Jansen paints picture of her travels

COLUMBUS - Darlene Jansen has captured the vibrant colors and unique images of foreign lands and brought them to Columbus through her exhibit “Destinations and Inspirations.”

Jansen, of Lincoln, travels around the world to places such as New Zealand, Poland, Japan, Singapore, Australia and the Czech Republic for inspiration and subjects to influence her art. Many of her pieces are shown worldwide in private and corporate collections.

After taking many photos of particular areas and subjects, she constructs her paintings by using multiple photographic images - with some artistic license - and infuses the painting to reflect the mood and atmosphere of her experience.

“Being there gives me the inspiration. It is something different from the floral and local scenes,” Jansen said. “There are more photos in my files I want to be able to paint, but I won't live long enough to paint them all.”

The color scheme and imagery draw people in and she hopes intrigues people to want to experience the subjects for themselves.

“It sparks people's interest if they have not been there,” she said.

Jansen's primary artistic medium is water color painting, but she also has worked with porcelain, drawing and calligraphy.

“Water color is the most difficult medium to learn,” she said. “No white paint is used ... you must retain the vibrant color of the paint and there is little room for error. Once you lose the color you can't get it back.”

It also may be difficult because people are used to working with positive imagery, Jansen said, but with water color painting an artist is “working with a negative more so than the positive.”

But for more than 30 years she has honed her skill and craft and has worked to pass her passion and knowledge onto others.

“I have had a passion for art all my life,” she said.

The Columbus Area Arts Council is presenting the exhibit through Oct. 13.

A reception for the artist will be held from 1:30-4 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Columbus Art Gallery located on the lower level of the Columbus Library.

For gallery hours or more information about this event, call 563-1016.