Janell Lumley, of Walnut Creek, says, “I was the child who always wanted to draw or read rather than run and play.” Life intervened and she returned to creating once her family was raised. She began by taking oil painting classes a dozen years ago and is delighted that she still loves the experience of painting in a group. “I think the friendships I have developed in class are the best reward I get from painting and the main reason I will continue,” says Lumley.

Prior to COVID-19 Lumley and her husband traveled extensively, always with copious picture taking. As she derives most of her subjects from the photographs on their travels, keeping her work fresh is a built-in bonus. She considers painting an experiment rather than a science and like many artists, is always working to learn and improve. She says she paints for the fun of it, and that is okay. To like a painting without analyzing it or getting the artist’s meaning. Analyzing and taking herself or her painting too seriously is not her style.

Déjà Vu is the feeling that one has already lived through the present situation before. Perhaps you will experience déjà vu after viewing Lumley‘s paintings in her June 2021 exhibit.