Janice Orchard is an Australian artist who specialises in the modern impressionist style with a touch of realism.
She teaches classes in oil, watercolour, acrylic and pastel as well as drawing techniques. Living in the Bass Coast region of Victoria, Janice is also available for workshops and loves to travel to interesting locations to paint in the landscape.
The KernArt Prize
Boots Series
Since the beginning of KernArt, an art exhibition set up to raise funds to help children with mental health in 2016, Janice Orchard has been producing a painting on the theme of "boots", an icon representing the farming community in which she lives. Read the stories behind the paintings.
Gumboots
2016 SOLD
In 2016 there was a recession in the dairy industry and our local farmers were hurting. KernArt came to be in response to a need in our community and we raised funds for the “Look Over the Farm Gate” initiative.
“Gumboots” was painted after the artist, Janice Orchard visited a local farm and saw these boots on a rack at the back door. They represent all the generations of farmers who worked the land to feed the country.
And the Rains Came
2017 SOLD
Again, the gumboots represent family. The frogs in this painting signal a return to a healthy environment after drought when rain brings life to the parched land.
Chooks in Boots
2018 SOLD
It had been a good year for the farmers, hence the happy chooks, a sign of productivity. Their quirky expressions are joyful and full of personality.
Run, Dance, Play 2019 SOLD
With mental health in the spotlight, KernArt shifted the focus of fundraising to helping the children of parents receiving help for their own mental health. Partnering with Bass Coast Regional Health the funds raised from the KernArt Prize art show went to programs aimed at providing children in this situation with what they need, such as sports club membership, uniforms, school camp fees and things that allow them to join their peers in activities that bring them joy and increased self confidence.
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Boots and Birds
2021 SOLD
With the Covid 19 pandemic forcing lock downs across all states of Australia, KernArt was postponed in 2020, and in 2021 it was held as an online virtual art show.
In Boots and Birds we see the story of what happened as the rural holiday homes were closed to the city visitors. With the absence of people, the birds moved in, reclaiming their domain.
Federation Bouquet
2022 SOLD
With the closing of all borders in Australia, family and friends were separated for extended periods of time to halt the spread of Covid. This painting represents the opening of borders and Australians reuniting.
The blue boot in the painting is the main colour of the Australian flag and holds the floral emblems for all the states and territories, joined in a riot of colour.
The Royal Bluebell, representing the Australian Capital Territory, Red Waratah for New South Wales, Sturts Desert Rose, Northern Territory, the Cooktown Orchid for Queensland, Sturts Desert Pea, South Australia, the flowering Blue Gum for Tasmania, Pink Heath for Victoria and Western Australia’s emblem, Kangaroo Paw.
And right in the middle holding them all together is Golden Wattle, the floral emblem of Australia.