Meet Jan Kornegay Dappen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jan Kornegay Dappen.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Born a Southern girl from Georgia, I had a dream and a passion to paint and draw for as long as I can remember. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough confidence in my early talent and abilities to truly pursue a career until most of my peers were close to retirement. I received an honorable mention at the county fair when I was in the first or second grade because they didn’t believe I drew the entry alone. My mother was furious! I grew up playing outside all day long coming in only for meals and when the street lights turned on. I spent a lot of time doodling and drawing, chatting and ending up in the cloakroom writing the sentence “I will not talk in class” at least a million times. No worries, I quickly developed a technique where I could hold three positioned pencils at one time and cut the task into a third required.

After high school, I studied Nursing during my first attempt at college but trying to date and work to support my bills didn’t provide enough time to study. I will later go back with my daughter and graduate suma cum laude. At twenty I gave birth to Stefi, a charming little red-headed baby girl that has Down’s Syndrome, a severe case that left her severely mentally and physically impaired. Stefi would change my life and future in many ways not expected, but mostly for the positive. Providing for Stefi’s every need, becoming her advocate in life taught me to trust more in myself and proved I was capable, that I was smart and could do what was needed…boosting my confidence level. My first marriage only lasted about 4 years and I soon met my life partner, Rick, my soldier boy from Ft. Benning. We had another daughter, Jessica and another red headed child, our son RJ. The five of us lived in Germany for 11 years along with 2 dogs.

While living in Germany, we were honored to take first place as the “Family of the Year” for the Greater Stuttgart Military Community. Most of the time, my artwork was put on hold, but I did a few sketches and sold a few portraits. My very first showing was in Frankfurt, Germany. However, I quickly discovered my children needed my attention more and I was perfectly happy and satisfied with the job of mothering and supporting my military spouse. Our children are my greatest masterpieces! When Rick was called to the first conflict, Operation Desert Storm, the kids and I stayed behind in Stuttgart waiting and praying.

‘Life moves on’ as my son wrote in a little bio while his father was deployed, sometimes faster than we want but the kids moved out, got married and had six amazing grandchildren. Rick had long retired from the Army and was finishing up with his second career as an American Airline pilot. As for me and Stefi, I had to make the most difficult decision of my life after suffering from constant back pain. I placed Stefi at age 24 in a residential home, just recently moving her closer to me at an amazing facility, Annandale Village, in skilled nursing. As hard as it was to leave the kids, Rick and I built our dream cabin in the mountains and I finally had the space and time to paint…not to mention the perfect surroundings out my front and back door.

Oils always seemed so challenging when the children were underfoot but it was a medium that I really wanted to attempt so I taught myself by watching You-tube videos. I instantly fell in love. I sold a couple of paintings, started showing my work at festivals and hanging my work at a local vineyard and a hair salon. I was lucky to get a Commission to paint Popcorn Sutton, a well-known moonshiner from Maggie Valley, NC. His prints were a hit at the festivals, online and in places that hung my art. My portrayal of Popcorn was easily recognizable. Another lucky break was the Vineyards started taking off in our little town. Cartecay Vineyards started hanging my originals and prints and asked me to teach Wine and Canvas Classes quarterly! We had so much fun, I now give private wine and canvas classes and at Gilmer Arts as well. Teaching Classes as a substitute and supply teacher for years provided me with many skills I would need teaching art.

Another vineyard commissioned me to paint a 9.5’ x 11’ Mural in oil on their cellar door in the winery! You will find me standing in front of the Mural with 3 of my grandchildren here in the photos. It was challenging and I was on scaffolding for almost 11 days during a three-week interval! When the owners of Chateau Meichtry approached me to paint the mural, My 6 year-old grandson had just been diagnosed with Stage 4 T-cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma a few weeks before. The owners were kind and caring enough to work with our frequent trips back and forth from our cabin in the mountains to Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital to be with my daughter and her son during treatment. Meanwhile, the owners, a family team, are saving all the tips collected for several months and donating them to my daughter’s family to help them through this difficult journey. They not only held a fundraiser for my grandson but give regularly to St. Jude’s. While painting this mural, I was able to relieve my stress, calm my nerves and pray a lot! The composition was perfect…A light at the end of the tunnel through a winery. I needed that ‘light’ in my life. It is my hope to give back something in return for what all my community has done for my family.

In June of 2015, Gilmer Arts held their first annual Plein Air Event along with the Vineyards. Artists came to paint in the Vineyards from different locations. I had never had the need to paint fast, so this was a new experience for me. I started reading about Plein air and practicing in my own back yard. Luckily, God has painted a magnificent masterpiece right outside my windows and deck. All I have to do is copy his work! I am a realist painter, so it was difficult at first to give up some of the details. Through Plein Air and a couple of classes with Plein Air Artists at Gilmer Arts and artist friends, I have learned not everything I see is important and how to weed out those things that aren’t offering anything to the artwork. The First year, I won a ‘Vintners’ Choice Award’ for (Sunshine Bridge on Cartecay Vineyard) The Third year, I won ‘Best in Show’ for (River Street Tavern). This year I got an honorable mention by the Judge for my Quick Draw Competition (Courtney’s Gate). Painting outside in the fresh air with other artists is one of the most satisfying artistic events for me and …my favorite. Learning, sharing and now, even helping others sometimes, is so rewarding! I am so honored when someone really ‘gets’ my painting, feels that part of me.

Last year, a new vineyard approached me to paint their vineyard in hopes of using the image in a design for their labels. Three labels were designed with my online photographer/friend and partner from Mylor Bridge, UK. Terri Waters designed and prepared the new labels. Ott Farms and Vineyard will open in September. Since then, I have had another painting “Pink Knob” featured as their Christmas label at Chateau Meichtry.

