Hi I’m Janet Danforth! I’m a North Carolina artist who loves expressive drawing with color, texture and depth. I’ve spent most of my adult life in the southeastern United States while I grew up in New York’s Capital District. I currently live in Durham North Carolina with my partner and our five cats.
My background
I’ve been drawing ever since I was a small child with marker-stained hands. I draw everything from animals and food to interfaces and diagrams for data-dense applications in the corporate world. This love of drawing led me to art school where I received my BFA in graphic design from Savannah College of Art and Design. After college, I worked as a graphic designer drawing logos, brochures and websites. Later I switched to user experience design drawing interfaces, diagrams and charts for data-dense applications. I earned a masters in information science from North Carolina Central University. Every new industry is an exciting opportunity to learn something new! Some industries I’ve already worked in include technology, healthcare and animals. I’ve worked with consumers and patients, clients and sponsors, and employees who want to get their job done easier.
Now I am going back to my traditional roots and concentrating on hand-created art for wall art, stationery and novelty products.
Inspiration for a North Carolina artist
I’ve always been curious about the world and how things work. I’m constantly learning new things and picking up new hobbies and skills quickly. I love travelling to new places. My travels inspire my work from the animals I’ve met to the cultures I’ve experienced. I read. A lot! I’m a major foodie. I love experimenting in the kitchen and trying new spices and vegetables.
How I create my art
I start my work on paper with a mechanical pencil or a rollerball pen. (Please don’t make me use a ballpoint pen.) Sketching is a big part of my thinking. Putting ideas down on paper shows me quickly if something is really a good idea or if it just seems like it in my mind. Sometimes I draw from photos, sometimes from real-life. Other times, I draw from my imagination. I use my own reference images whenever possible.
I work in many mediums:
✏️ pen, pencil and marker
🖍️ oil pastel
✂️ mixed media collage
🖌️ watercolor, oil and acrylic
🕯️ encaustic wax paint
💻 digital vectors and pixels
Testimonials
I had the pleasure of working with Janet and I was consistently impressed by her ability to collaborate seamlessly. Her ability to bridge the gap between design vision and technical execution is truly exceptional.
Janet has an exceptional ability to blend design thinking with technical execution. She consistently exceeds expectations and brings both creativity and practicality to every task she takes on. I wholeheartedly recommend her.
-Sindhuri P.
Janet is creative, she listens to the client and her work is excellent! I give her my highest recommendation. She is amazing!
-Jeri W.
Janet is an amazing designer. She always is on time and gets things done when she says she will have the product finished. Janet also is an amazing communicator and has helped me tremendously in pulling ideas out of my head and making them come to life.
-Amanda C.
I really enjoy working with Janet. She can make a less-than-specific concept visually appealing, industry-appropriate, and still add a pleasing, creative flare. She does great work.
-Sophie H.
Janet possesses the ability to listen, interpret, analyze and interact. Not all graphic designers remain capable of both the clear client interaction and the positive, visionary technical/creative output. If you want someone who really gets you and your project then you need Janet.
– John O.
Janet was a fantastic designer. She achieved a very professional look, while listening to and tailoring according to my preferences. I highly recommend Janet as a capable, professional, and creative collaborator.
– Beth K.