978 with a BA in Art & Business. The first public showing of her works was in Nashville Tennessee when she was ‘discovered’ in 2000 at Ron York’s well-revered gallery, known today as York & Friends Fine Art. Janet is thankful to Ron for opening the door for her to share her artistic fascination and paintings with others. Now Janet’s signature works hang in many homes and businesses, appealing as they do to a wide range of homeowners, collectors, and cognoscentes.
Debuting Spring 2020, Janet began featuring her amazing artwork on UbU Clothing’s line, combining her paintings with their sought-after garment designs, creating a fantastic one-of-a-kind wearable art collection. Look for Janet’s UbU coats and travel wear at the Smithsonian, Mystic Seaport, Chicago Architectural Center, Longwood Gardens, Royal Science Museum, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Tivoli Fashions (Bloomington, Indiana), and at specialty boutiques, resort shops, and department stores.