You might know Jan as the Eastend artist behind the oil painting that stars in the 2026 Big Flat Festival marketing (a painting you can bid on during the festival!) Or maybe you know her from her annual painting spree, when she releases a new painting every evening in November. Or maybe you’ve fallen in love with her painting at one of the galleries lucky enough to show her work.

In the days leading up to the third annual Big Flat Folk Festival, Jan sat down to answer some interview questions.

*You’ll have a chance to bid on this oil painting during the* *Big Flat Folk Festival* *July 10 and 11, 2026.*

You have just received $20,000 and you must spend it on travel. Where are you going and what are you doing?

The last few years I’ve been doing a lot of genealogical research, and I’d love to do a reverse migration of sorts. I’d go visit all the spots that my ancestors have lived across Canada and in Ireland, Scotland, England and western Europe. I’d love to immerse myself in their landscapes, and to learn more about their lives and what kept pushing them west.

What’s the most delicious thing you’ve ever eaten? What was the worst?

I LOVE food. I’m not sure I can say that any one gastronomical delight has been better than others when so many have been so perfect, but I do recall being moved to tears by the beauty of a salmon dish I ate in Montreal a few decades ago. The worst? Well, I also recall being moved to tears at the prospect of being forced to eat onions as a child. Fortunately my tastes have grown up!

If you could learn any new skill what would it be? Who would teach it to you?

Oh, I recently tried golf and discovered that there is actually a sport that I like playing! Who would teach it to me? Yes, WHO? Great question! Who will teach me to golf? Want to teach me to golf?

Recommend something! A book, a movie, a tv show and tell me why you love it.

I love listening to audio books while I paint and a recent favourite is Vigil by George Saunders. I adore the way his writing is so playful and inventive, wildly funny and yet profoundly thoughtful. And this book, like his previous novel Lincoln in the Bardo, is perfect for audio book, and very well produced, using great voice actors. Almost like radio plays, really.

What’s something you bought for less than $100 that has become a favourite thing?

I recently bought a new can opener and let me tell you, not struggling with that old one has improved my quality of life tenfold. Zero regrets.

What do you do for fun that doesn’t involve consuming food or drink, or spending money?

A year or two ago I decided that I would stop wasting money on clothes that don’t fit properly, made out of fabrics that I don’t love, and that I would learn to sew my own wardrobe. I have so far finished only one pair of pants (that don’t fit properly haha) but I am loving reacquainting myself with a sewing machine and finding beautiful fabrics in thrift stores (okay, it’s spending money, but WAY less), and the top I’m working on now is showing signs of being wearable one day!