Artist Statement
My artwork is driven by truth and emotion. My inner narrative is expressed in many forms, sometimes it is childlike, humorous and quirky, and other times it’s edgy, angsty, and even a bit dark.
My work gathers inspiration from countless visual or narrative sources, ranging from movies, books, fellow artists, and travel - to toys, and fashion. I am drawn to work by other pop surrealists including Remedios Varo, Xue Wang, Mark Ryden, and especially, Jenny Bird Alcantara. As a self-declared cinephile, movies have had a profound influence on the story telling nature of my paintings. I have often thought of my work as being a film clip from the movie of my mind/metaphorical life. Fashion plays a large role in my work, whether my characters wear what I wish i could or what i design, it's another layer of creativity for me.
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I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel to many parts of the U.S. and the world. On my adventures, I have found many peculiar and unexpected imagery, such as enchanting wallpaper patterns that have become the backdrop for a new piece, or architectural scenes for my characters to frolic through. These momentos help me create the visions of my inner world and become tangible so they might be shared with others.
Biography
Janalee is an nationally and internationally collected pop-surrealist artist based out of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. She was born and raised in Topeka, Kansas. Janalee attended the University of Kansas and received a Bachelor's Degree in Fine-Art with an emphasis in Printmaking.
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Through the years, Janalee has explored many mediums. Always gravitating towards drawing, or some version of it. For many years, she would make drawing on paintings her primary medium until 2017. Wanting to work larger, to achieve a colorful painterly feel, and then to draw on top of it. The process was always somehow missing something and painting was never felt like the right fit, like drawing. When she switched to digital painting, Finally, the love of drawing the look of a painting, and her background in printmaking would all come together.
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Janalee draws inspiration from countless visual sources, ranging from movies, and travel — to toys, and the latest fashion. Also, strongly inspired by fellow artists such as Remedios Varo, Xue Wang, Mark Ryden, and Jenny Bird Alcantara.
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Janalee now resides in Eureka Springs, AR with her husband, Edward, where she creates art out of her home studio. Janalee also co-owns White Phoenix Films and has been on the film team that creates award-winning commercials and short films. She and her husband co-own the Sacred Earth Gallery in Eureka Springs, AR.
Press
Open Studios tour gives visitors sneak peeks around Eureka Springs
Oct 13, 2023
Fans of Eureka Springs artists have been walking White Street every May for more than 30 years, getting a glimpse into the workplaces of some their favorites...
Spring In Bloom
Mar 21, 2021
Jana Robison's entry in "Flower Power" -- titled "We Were Seeds" -- was inspired by the quote "They tried to bury us, but they didn't know we were seeds," by the Greek poet Dinos Christianopoulos...
Coffee, Beer And Virtual Art: Brews reopens, but art show remains online for now
May 30, 2020
I gather inspiration from countless visual sources, ranging from movies, artists and travel to toys, advertisements and fashion catalogs...
3X3 Three Minutes, Three Questions with Edward and Jana Robison
June 30, 2017
“Art matters, especially during times of uncertainty,” Jana Robison says. “I think many of us feel anxious about the future and need to express that through our...
Whimsy In a New Medium
May 12, 2017
"Everyone in Janalee Robison's family makes art, and it's probably accurate to say hers is the most traditional -- or was...."
White Phoenix Films
White Phoenix Films is a film production company based out of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. We can handle everything from concept to a final edited film or commercial.
