Paul was in Elizabethtown, at Jansen Art Studio, sharpening his skills, and came the phone call for me to attend a world famous Jansen cookout. So, Cathy, Gabe and I made the trek to Etown, from Eburg! We were warmly greeted by painters from all over the US and Canada. Arlene, Jean, Joanne, Penny, Jessica (David’s daughter), Carol and Karen, along with Paul and David greeted us warmly and then ushered us upstairs. There, Martha was preparing any number of delightful foods! She proceeded to tell us of humorous stories from the seminar, including Karen and Arlene’s mishap with cereal, now forever known as “The Great Cereal Incident”! Martha, you have a way of making everyone feel at home in an instant (especially when I saw you abusing Paul
Martha then told me to get out my camera and “go nuts!” Well, needless to say, I did!

David and Martha's bedroom
What you instantly start to understand as you walk around their house, is that David’s artistic talent is not human. Just when you think you have seen the best piece, something else jumps up and bites you in the nose! The other thing is that you know these are good people with a heart for sharing. David and I shared several conversations where I witnessed firsthand the giving spirit that comes gushing out of him! The interaction of he and Martha together is just as special as their individual personalities. Enough of my incessant babbling…more pictures!

Guest bedroom: Inspired by artist Peter Ompir

Gorgeous faux-marquetry secretary...don't forget to look at all the little pieces beside, on top of, under, etc. the main pieces!

A veritable feast for the eye. The dark fire screen is a Peter Ompir Original.
As you can see, the Jansen house is a museum, but without the airs often found in traditional art museums! I returned to the studio, and continued to watch David teach. They were painting nuthatches! While they were painting, I got to look at Joanne’s Zhostovo paintings (beautiful), Penny’s portraits (WOW!) and more of David’s paintings. The following picture is of the seminar piece that everyone was painting. This is David’s completed version….it jumps right off the canvas. It is so vibrant and beautiful, I can’t describe it!

How beautiful!

This pie safe was one of my favorite pieces.
And so, after teaching all day, David is the selected grill master as well! He grilled, while Paul and I “supervised.” Let me just tell you that David’s knife made Lorena Bobbitt’s knife look like plasticware! Now, I knew that David had a thing or two up on Paul when it comes to painting, but to be bested in grilling, too? Paul, you should be ashamed!
Soon it was time for food! Steak, chicken, sausage, burgers, and grilled salmon. Salads, fruit, side dishes, desserts! Let me just say that I hurt! After dinner, the discussion obviously turned toward the decorative painting industry. We solved all of the industry’s problems in just a few short hours. (Ha ha.) But we all decided that if decorative painting is to flourish, and it will, we need to make sure that along with pulling one whale of a comma stroke, we need to have fun. Paul, David and I decided that we will publish a 2011 “Men of Decorative Painting” calendar. Let your mind travel where it will!!! Here is the cover shot for the calendar.

David Jansen, Paul Seymour, and Tom Nagy
As always, thanks for reading, and have a great day!