We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Janice Schultz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Janice thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?

I never planned or dreamed that I could sell my work. Painting was a passion, not a career. But, one day in 2012, I was painting a landscape at Mammoth Lakes, California with a friend, Chick Bragg, a professional artist. We were set up about 50 yards away from each other, along the shoreline of Lake Mary.

We had been painting about 2 hours when an old man came by. He looked at my painting and asked me if I sold my work. I replied, “no” and added that I would just be happy if someone liked my painting. He asked me if I was sure and I said, “Yes, but why don’t you look at my friend’s work. He is a professional artist.” So off he goes to look at Chick’s painting and I continue to paint.

About 30 minutes later, the man comes back and asks me if I wanted to sell my painting. Again I replied, “No, I would just be glad if someone liked it.” Again I advised the man to go further up the shore to see Chick’s work. Off he goes again.

About 20 minutes later, the old man returns. Once again he asks if I would like to sell my painting. I was about to say no and then I thought how much would he offer? So I asked. His answer surprised me. I had never sold anything, but I thought the painting was pretty good and I thought maybe $100…. he offered me $20! Now what to do? I have repeatedly told him that I would just be happy if someone liked my work… how could I say $20 wasn’t enough. I couldn’t. So I said sold. As we are completing the sale, Chick walks up with his painting. He usually gets $3000 and up for a painting, but he says to the man, I will sell you my painting too. But I have to get a little more for mine . It will cost $25

So the old man walks away with two paintings and Chick and I had $45; just enough for two celebratory martinis.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Janice Schultz, Abstraction Art by Janice

Art has always been a part of my life. My mother and great aunt were artists. I always enjoyed art in school and when I became a teacher, art was an integral part of my curriculum and assignments. As a principal, and later district administrator, I promoted art in the classrooms specifically supporting the disciplined based art program sponsored by The Getty Museum. I have taught after school art classes for students and adults for many years.
About 5 years before I retired, I started taking art classes, first at Harbor College and then Otis College of Art. Abstract artists Bonita Helmer (Otis), and Craig Antrim, (Harbor College) have been influential teachers and mentors . While I paint both representational and abstract pieces, my true love is abstract painting.

Texture, implied or physical, is a common element in all of my work. I love to experiment and push materials and ideas. My painting tools include chicken wire, garden fencing, masonry tools and strawberry baskets. I spend hours at the hardware store looking at building materials and wondering how I can incorporate them into my art making. In my paintings I try to interpret or respond to an idea or an emotion, but most of all I try to make something beautiful.

Circles became a recurring motif in my work. Initially, I saw circles as representing wholeness, hope and eternity. Later as I began experimenting with new painting techniques I began to deconstruct the circles. They look a little beaten up: still hopeful but a little more worldly. As I have continued to experiment with my process I have added modeling paste, gels and garden fencing. Geometric shapes still appear in much of my work, but they are distorted and stretched, chopped and flattened. They are evolved; as have I.

My work has been in local shows, including CA101, Palos Verdes Art Center, Resin Gallery, Shock Boxx and Newport City Art Show. In 2020 I participated in the LA Art Show and I was fortunate enough to have sold 4 of the 5 pieces I had displayed. I also participated in LAArt Shows in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

I am a member of the, Palos Verdes Art Center, Artist Open Group and The Artists’ Studio of Palos Verdes. I have received a few awards including First Place in Manhattan Beach Art Show (2017) and Best Mixed Media at the Palos Verdes Art Center Summer Show. (2018) and The Kathy Reis Memorial Award for Painting at the Winter Show 2024, Palos Verdes Art Center.

I paint everyday, always trying to paint something beautiful.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me ,the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the interaction with people. As an art teacher, I love to nurture and uncover artistic talent that I believe everyone has. I taught a class for expelled junior high students. These students were in this class because of serious misbehavior. They were not motivated to learn to paint or do much that required effort. They told me over and over that they couldn’t paint or draw. But by the end of the term they all completed a self portrait. A big accomplishment that took perserverence and commitment. Something these students had rarely ,if ever, experienced in a school setting.

My adult students are more motivated, but lack confidence and are easily discouraged. But after awhile, they too come around. They may not be great painters, but they have learned to persist until they achieve something that they like. Some are now quite fearless!

Getting to know other artists has been another exceptional experience. Through art clubs, shows and classes I have made so many new friends. They enrich my life and broaden my view of what is art. So grateful for these new friends.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Exhibiting your work and being open to critique is not something that comes easily to me. In my profession, I was confident in my abilities and was reinforced with advancement and praise. Now as a painter, I display a painting with some trepidation. I know I like the work, but how will it be received? My husband doesn’t really like my work… until it sells. What I have learned is art is very personal. You never know what is going to sell. One of my paintings is really an all time favorite and has won an award, It has been displayed in a variety of settings, and yet it remains unsold.

I had a very abstract painting of the ocean. It was hanging in a booth with work from 5 other artists. All of a sudden a man comes running into the booth heading straight for my painting and loudly declares,”I want this painting!” Art is personal, and as an artist, you need a thick skin.

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: abstraction_art_by_janice

Image Credits

personal photos

Photo’s of work are by Janice Schultz

Photo of me by Vic Schultz