Channeling Artistic Vision into Mentoring Others

Ohio Eta JANET SIEGEL ROGERS stands in front of one of her paintings, which have been on display all over the United States and the world.

With a regal bearing and charming manner, artist JANET SIEGEL ROGERS, Ohio Eta, is as extraordinary as her paintings are unique. Janet was born in Oak Park, Illinois, where her artistic talents were recognized at a young age. She attended a high school program at the Art Institute of Chicago and later graduated from Denison University in Granville, Ohio, with a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art and English. She's a longtime member of the Boca Raton, Florida, Alumnae Club.

Travel, adventure and the birth of four children followed her marriage to college sweetheart Curt Rogers in 1960. Curt’s support for Janet’s creativity and artistic passion was constant as the family moved to Michigan, New York, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Singapore and finally Florida — a total of 17 homes as the couple approaches their 60 th wedding anniversary. While in New Jersey, Janet obtained a master’s degree from William Paterson University, where she also taught studio art. Janet then earned a Master of Fine Arts from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York.

Continuing to find inspiration in the teachings of Josef Albers and the Bauhaus creed, “less is more,” Janet seeks color interaction using a limited palette. Light affects perception of color in all painting, but in her luminous, glowing paintings the light is active from within the paint layers, energizing her glorious colors with an everchanging liveliness.

Working in her studio in the Pineapple Grove area of Delray Beach, Janet has been influenced by the Florida sky, waters and surrounding expanses. After much experimentation, Janet discovered that beeswax mixed with oil paint, known as encaustic painting, suspends layers of pigments and enhances her explorations of color and light. This process also holds the impression of her brushstroke, weaving rhythmic movement into a tapestry of texture. Her painting seems simple yet is intellectually and visually complex, her technique original in its application and ancient in its origins.

Janet places great importance on art education and mentoring others. She established the Visual Arts Magnet Program at Dillard School of the Arts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and developed its Advanced Placement Studio Art program. In 1993, Janet won the Broward County Arts Teacher of the Year Award in the fifth-largest accredited school district in the United States. Janet insists, “We can’t stop learning,” which is evident from her deeply held philosophies about painting, color interaction and art.

Janet’s selected solo exhibitions include several museums and noted galleries. Her works have been exhibited worldwide in London, Tokyo and Paris. Her most recent one-person show opened in Lakeland, Florida, in January 2020. Janet’s art is also currently showing in Palm Beach International Airport.

The overall effect of Janet's artistic process gives an illusion of color and emotion as the environment and the viewer interact with her paintings.