Now that I’m semi-retired, I have more time to pursue my passion for art. I have attended several art workshops over the past few years most recently a workshop with Katharine Burns, a prominent oil painter from Nova Scotia. Currently I am attending classes with Wysotski Studios. I am dedicated to learning and growing as an artist and I believe it to be a life-long pursuit.                  

One of my favourite poets, Mary Oliver writes “Let me keep my mind on what matters, which is my work, which is mostly standing still and learning to be astonished”. When I paint a scene, I’m trying to convey my astonishment to the viewer. In Newfoundland it’s easy to find scenes that astonish me, from the crashing waves to the quiet coves. I’m also inspired and astonished by scenes in and around Georgian Bay and I love attempting to capture the bare rocks and haggard trees of that region.

Often I work from photos of the scenes I’ve visited but lately I’ve also been working “en plein air” a French term which means painting outside from the actual place itself. This is challenging especially when faced with the rapidly changing weather conditions in Canada but it’s the best fun.

I paint using oil on canvas but when I’m outside sketching I will also use watercolour and gouache as these mediums are easier to transport. I love painting the ocean and attempting to capture the exciting energy of a crashing wave. Recently I’ve been drawn to a way of painting called tonalism which focuses on depicting quiet evening scenes with minimalism and mystery. Another joy I have is painting on found rocks from beaches in Newfoundland. I find a rock that speaks to me and tells me the picture it wants me to paint on it. I just follow the lines and crevice’s of the rock without using any references and a painting emerges.

I am open to commissions and can be reached at jacquietjandra@gmail.com or you can find my work on Instagram: JacquieTjandra.art