As an artist, I received a Bachelor of Fine Art in Illustration from the University of Kansas. Then I was honored to be on staff as an artist for Hallmark Cards in Kansas City, Missouri. My career took on a different path when I transferred to San Francisco, California to again paint in a satellite studio with Hallmark.

At that time, I felt an urge to use my art skills to teach for healing purposes when I was recruited by Wyandot Center to create from the ground up an art's program. I accepted and have lesson planned and art facilitated the art's program at the studio Art Maker's Place with a talented group of staff. I have focused on my own paintings for the past 25 years developing my skills and craft independently.

Freelance: Sierra Club Magazine, Teleflora Magazine, San Fransisco Examiner, Kansas City Star

I paint from early childhood experiences of gentler times with my art illustrations. I grew up in the rural parts of Wyandotte County, Kansas that has made a lasting impression on my artistic expressions as I reflect woodland nature surroundings. I have an eye for detail that one can see when looking closely at the natural world. I have a strong interest in photography and will often photography my own reference materials.

I describe my style as Idealized Realism and often times incorporate flora and fauna with a strong sense of balance and design to the viewer. I have studied and fashioned some of my art style after artists such as Alphonse Mucha and Jessie Wilcox Smith. My paint medium is acrylic with rendering skills and an added touch of air brush to set a mood and color sensitivity.

You will only find positive moods of pastel lightness to my compositions and images that are gentle and soothing to the viewer emotionally. I believe that all who define themselves as an artist paint form an internal flow of mood and emotion as we see the world. As a painter I think out load with canvas, paint, brushes and a little bit of water. I see the world as a peaceful one at a time of some complexity in modern times and want to give that emotion to the viewers of my art. My portfolio is found at www.jankobe.com

Contact Jan for commissions or prints as 913 671-7125 or email me at jankobe@kc.rr.com

art web: www.jankobe.com