The Artists
Janet Richardson-Baughman
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Janet Richardson-Baughman
A move to an eighty-acre farm in Western Michigan from Detroit suited Janet Richardson Baughman to a tee. She and her three siblings loved country life, and relished the many humorous adjustments to their new surroundings. The one-room schoolhouse she attended, for example, contrasted sharply to her earlier city school. Sports programs had been fairly sophisticated in the city. Rural sports consisted of her teacher piling everyone in her car, including the trunk, and then driving the children to another one-room schoolhouse for games. When Janet reached the sixth grade, a chapter in American history closed because all of the one-room schoolhouses were annexed by the nearest cities, but that unusual educational experience is something Janet fondly remembers.
Growing up in a family that was very artistic, it is not surprising that Janet loved drawing. She and her brothers and sisters would make Christmas decorations for the Christmas tree and had ongoing art projects all year long. Her architect father was an artist in his free time. As the children have become adults, they are all involved in artistic endeavors from carving to sculpture.
Janet's high school years were spent riding and showing her horses. "That was my life," she says. Living on the farm allowed her freedom to indulge her love of animals including the dogs that were so special to her. Active in 4H, Janet became an accomplished seamstress and an excellent cook. She took no art classes in high school although she sometimes helped her father with drafting.
Starting college with the intention of majoring in speech and drama, Janet took an art class only because it was required. She found the art classes so appealing that she took one after another. Eventually, having taken every art class offered, the university had to design independent studies for her.
With her beloved horses back on the farm, Janet discovered a new passion, and that was ceramics. First working as a waitress during college to earn income, Janet later became a Student Assistant and lived at the Ceramics Studio. As an assistant, she would make clay and glazes, fire the kiln, and assist the instructor however she could. At first, she had planned to become a high school teacher, but she was encouraged to earn her graduate degree and pursue her artistic endeavors, in addition to teaching. Janet graduated in 1975 with a BFA in Ceramics and Weaving from Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, MI.
Following her mentor's advise, she went to Indiana State University in Indiana for her graduate work where she studied under Dick Hay. Demanding, but very laid back personally, he expected a lot from Janet, and she grew from his expectations. She joined the National Council for Education in the Ceramic Arts ( NCECA) which is a ceramics networking organization. It has a national conference each year where ceramists, educators and studio artists meet. She was on the Board of Directors for two years. Janet received her MFA in 1977.
Moving back to Western Michigan, Janet found teaching positions with various colleges and taught art history, ceramics and a myriad of classes. However, she never forgot her mentor's advise which was to continue her craft. Janet met a businessman/artist, John Baughman, who sold her artwork around the country. Janet bought a studio and her work was selling so well that she no longer needed to supplement her income with teaching. Janet and John had a business relationship for several years until life took one of those magical twists, and their relationship blossomed into much more. Later, the two of them were married.
John and Janet bought acreage and moved to the country. Turning one of their buildings into a studio, the pair became extremely successful influencing them to concentrate only on their artwork and discontinue the sales end of his business. Rosenbaum Fine Art made them an offer they couldn't refuse, and the opportunity for them to work together was irresistible. Janet says it has been very, very good for them and has caused different things to happen. The challenges of commissions make her think in directions that it is unlikely she would have done on her own.
Janet is an extremely talented artist. It is difficult to believe when one sees her pastel, mixed media of pencil, oils and collage landscapes done on paper that this is the same artist that designs and makes very sophisticated and stylized ceramics. The natural beauty that abounds where she lives inspires her artwork. Interestingly, she also derives inspiration from her ceramics for her paintings although the two are quite different in style. Her paintings are stylized and readable, but she does not look for minute detail when she paints. These soft landscapes create a feeling of bucolic peace and serenity although Janet does not consciously paint a message. Janet says of her work, that it is like a dance or conversation in her head, which she expresses through her art.
Janet lives an almost idyllic rural existence with her artist/husband who she says is "the love of her life." They work together everyday, and for them it is the perfect partnership because they compliment one another so well. Together they raise and train horses, and are expecting three foals within a year. In addition, she loves to garden and after the tradition of her grandmother and mother, has a huge vegetable garden. She and her husband love to cook. They enjoy golfing together as well. Their three grown children are still very important in their lives, and Janet sews intricate costumes for her daughter when she shows her horse.
