Janet Conway Rose
Janet has loved drawing since childhood. She is inspired daily by diverse subject matter, ranging from orchids & trees to fishing vessels in a harbor. In 2020, she began sketching and painting for 30 minutes each morning. In recent years, Janet has enjoyed experimenting with a variety of materials including graphite, inks, watercolors, gouache, and oil – in the studio and en plein air – developing styles from impressionistic to abstract. During the 2025 NC Plein Air Art Festival, Janet was honored to be awarded 1st Place in the Quick Paint/Paint Out, Open/Adult Category; and is honored to return as a participant this year.
Biography
Janet Conway Rose | Artist
Janet Conway Rose is a visual artist based in Wake Forest, North Carolina.
Her artwork includes experimental processes with gesso, graphite, inks, watercolors, gouache, oil, and cold wax – often combining materials to build layered surfaces – developing variety of styles from impressionistic to abstract. In March of 2020, Rose established a daily ritual of drawing and painting for thirty minutes each morning, with coffee and New Orleans’ jazz. Many of her early works during this period focused on studies of miniature orchids in morning sunlight, or walking to sketch trees on a nearby greenway trail along a creek. Her work is often inspired by nature and sunlight, which generated enthusiasm for plein air painting – with diverse subject matter ranging from coastal and mountain landscapes, to historic buildings and abundant gardens.
Rose’s connection to art began in childhood, shaped by the generous patience of family members, friends, and working artists who welcomed her curiosity.
She spent formative hours observing landscape and portrait artist, Zeno Spence, during annual Art in the Park events in her hometown of Goldsboro, NC.
Hours were spent on the docks in Oriental, NC, watching artist and sailor, Joe Cox, (Professor, NC State School of Design) as he conducted watercolor workshops.
Other artists who offered inspiration included:
Edith Stuart Shephard – Still Life Drawings
Gregg Kreutz – Art Students League, NYC – Workshop at Sertoma Arts Center, Raleigh, NC
Don Getz Workshop – Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, NC
Joe Miller – Artist and Writer | Journaling
Jim Crompton – Workshop at Carlton Gallery in Banner Elk, NC
These experiences instilled in Rose an enduring respect for process, experimentation, and the quiet power of attentive observation.
Meredith College | Department of Art & Interior Design | Raleigh, NC
East Carolina University | School of Art & Design | Greenville, NC
BFA in Interior Design | Concentration in Architectural Renovation | Minor in Printmaking
These foundations in spatial design, structure, and material exploration continue to inspire her approach to composition, lighting, layers, textures, and techniques.
2018
Meredith Hues Iris Alumnae Art Exhibition | Weems Art Gallery
Collection of Recent Work by 60 Artists | Students, Professors, Administrators and Alumnae
Janet Conway Rose | Artist and Co-Curator
Inspired by the ‘Meredith Hues’ bearded iris, hybridized and registered by Loleta Kenan Powell, Class of 1941.
Co-Curators | Lisa F. Pearce and Billie Jo Kennedy Cockman
2025
NC Plein Air Art Festival | New Bern, North Carolina
1st Place – Quick Paint | Paint Out | Open Adult Category
2026
NC Plein Air Art Festival | New Bern, North Carolina
Participating Artist | Watercolor, Oil, Mixed Media
Artist Statement
My creative process integrates daily observation and sketching, with experimentation – in the studio and en plein air – frequently inspired by nature. I enjoy creating mixed media artwork on a variety of substrates such as paper, stretched canvas, and cradled panels, pushing the boundaries of traditional styles of painting. Numerous paintings are developed with multiple layers of graphite, ink, paint, writing to incorporate thoughts, torn paper, and textiles. This exploration process also encompasses initial sketching or painting that may seem chaotic, then becomes more serene as additional layers are added.