Three by Three: Guest Artists in Focus
QUESTION 2. Resin and epoxy introduce gloss, depth, and unpredictability. What did working with those materials teach you that more traditional paint alone could not?
ANSWER 2. I have always loved science intermingled with art and of course that definitely brings out experimentation and play and I am drawn to the unpredictability of it which is the opposite of paint in some ways. I decided many years ago to be a perpetual student no matter what I am learning. I absolutely love the feeling of putting my hands (while wearing gloves) in thick epoxy to spread it around. It has also taught me to let go and throw caution to the wind (even though I might look like an alien in my respirator and hazmat suit!)
Jane Beals
Painter, Instructor, Mentor, Photographer, Sculptor, Creator, Manipulator of Mediums
MEDIUM: acrylic, oil, fluid acrylic, epoxy, clay, concrete, photography, fibre
BIO: Jane is a self taught mixed media artist who has taken a handful of classes from other Nova Scotian artists and has been painting their entire life. They prefer working with a variety of mediums, they use acrylic and oil paint, fluid acrylic (pour painting), gold and silver leafing, epoxy, clay, concrete, photography, fibre, and watercolour painting on and off over the years. They are a true Gemini with all its dualities. They harbour no prejudices as we were all put on this earth for a purpose no matter the colour of our skin nor our sexual orientation, everyone brings something unique to the mix and it would be boring if we were all made from the same cookie cutter. They want their art to evoke emotion and its vibrancy to bring joy. They believe everyone should have access to art and its mental positive abilities. They have lived in the Annapolis Valley, NS, Canada for their lifetime. Regarding AI, I don't call it AI, I call it plagiarism software, because that is what it is.
FACEBOOK: JaneBealsArt
QUESTION 3. Choosing to move toward full-time artistry in 2026 is a major shift. What belief about yourself did you have to let go of in order to make that decision feel possible?
ANSWER 3. I had to let go of everyone else's beliefs and opinions of me. When I was younger, I was told that art is not a career, art is not something you make money off of, art is not something to head toward, it is lovely but it won't pay your bills. However, sometimes life makes plans for you that you never fathomed in a million years would happen. I am in the middle of a divorce after almost 40 years of being together, we sold our matrimonial home that had been in my family for 81 years and then I lost my part time job that I absolutely loved (this all happened within the last 5 months of 2025). So, the universe was just clearing my plate for bigger and better things and both doing art and teaching it feeds my soul and 2026 is all about me and sharing my art with others.
QUESTION 1. You speak openly about art as a therapeutic force tied to mental health. How has committing to a daily or regular practice changed the way you move through difficult periods?
ANSWER 1. I tend to lose all sense of time when I am creating, it just melts away, my mind is clear and my body is almost in a state of suspension, I don't think about responsibilities, stress, when or what I am going to eat or even if I am hungry for that matter. When I was younger I only created when the feeling struck me or I was "in the mood" but after my boss lost his battle with mental illness (25 years ago), it gave me a sense of life is too short and we need to foster and encourage our passions, even when we don't really feel like it, starting is half the battle!
Lily Pond, Oil on Canvas, 2021, 30" x 40"
Goodbye Beast, mixed-media on acrylic pour, 2023, 10" x 10"
Copper Epoxy Geode, 2019, 18" x 24"
All copyright and reproduction rights are reserved by Jane Beals.
Artwork may not be reproduced in any form without the artist's express written permission.
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