Commissioned paintings comments

Regarding Erinn - who is leaving class for college this Fall. Thank you sooo much for everything that you have done for her. You have made her into an amazing artist and a better student. Also, I am confident that her artistic skills are what tipped the scales in her favor for (being accepted into) Smith. Thank you! XXOO Jenna H. SLC, UT

Student Comment. For the past few years, my older children had been taking summer classes from Jan. When my youngest joined, I decided to do it, too. My first art class - What a fun time! I loved tackling a new part of my project every week and could have just sat there and enjoyed the relaxing, absorbing experience of being in a creative zone. Jan gave me great pointers and helped me capture what I was trying to convey. And at the end, I was as proud of my kids' efforts as I was of mine. Thank you Jan! Jewel A.

Jan, I love both of my paintings and have already hung them in my home. I placed Aspens right by my front door. My daughter thinks it is fabulous and she is usually not so expressive. She wants us to make sure we make the area as open as possible so that the painting isn't in anyway obscured. She was really cute about it. I also found a great place for the other painting. You are truly a remarkable artist and a very special person. All my best, Laura N. SLC, UT

Student Comment: "I look forward to going to my art class that is held every Saturday morning. I enjoy being with the other students in the class. I think that Jan is a great instructor, she supports and encourages me as a student and as an individual. We have a good time in class. Jan gives me the time and attention that I want and need - I feel I am becoming an artist." Ruth M. (this is Ruth's first colored pencil drawing)

Print buyer: "Jan, I saw both of the prints I ordered, framed, in an office and I can't tell you what they did to my heart - I wrote down your name from the prints and rushed home to my internet and looked up your name. They touched my heart, I am truly in love: you are absolutely well past talented.
Anyone who comes in contact with your talent and is not touched would have to be heartless or blind. . .I'll let you know when the cats arrive." Cheers, Candy, Alberta, Canada,

My dogs: " Shadow, Wasatch and Toby are my wonderful dogs. I've used this painting to demonstrate my technique with for the past few years and I finally decided to add Toby (the little white girl) who is my newest addition and finish the painting. All of my doggy darlings will be 9 years old this Summer. I just finished this today!" Jan Henderson,

Commission client: "The portrait of my late beloved Emma captures my living memories of her serene loving being. It is if I can still gaze into her eyes everyday. If I had to take only a few belongings with me her portrait would be among them. Thank you very much!" Tanya K.

Student comment: "Jan, I just wanted to thank you for inspiring both of my girls to take on art - as a way of life. You have done this by noticing their strengths, believing in them and showing them a way that is all their own as they continue to grow as artists. You have allowed them to shine. They absolutely love coming to class every week. Please do not ever stop teaching." Allison H.

Donated art: "Hi Jan, I had to stop right now and tell you how you blew me away !! Your landfillart project is fantastic !! There is a small crowd around your art right now as I'm e-mailing you !!! Your participation in this global artist reclamation project is greatly appreciated! I will continue to stay in touch." Sincerely, Ken Marquis www.landfillart.org This was painted on an old hubcap. It is the goal of Landfill Art to have artists from every state, and now country, create their own unique art from a hubcap. A great 'brain strain' and a fun project to work on. Thanks, Ken for stretching my silly self-imposed limits! Jan

Print buyer: "Hi Jan, My sister is excitedly awaiting the arrival of Soul Mates. She is visiting from Germany and saw the print framed at a store at our Mall in Virginia Beach. She fell in love with it, but there was no unframed print available to take in her suitcase. We goggled and found your web site and the picture. We hope it arrives by next week, which would be in time for her journey back to Germany. We loved looking at all of your pictures, they are beautiful." Thank you. P. Thomas,

Print buyer: "Hello, I have two of your cat paintings, the black leopard in what looks like snow, and a thoughtful and loving white tiger with head on giant paws. I am writing to thank you for somehow ethereally tying into my two cats and our lives together in the 90s: the white tiger looks out at me from the painting just like my little Balou used to look at me, totally trusting and kind, and the black leopard looks out at me like my little Bob used to look at me, Venalities, needing me. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you. My husband and I have always marveled at how you captured a quality that you never even witnessed, from both of my cats at that time. It has been lovely and strange to see these works everyday for the past six years, and I thank God for your sensibility. The moment I can afford to purchase more of your images, I will." Thanks again. Deb Wilder

Commission client: "I just found this on my computer and wanted to send it to you. Thank you again for the amazing drawing of Max." (Max sitting in front of his painting.) Veronica D., Coleyville, TX

Commission client: "Dear Jan, you have done a wonderful portrayal of our lovely cat, Jima. You captured the soft, glistening texture of her coat, and the intelligence of the Abyssinian cat." Carl K., Salt Lake City, UT

Commission client: "When I saw the painting I was blown away and breathless. It brought tears to my eyes. You really captured her sweet spirit and her love for pinecones. I was completely overwhelmed by your work and it way surpassed my expectations. I can't wait to having you work on my labs and to see my husbands expression on Christmas morning when he opens this painting". Laura B., Franktown, CO

Commission client: "Hi Jan, Received the painting. . .cannot believe how you captured each dogs eyes and personality!!! I cried all the way home, you captured Hannah as though she is going to pop out of the picture! Ralph and I feel she has been brought back to us. . .we will treasure this forever! Thank you so much!!!" Barb & Ralph L., Santa Rosa, CA

Commission client: "Dearest Jan, I pulled a really great funny on my husband. He got home & we were talking & then I said "Oh, honey, I have to show you something." But I was serious & he thought it was pertaining to an issue with a family member & I, of course, let him think that. I unveiled the painting & his jaw dropped like mine did at your house. All he could say was "your parents are going to freak out & they are also going to cry". He thought it was as perfect as I do.

Jan, I have to be honest, I had a talk with myself to be prepared if it wasn't what I wished it to be. Perhaps not capturing the personality. But, oh my God, it is perfect". Diana T., Park City, UT

Original buyer: "Love is the impression I had when I first saw Jan Henderson's art work, you know the feeling when it goes right to the core of your art heart and speaks to you. It infused a sense of knowing that I would forever be changed. I now own and display many of her incredible works in my home. Love is the right word." Greg Nelson, Holladay, UT

Commission client: "It was just what I wanted when I talked to Jan on the style. I'm a multi painting buyer from Jan." Lance Dean, Coppell, TX

Commission client: "Last Summer, my wife and I were sitting in the back yard having a glass of wine and congratulating each other on the completion of our new storage shed/work shop. One of us said, wouldn't that wall look great with a nautical mural? The next thing you know we called Jan, worked out the details, and presto chango... we had a fantastic mural.

The mural has become the centerpiece of our backyard parties. Our neighbors even bring their friends to the back yard to show it off. Thanks, Jan - we love you and your work. JR & Sue Reynolds, Sugarhouse, UT

Commission client: "She captured the unique and individual personality of each of my pets. It brought tears to my eyes when I saw my two cats that had recently passed away and she had brought them back to life. All eight paintings are a wonderful addition to my home." Amanda T. & Steven P. SLC, UT

A few comments about commissioned paintings.