Starting out as a young tomboy in Colorado catching snakes and climbing trees, always carrying her little field guides with her - immersing herself in nature which created a live long curious mind. Her parents, although not outdoors people nor artists - supported and encouraged their daughter by buying drawing books and supplies. When her parents moved to Oklahoma they enrolled Jan in some art classes. She continued to study art in high school and then college. Unfortunately the curriculum in college was totally modern abstract art. She had never stopped doing her animal art at home - so - disillusioned and frustrated she quite before she got her degree. She began selling her animal themed graphite, pen and ink and etchings at art fairs. She then studied with a local artist to learn acrylics. In about 1980 she discovered Robert Bateman which changed her life forever. She began taking workshops with him - and other artists - to develop her own style, but which is influenced by Bateman who has become her friend and mentor and she is honored that she now hangs beside him in many museum shows.