Jan Neil

After completing studies in Fine Art in 1975, Jan utilized various artistic mediums until 1989, when she concentrated exclusively on image making using the silk screen process.

Jan uniquely combined silk screen with collage in that year, resulting in the production of a very individual monoprint. (The collage making exact reproduction impossible.)

In this process, the screen is open and pieces of heavy paper are positioned on each work to prevent ink being deposited in unwanted areas.

This approach continued until the establishment of the Carlton Studio, Melbourne in 1997.

Application of acrylic to collage in the painting process evolved through the following year. This method follows a very similar approach to the silk screen in that the images are started on a black background, although the collage is now on canvas, allowing for changes in scale and collage materials.

After the collage application, colour is applied from dark to light, waiting for each colour to dry before the next application.
Although landscape is not always the only inspiration for image making, it is naturally suggested by horizontal panels and separations.

The colour is mostly fully saturated and used in conjunction with black separations which intensify and define.

Textural materials are torn where possible and juxtaposed with other materials and found objects eg. timber, metal and wire are the most commonly used.

Found objects have an inferred history and draw connection between things encountered and time and place.