I was born in the old Summerland Hospital. Many of you never knew that beautiful little place that overlooked the lake. The one and only girl in the three Blagborne families that settled here post WW2. Bruce, Ken and Don Blagborne.
I was so fortunate to grow up in this environment, the orchards and the lake. That is where my love of nature sprang from, I'm convinced. My art reflects my interest in birds, animals and and trees.
Working all over BC as a nurse has finally brought me home again. Luckily, I was able to purchase a small house close to town. I've been back for 20 years this year! I look around Summerland now at the changes. I cringe every time I hear a chainsaw and the commercial wood chipper cutting down yet another old healthy tree.
Our society lacks value in nature and and its gifts. I hope in some way, my artwork can stimulate our residents to stop staring at their cell phones and engage with this incredible valley we live in.
Artist Statement:
"Can't remember when I have not done some form of artwork." Kitchen table as a tot, under the interested eye of my mother Ilene who always encouraged me in anything artistic; Painting everything possible from yard rocks to the eagle on my brother's 1951 Ford pick-up truck box.
My intention and goal as a work career was to become a commercial artist. As with all aspirations, ofen funding falls short. To support my goal I trained as an RN believing that was just a way to pay the bills, an art career would become my realjob. As with all great plans, some are never achieved. After nurses' training, marriage and work took the place of an art career.
Two sons and six grandchildren later, I want to fullfill another dream on my bucket list; to have a showing of my artwork. Everyone knows me as "Jane" the nurse, mother, wife, grandmother and now nursing instructor. Few people know the artistic side of me. I am not doing this for financial gain but to hear those words "I didn't know you were an artist!"