In the future, Janet thinks that living in Virginia with horses and continuing with her art would be perfect. She, along with her husband, would like to spend a summer in Provence, France and find a whole new inspiration for their artwork. And, she continues to look for new avenues to express herself in her ceramics. The passion the Janet has, for the many things she loves, will allow her to translate that into her unique and beautiful artwork for many years to come.
ARTIST'S STATEMENT:
Raised and educated in the Mid West, Jan Richardson Baughman is an uncomplicated, straight-forward person. Baughman finds inspiration in her surroundings and environment. The land and the meadows are depicted with the atmospheric effects that the human eye interprets. By creating a haze or slight blur to the very distant objects, Baughman shows the scene as the eye sees it rather than clearly distinct as a camera would.
The property that Jan and her husband John own in northern Michigan, and their home in Lowell, Michigan provide much of the inspiration for the artist. By studying the way the landscapes flow together, Baughman creates small vignettes of tranquility. Jan feels a strong influence from the seasons and direct interaction with nature.
Jan sites her work in pastels as the most natural medium. Because the pastels allow a suggestion rather than meticulous details, they lend themselves to landscape work more readily.
Education:
MFA, Ceramics, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana,1977
BFA, Ceramics, Weaving, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, 1974
Selected Exhibitions:
2008 ArtExpo, New York, New York
2007 Boston International Fine Art Show
ArtExpo, New York, New York
2006 Boston International Fine Art Show
ArtExpo, New York, New York
2005 Boston International Fine Art Show
1996-2005 ArtExpo, New York, New York
ArtExpo. Los Angeles, California
PPFA Atlanta Art Show, Atlanta, Georgia
PPFA Orlando Art Show, Orlando, Florida
PPFA Chicago Art Show, Chicago, Illinois
1998 Philadelphia Art Show, Philadelphia, PA
1995 Ceramic Invitational, Muskegon Community College, Muskegon, Michigan
1988 Two person exhibition, "Clay, Canvas, Paper," Corporate Art Source, Inc., Chicago, Illinois
One person exhibition, Jackie Chalkley Gallery, Washington, D.C.
Earthen V, Michigan Gallery, Detroit, Michigan
1987 One person exhibition, "Food for Thought and a Place to Eat," Southwest Craft Center, San Antonio, Texas
Two person exhibition, Corcoran Gallery, Muskegon, Michigan
Clay Treasure Boxes Invitational, Clay Gallery Pinch Pottery, Northampton, MA
Showcase Exhibition, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan
Teapot Invitational, Springfield Art Association, Springfield, Illinois
1986 Six Women, For Decades, Kretschmer Gallery, Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Beyond Function, Saginaw Museum of Art, Saginaw, Michigan
Changing Collection, Signature Gallery, Boston, Massachusetts
One person exhibition, Creative Arts Gallery, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
Two person exhibition, Battle Creek Center For the Arts, Battle Creek, Michigan
1985 Group exhibition, Mill Street Gallery, Aspen, Colorado
Architectural Implications for Ceramics, The Hand and The Spirit Gallery, Scottsdale, Arizona
NCECA exhibition, Jury Members, Craft Alliance, St. Louis, Missouri, traveling until 1986
Two person exhibition, Susan Cummins Gallery, Mill Valley, California
Recent Works in Clay, Carr Gallery, Houston, Texas
1984 Private Domains, The Elements Gallery, New York, New York
New Work, Malton Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio
Festival '84 Grand Rapids Art Museum, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Invitational Exhibition, Low Fire Gallery, Pewabic Pottery, Detroit, Michigan
Michigan Ceramics '84, Detroit Artist Market, Detroit, Michigan
1983 Group show, Stone Press Gallery, Seattle, Washington
Two person show, Jesse Besser Museum, Alpena, Michigan
Battle Creek Craft Biennial, The Art Center, Battle Creek, Michigan
Michigan Ceramics '83, Selo-Sheval Gallery, Ann Arbor, Michigan
1982 Altar-Cations, collaborative installation with James Kuiper, John Baughman Gallery and Association, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Tribute, Invitational group show, Pewabic Pottery, Detroit, Michigan
