Janna Robins Walters

I have been creating stories and making art since childhood, studied graphic design and illustration, then became involved with work in the arts – as a graphic designer, illustrator, teacher, arts administrator, curator, and art consultant – before recently re-emerging as a full-time painter.
In my studio five days a week, I begin each artwork without a preconceived end result. Oftentimes inspired by a small area or detail of a sketch or canvas I already made, I dive into experimentation and exploration, getting lost in the flow.
I often focus on depicting objects that – for me – signify people, embodiments of calm and happiness, in familiar spaces that feel personal and soothing. I see my artworks as imbued with compassion and humanity, an antidote to the disruptions of current events. And I hope viewers will feel drawn in, encouraged to look deeper, to make personal discoveries, to escape the present moment, and to remain open to multiple interpretations.

2018-2024 Project Art, Toronto, ON
1994-1996 Toronto School of Art, Toronto, ON
1995 Artist-in-Residence (watercolour), Grand
Manan, NB
1990 Drawing courses, Ontario College of Art and Design,
Toronto, ON
1987 Certificate in Graphic Arts, Sheridan College,
Toronto, ON
1984 Honours Certificate in Illustration, Rhode Island School
of Design, Providence, RI
1983-1987 BFA Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY

Exhibitions

2024. Deck the Walls, Newzones Gallery of Contemporary
Art
2024. Artwk.ca Holiday
2023. Deck the Walls Newzones Gallery of Contemporary
Art
2024 Artist Project Toronto
2024. Toronto Outdoor Art Fair
2023. Gallery 133 inc
2023. Artist Project Toronto
2023. Toronto Outdoor Art Fair
2022 Twist Gallery, Toronto, ON
Toronto Outdoor Art Fair, Toronto, ON
Artist Project, Toronto, ON

artwrk.ca Holiday show
2021 Artist Project, Toronto, ON
2022. New Faces Newzones Gallery of Contemporary Art
artwrk.ca Holiday Show (online)
2020 Toronto Outdoor Art Fair, Toronto, ON
Gallery 1313, Toronto, ON
Kontort Space, Toronto, ON
2019/2020 Mellah Projects, Toronto, ON

1990 The Gallery Wall, Toronto, ON
2019 Partial Gallery (online)
Project Art, Toronto, ON
John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto, ON
Artist Project, Toronto, ON
2017 Karma Creative, United Church, ON
1990 Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, ON
Denison Gallery, North York, ON
Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, Toronto, ON
1989 Toronto Outdoor Art...