SARATOGA SPRINGS – Artist Janet Broussard is traveling from her home in Texas to the Spa Fine Art Gallery on Broadway in Saratoga Springs for an artist reception and a live painting demo on Saturday, July 25. This is the perfect opportunity to learn about the artistic process and what goes on in the artist’s head as she works.
Beginning in the afternoon and going until the evening, visitors to the Gallery can watch Broussard finish several paintings and also ask her questions. Broussard acknowledges that “as an artist, it can be hard to explain your work,” so this demo allows viewers to see Broussard in action and how she creatively develops a painting into a finished product.
Keeping in line with her impressionist style, Broussard focusses on light and shadow as well as emphasizing surface texture and line-quality. Broussard paints every day and her usual method is to apply the paint thickly, often letting it dry before she breaks up lines with the end of her paintbrush to give each painting a sense of “movement and energy.”
“Sometimes while working on a painting it’s like a good book, you can’t put it down,” Broussard said. “When I’m done with a painting I feel a sense of accomplishment and pride.”
Broussard discovered in grade school that she wanted to be an artist and always had a passion for horses, continuously drawing them until she got it just right. Her love of horses is obvious through her work as is her fascination with painting still-life objects. She began painting still-life fruit and vegetables after working in conjunction with a restaurant that was promoting “farm to table” eating.
“Still-life forces you to see 3D shapes and flatten them out. This took a while for me to grasp actually. Once you see a still-life as a series of shapes, it becomes much easier to give them form and mass visually,” Broussard explained.
Besides still-life and equestrian, Broussard also likes to paint landscapes and architecture. On her weeklong visit to Saratoga, she plans on painting some of the local landmarks and scenery in the area.
“I’m really looking forward to coming to Saratoga. Just getting to know the area and soaking up the atmosphere. I guess I’ll be the quintessential tourist with a camera,” Broussard joked. “There are gorgeous mansions, beautiful parks, like Congress Park. It’s such a picturesque town.”
In regards to advice for aspiring artists, Broussard said, “Find an artist you like and copy their work. See how they mix and apply paint and really try to understand their process. If you do that, it’s almost like studying with them.”
Janet Broussard’s reception and live demo are free and open to the public. From 6 to 9 p.m. there will be champagne and refreshments served. Broussard’s artwork will also be on display and available for purchase. For more information, please call 518-587-2411 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