"What I Did on My Summer Vacation," Group show, John Baughman Gallery, Grand Rapids, Michigan
National Crafts Exhibition, Gavelston Arts Gallery, Gavelston, Texas
Intimate Spaces, NCECA Invitational, Gallery I, San Jose State University, San Jose, California, traveling until 1983
100 at 100, Invitational, Artistac Sass Gallery, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Michigan Ceramics '82, An Exploration in Red, Detroit Artist Market, Detroit, Michigan
Renaissance '81, Grand Rapids Art Museum, Grand Rapids, Michigan
1981 Ceramic Expressions, One person show, John Baughman Gallery, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Lake Superior Craft Biennial, Tweed Museum, Deluth, Minnesota
Group Show, Artisans Gallery, Wilmette, Illinois
Two woman show, Overvoode Gallery, Muskegon Community College, Muskegon, Michigan
Michigan Ceramics '81, Detroit Artist Market, Detroit, Michigan
1980 Containers '80, Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Impressions, One person show, Campus Center Gallery, Grand Valley State Colleges, Allendale, Michigan
Michigan Artists 80/81, organized by Detroit Institute of Art, Kalamazoo Institute of Art, Kalamazoo, Michigan
All State Drawing and Sculpture Competition, Battle Creek Center for the Arts, Battle Creek, Michigan
Festival '80, Art Council of Greater Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids, Michigan
53rd Annual Regional Exhibition, Hackley Museum of Art, Muskegon, Michigan
Primary Art, Artistic Sass Gallery, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Michigan Ceramics '80, Pewabic Pottery, Detroit, Michigan
Small Works, East Gallery, New York University, New York, New York
Seventh Invitational Ceramic Exhibition, in conjunction with NCECA National Conference, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Michigan
Seven Artists, Faculty Show, Gallery Luisa, East Grand Rapids, Michigan
1979 Beaux Arts Designer/Craftsmen '79, Columbus Museum of Art,
Columbus, Ohio
1980 Festival '79, Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids, Grand
Rapids, Michigan
Battle Creek Biennial, Battle Creek Center for the Arts, Battle Creek, Michigan
Michigan Ceramics '79, Pewabic Pottery, Detroit, Michigan
National Clay, Form/Function/Fantasy, Long Beach Gallery, Long Beach, California
Mid-Michigan Show, Midland Center for the Arts,
Midland, Michigan
Pensacola National Crate Exhibitions, Visual Arts Gallery, Pensacola Community College, Pensacola, Florida
New York University Small Works Competition, East Gallery, New York University, New York, New York
13th Annual National Drawing and Small Sculpture Show, Del Mar College, Corpus Christi, Texas
1978 Arts of Fire and Fiber, Center for the Arts,
Mt. Clematis, Michigan
A Close-up View, Grand Rapids Art Museum,
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Two Women Show, Gallery 28, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Central Michigan Area Show, Creative Arts Gallery, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
Hackley Regional Show, Hackley Art Museum, Muskegon, Michigan
1977 Michigan Artist Invitational Campus Center Gallery, Grand Valley State Colleges, Allendale, Michigan
Sixth Annual National Ceramics Invitational, Utah Designer/Craftsmen, Ogden State College, Ogden, Utah
Indiana Women, Yesterday and Today, Turman Gallery, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana
M.F.A. Exhibit, Turman Gallery, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana
14th Annual Wabash Valley Art Exhibition, Sheldon Swope Museum, Terre Haute, Indiana
Ceramic Invitational, Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, Illinois
Lake Superior International Crafts Exhibition, Tweed Museum, Deluth, Minnesota
Indiana Arts, Tirey Memorial Union, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana
Selected Commissions and Collections:
Cascade Engineering, Grand Rapid, Michigan
Stow Davis/Steelcase Inc., Grand Rapids, Michigan
NBD, Bancorp Inc., Grand Rapids, Michigan
Cain Chemical, Houston, Texas
Michigan Bell Telephone, Inc., Detroit, Michigan
Manufacturers Bank, Grand Rapids, Michigan
United Bank, Ann arbor, Michigan
Ramada Inn, Tysons Corner, Virginia
Art in Public Places, Ottawa County Building,
