Janna Kumi

BIOGRAPHY Born in the Netherlands and raised in the suburbs of Montreal, Janna's artistic journey began with childhood sketches often drawn in coloured pencils during school. After high school, Janna briefly studied at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts in 1968 before dramatically switching paths by earning a BA from Concordia University majoring in physical geography. She went on to earn a professional forestry degree at the University of Munich in Germany (1978), and an MSc from the University of British Columbia (1984) leading to a 35-year career in forest and environmental management in British Columbia retiring in 2012.

In 2005, Janna's life was irrevocably altered by a major stroke that paralyzed her on the right side of her body and left her unable to speak. However, what seemed a devastating setback became a catalyst for a profound shift from mostly left-brained scientific pursuits to right-brained artistic endeavours. This newfound balance propelled her back into the world of art, leading her to complete a Continuing Studies program at Emily Carr in 2006, and a BFA from the University of British Columbia in 2015.

Janna's work is a testament to her life-long relationship with trees, influenced by her extensive forestry and environmental studies background. Rather than focus on conventional paintings of treed landscapes, she chose to explore the intricate details of tree bark, capturing its essence through meticulous pencil drawings. Always equipped with a camera, she traversed British Columbia, amassing a large visual library of tree bark that serves as the foundation for her art. The intersection of her scientific knowledge and artistic skill has earned her two Research and Create Grants from the Canada Council for the Arts.

Janna lives in Metro Vancouver and is a long-time active member of the North Shore Artists Guild and the Federation of Canadian Artists. Her work is frequently exhibited at Vancouver's Federation Gallery and the Catching Stars Gallery on Bowen Island. Looking ahead, Janna plans to refine her technique and explore more expressive methodologies. Her unique approach continues to bridge the gap between scientific and artistic communities, offering a profound perspective on the natural world.