Born in 1962 in England, Janette Dye spent her early years in a
picturesque village on the outskirts of Manchester. Growing up amidst the
contrasting realities of the working class and the privileged, she was exposed
to constant movement, growth, and vitality. These early experiences greatly
influenced her artistic sensibilities. Dye's passion for painting was ignited
when she began receiving regular instructions from the renowned English painter
Harold Riley. Though considered too young for his classes, she was allowed to
enroll after much persistence, as her brother was already receiving
instruction.<
Later on, Dye was introduced to the works of Riley's mentor, L.S.
Lowry, who was known for his paintings of Northern factories and laborers.
These images deeply resonated with Dye, as Lowry was able to capture the
emotions of the workers and factories through stylized forms. Her fascination
with the power of a single painted line led her to explore abstract art, which
soon began to influence her approach to everyday life. The artist says of her work, “As each painting
has a new beginning so we too can experience something new every day.”
While studying at an art college in Manchester, Dye mainly worked
with charcoal, emphasizing the negative space to highlight the shape and size
of the line and sensibility. After moving to the United States, she combined
her earlier life experiences from the UK with her new creative direction,
resulting in a unique style that emphasizes balance and simplicity.
Dye's boldest work seduces the viewer with dynamic
compositions and color sensitivity, creating a distinctive visual vocabulary.
In recent years, she has been fortunate enough to work with artists such as
DOWNS, who was mentored by Karl Benjamin and Frederick Hammersley. Her artwork
has been exhibited throughout the United States.