Grand Haven, Michigan
Marriott Hotel, Jacksonville, Florida
St. Likes Episcopal Hospital, Houston, Texas
WBDC Architects Planners and Engineers, Home Office,
Grand Rapids, Michigan
GF Incorporated, New York Showroom, New York, New York
Hardwood House Incorporated, Chicago Showroom,
Chicago, Illinois
G.F. Incorporated, Chicago Showroom,
Chicago, Illinois
Steelcase Incorporated, Boston, Massachusetts
Holiday Inn, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
DLP Incorporated, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Cole Bakery, Corp., Headquarters, Muskegon, Michigan
Butterworth Hospital, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Steelcase Incorporated, Chicago Showroom, Chicago, Illinois
Steelcase Incorporated, Montreal Showroom, Montreal, Canada
Devos Women and Children's Hospital,
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Dow Chemical, Midland, Michigan
Faith Christian Center, Exterior, Holland, Michigan
Foremost Insurance, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Upjohn, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Publications: 1987 Gallery, American Craft, June/July
1985 Gallery, American Craft, April/May
1983 Artist Profile Feature Article, Ceramics Monthly
1981 Exhibition Review, Ceramics Monthly, January
1980 Exhibition Review, Ceramics Monthly, January
1979 Exhibition Review, Artweek, May
1978 Exhibition Review, Craft Horizons, June
1977 Article featuring the graduates and graduate program at Indiana State University, Ceramics Monthly, September
Awards: 1983 Best in Clay, Battle Creek Craft Biennial, The Art Center, Battle Creek, Michigan
Jurors Award for Excellence, Battle Creek Craft Biennial, the Art Center, Battle Creek, Michigan
1981 First Prize, Renaissance '81, Grand Rapids Art Museum, Grand Rapids, Michigan
1980 Fourth Prize, Containers '80, Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Judges Award, Michigan Ceramics '80, Pewabic Pottery, Detroit, Michigan
Honorable Mention, 53rd Annual Regional Exhibition, Hackley Museum of Art, Muskegon, Michigan
1979 Judges Award, Beaux Arts Designer/Craftsmen '79, Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus, Ohio
Festival Award, Festival '79, Festival '79 Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Best in Clay, Battle Creek Craft Biennial, The Art Center, Battle Creek, Michigan
Purchase Award, National Clay, Form/Function/Fantasy. Long Beach Gallery, Long Beach, California
1978 Arts of Fire and Fiber, Center For the Arts, Mt. Clements, Mt. Clements, Michigan
1976 Indiana Ceramic Exhibit, Depauw University, Greencastle, Michigan
1975 Seventh Annual Student Show, Creative Arts Gallery, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
Related Experiences:
1988 Secretary/Treasurer/Executive Board, NCECA, 1998-90
Director-at-Large, NCECA, 1986-88
1985 Alternative Event Coordinator for the 1985 NCECA Conference, St. Louis, Missouri
1983 Included in the American Craft Council Archival File housed in the library of the American Craft Museum, New York, New York
Discussion leader for the special interest group: "Ceramics in Higher Education-How to Enhance the Future." Presented at the 1983 NCECA conference, Atlanta, Georgia
Consultant, Forest Hills Middle School-Developing an appropriate ceramics program
1982 Artist in the Schools, Forest Hills Middle School-For students to see and gain an understanding that art can be a successful career
1981 Curator, Exhibition Committee, NCECA Past Presidents Show in conjunction with annual NCECA conference, Wichita Museum of Art, Wichita, Kansas
1979 Member of an advisory committee to the Council Board of the Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids in regards to the "individual artists grant award" competition
Visiting Artist, clay and fiber slide presentations, demonstrations and participation workshops and performances for public service agencies, day-care centers, public school systems and short-term residency for the Spectrum Program for Gifted Children, Grand Rapids Public School System, Grand Rapids, Michigan
1977 Active member of the Women's Art Symposium, a five day conference on women's contributions to the arts, funded by the Indiana Arts Commission and the Indiana Committee for the humanities, Terre Haute, Indiana, 1976-77