Jan Keller Schultz, LCSW, is a recently retired clinical social worker who has specialized in working with children, adolescents, and families. Jan has been taking Sumi-e art classes at the Art Center Highland Park for three years with instructor Kay Thomas. What attracted Jan to Sumi-e was a description in the TAC brochure of the class as being “more than a technique… but also a spiritual journey.” Always a lover of nature and an avid gardener, Jan finds the Sumi-e has helped her be more keenly aware of the shapes and structure of the natural world. Painting has contributed to a sense of relaxation and wellness.
While many Sumi-e artists use medium to large painting surfaces, Jan prefers to paint on smaller surfaces and focus in on details. Her paintings portray a variety of eclectic subjects, including landscapes, nature studies and cityscapes.
Jan’s artwork has been showcased along with other members of Sumi-e Midwest at a number of North Shore venues including the Heller Nature Center, the Deer Path Art Gallery, and First Bank of Highland Park. She has been selected for juried shows at Art in the City at Highland Park City Hall, and “Fact or Fiction” at TAC. Her paintings have been displayed at the Midwest Palliative Care Center, the Written Word show at the Art Post Gallery in Glenview and three shows at the North Suburban YMCA’s Community Gallery for Taste of Asia.