The Painting that was featured in Voyage Phoenix is my “Arizona Wildflowers”. While driving thru the Lost Dutchman State Park with our friends from San Tan Valley, I snapped tons of pictures of the vast beauty Arizona has to offer, but this one was asking to be painted first. I love the opportunity to use my pallet knife and they are perfect for those rocky monoliths. This 24 x 33 oil on Belgium linen was accepted in the Gilmer Annual Juried Art Show this past February. I am anxious to start another one from Arizona… so many choices… not enough time!

Since childhood, I have been drawn to rustic, old and rural scenes. That picture I entered in the fair when I was little was actually a graphite drawing of a barn and pig pen. Painting portraits of people and animals are a favorite as well. There is a passion that comes from within that seems to have been put on hold for so long, that now, my desire to paint and create or recreate seems to be constantly bursting to get out. I am lost in a zone when I paint. And when I don’t, I’m working a painting in my mind… I even dream of which colors and brushstroke to use. When I travel anywhere, my brain is clicking images and storing them for future use. It’s consuming. It’s fulfilling! It’s amazing! However, without the help, support and encouragement of my Loving husband, Richard, my mother, my children, my entire family and friends, I couldn’t do this! I am also very grateful for my husband who, as he says, does everything but paint. His Brother and Wife (Don and Sue), my friend Bobbie are always there at the festivals helping me every year! My wish for all my grandchildren is to grab that desire, go for it and believe in themselves and what they can accomplish.

Most importantly, I am Blessed in talent, in love and best of all, my grandson Drewby takes his last Chemo this month after 2 and a half long years! It was a journey I would not wish on anyone, especially a child. He is now an Ambassador for “Swim Across America” and a Rally Kid raising funds for Children Cancer. I had to laugh at my little hero when I showed him my painting featured in this magazine. He said, “Omi, we are both famous!” However, He is truly the Hero and a Miracle! Life is good! God is Awesome!

To all those taking the time to read this and VoyagePhoenix, Thanks for letting me share and please visit my online gallery at jandappen.com

Please tell us about your art.
I enjoy using any medium, pencil brush or pastel; however oil painting is my favorite. I’m a realist with my own style. Although I am self-taught, I can thank You-tube for an introduction on how to paint with oils. After a couple of two-day classes with some well-known Plein Air Artist in the state, I’m learning to sift out the things in an image that do not add to the overall artwork, focusing only on what is important to tell the story. The story is what I hope people walk away with when they see my work. Feeling the emotion and hearing what the painting tells me is another aspect I hope they experience. It may affect them differently than it does me that is okay too! I love painting rural scenes. Especially old barns, home, churches and small town buildings. These old rustic scenes tell a story, have a history that is worth preserving and keeping alive. Capturing God’s creation on canvas is most rewarding.

I also love watching people, studying their faces, old and new, their bodies and movement! Portraits are the most challenging, but probably the most rewarding. When I get the right look, I capture their character and soul and see the delight in my customer’s face, I am reminded why I paint. Even if I have never met the subject I am painting, I feel like I know them personally by the time I finish with their portrait. I become infused in each painting. I feel like I have given part of my heart and soul to each canvas. Finding the perfect perspective, the best lighting and shadows, a subject that speaks to me… that makes my painting better before I even get started. Why do I paint? I truly have no choice. I have very little control. It is something inside that I feel needs to be on the inside. I have a gift, I am Blessed, I know I should share that gift and I am grateful.

As an artist, how do you define success and what quality or characteristic do you feel is essential to success as an artist?
I have often heard that artist must have thick skins to endure the criticism and succeed. Unfortunately, that is probably helpful. You must keep in mind that your art must speak to you first before they speak to others and even then, it’s all subjective. However perseverance, a passion in your work and life, confidence and belief in yourself is what I feel is most important to succeed! When you truly call yourself an artist, you are almost there. Seeing someone linger at my artwork, watching them relate and react, having a child stop at my booth and ask me how they can become an artist too, my grandchildren asking me to paint or draw something for them…these are the things that tell me I have succeeded. When I personally know I got it right and I know I can put the brush away…when I feel I made someone else truly happy too…then, I have succeeded in what I wanted to accomplish!

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I welcome everyone to visit my website. This is the best and easiest place to see my work.

You can also find me at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Google.

If you are In Ellijay and Talking Rock, GA you can see my paintings and prints at Cartecay Vineyards, Chateau Meichtry Vineyards, Gilmer Arts, Watersongs Salon, New Ground Market, Mountain Treasure and the Gallery Cafe in Buckhead.

You can also find me at the Bear on the Square Festival in Dahlonega, GA, Plein Air in the Mountains in Ellijay in June, the Crush Festival at the Cartecay Vineyard, Labor Day weekend, and Apple Arts on the Square in Ellijay in October. I teach wine and Canvas classes at the Cartecay Vineyard, Gilmer Arts and private parties. Dates and times of special Juried Events and other shows scheduled can be found on my website and on my Facebook page. I hope to soon have work accepted at the Juried GA National Fair in Macon this October.

If you find yourself at any of these events, please say hello and tell me you read this feature. If you are not nearby, please visit my website, Facebook or any other social media. If you sign up for an email subscription or contact me, I will be happy to send you a discount code. Many Thanks to VoyagePhoenix for allowing me to share.

Contact Info:

• Address: Somewhere in a cabin in the North Georgia Mountains in Ellijay, GA
• Website: jandappen.com
• Phone: 6787783711
• Email: jan.dappen8@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artjans/
• Facebook: Facebook.com/JansArt.069
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArtDappen
• Other: https://plus.google.com/+JanDappen

Image Credit:
Jan Kornegay Dappen

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