Read Between the Lines / clay, underglazes, leather

Wagner / clay and wire / 5.5 x 7.5 x 2 inches

Slipping Away / clay, underglazes, glazes

Dirty Birds: Darla / clay and wire / 6.5 x 5 x 3 inches

You’re Late / clay & underglazes / 17 x 4 inches

The Power of Three / clay, underglazes, coloredpencils, markers / 28 x 7 inches

Jana John

Jana uses clay in an unusual way – to create colorful, whimsical, wacky masks and other pieces.  She make masks because she is fascinated by – their aura of mystery and transformation.  Masks let us become someone else, or allow us to be our true selves through anonymity. 

Jana’s subject matter often involves cats.  She loves these fascinating creatures, and toys to capture their personalities in her artwork. 

Jana choses red clay as her medium because, when she works with it, she feels a connection to the red dirt she played in on the Oklahoma farm where she grew up.  It apparently left permanent stains. 

Her work is meant to be a humorous yet heartfelt tribute to the art traditions that influence her. These include Native American and African art and the work of Picasso. 

Jana is all about creating smiles.  When her zany masks bring a smile or chuckle to the viewer, they are doing what they were intended to do.