FOLEY, Alabama — Laurel Avenue
nestles quietly among the flower-laden streets in Foley. Inviting
windows of an artist’s studio and gallery complement the city
facade as paintings, pottery, sculptures and gifts beckon patrons
into …
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"font-family:">FOLEY, Alabama — Laurel Avenue nestles quietly among the flower-laden streets in Foley. Inviting windows of an artist’s studio and gallery complement the city facade as paintings, pottery, sculptures and gifts beckon patrons into Jan’s Art Studio.
"font-family:">Jan Vining can be seen flitting about the gallery, answering questions or teaching art classes. The petite brunette said she enjoys helping and learning from other artists while she immerses herself in her first love, and second career.
"font-family:">Vining practiced bookkeeping for many years and didn’t begin pursuing her interest in arts and crafts until retirement. She said that during RV travels, she entertained herself by letting her creative juices flow.
"font-family:">“I first started as a decorative painter,” she explained. “The minute I’d get into town, I’d find an art studio, and that gave me something to do.
"font-family:">“I took classes from whoever, where ever, then I decided to go back to school to study art. I took a drawing class first, and the teacher said I was really good, so she sent me to another teacher.”
"font-family:">The hobby blossomed into an art studio and gallery in almost as unlikely a fashion, Vining recalled.
"font-family:">“I had a home studio in Orange Beach and the (Orange Beach) Art Center asked me to teach — this was when the center was at the old hotel,” she said.
"font-family:">She explained that many students wanted to take the class she offered along with another of her artist friends. One student was the former Foley mayor’s wife who said she was tired of driving to Orange Beach. She offered Vining a shop in Foley.
"font-family:">“We’ve been friends ever since,” Vining chuckled. “When I walked in I thought this is the perfect place.
"font-family:">“I already had lots of art supplies and paintings, so I quickly filled the place up.”
"font-family:">She said she hopes to help others who share her passion for the arts.
"font-family:">“If I don't have something, I order it,” she divulged. “I try to help artist in the area.
"font-family:">“It’s just fun to meet the amazing artists and other people that come in.”
"font-family:">In addition to ordering paints and brushes, Vining also offers art classes for novices to experienced painters.
"font-family:">“I teach open studio — they walk in and may want to learn acrylics, oils, watercolors or whatever,” she explained. “I'm switching back and forth constantly — I teach what they want to learn.”
"font-family:">She admitted that her reward goes beyond helping others moisten canvas with paint.
"font-family:">“When the light bulb goes on, it’s so cool to watch and to see them get excited,” she said with wide eyes. “They get to see all these other people and what they’re doing; everybody has the opportunity to see different styles.
"font-family:">“They get excited about doing something, and they get rewarded in the sense that they can take that piece home and be proud of it.”
"font-family:">Halleck Mathews, one of Vining’s students, said he appreciates her class setting, along with her critiques.
"font-family:">“She knows how to do it, and she’s not afraid to let you know if it’s not right,” he laughed. “It’s a really interesting class, and she does a good job of telling you how to match tones and colors.
"font-family:">“I work with acrylic; I do landscapes and other things. She straightens me out on the colors and the depths, and how to get those different depths for landscapes. Plus, she lets you kind of run free. I like that way better.”
"font-family:">Judy Howard also attends the open classes at Jan’s, but for different reasons than many students, she said.
"font-family:">“I consider her a friend and a really good artist,” Howard began. “It’s an open studio so we can take a break from our own work and walk around and look at other people’s work.
"font-family:">“Jan goes around and speaks to everyone in the class, and we bounce ideas back and forth. I sometimes bring in finished works and ask Jan what she thinks; I may take suggestions or I may not, but it helps to have another artist’s eye on stuff.”
"font-family:">She said she appreciates getting input from another, talented individual.
"font-family:">“Sometimes your artworks are like your children, and you don’t see their flaws as easily as others do,” she divulged. “She’s very gentle with it (critiques) and positive.
"font-family:">“It can be hard to find a critical opinion that’s helpful because there are not many skilled people. You need someone with the same skill level as your own, or better.”
"font-family:">Vining said she may have indulged her artist side after retirement, but she’s felt the pull of the paintbrush for much longer.
"font-family:">“I started painting in my 20s,” she began. “I've always been able to just grab something and paint it.
"font-family:">“I could always just unscrew the paint and put it on a palette and paint with it — I could just see something and paint it. I don’t know where this came from. I’ve been into every craft known to man.”
"font-family:">Vining said she believes her experience has taught her something very important.
"line-height: 115%; font-family:">“Even late in life, you can most definitely have a different career,” she spoke with an inspired tone. “Because I took classes all over the U.S., it gave me a background in every medium … and then school brought it all together.”
