Janet Biles

Born in Medford, Janet grew up on the McKenzie River and in the Eugene/Springfield area. Art has always been important to her with many private and group classes in her youth. Janet's career took her from Eugene in 1981 to Portland and in 1988 to Olympia, WA.

Her career took her in many directions, but eventually to owning and operating a computer training company for 16 years. While her career was not in the arts, Janet always kept her fingers in the arts by continuing to take classes and paint recreationally whenever possible.

Janet began painting in oils and acrylics in the 60s with her sister, Kathy Whitson, but fell in love with "the magic of watercolor" in the 90s. She now paints exclusively with watercolor. "I enjoy an impressionistic and whimsical style in my painting."

Janet and her husband, Stan, have been active in the communities where they have lived. Janet was the first chair of the City of Olympia Arts Commission and was later appointed by Washington's Governor to the Washington State Arts Commission. She was on the Harlequin Live Theater Board and was active in starting the Olympia ArtsWalk, now a spring and fall event and celebrating its 20th year. Stan was elected mayor of Olympia.

In 2003 Janet and her husband returned to her childhood stomping grounds to retire on the McKenzie River near McKenzie Bridge. Janet is a member of the McKenzie Arts Forum and has helped to organize the McKenzie Arts Festival at Tokatee Golf Course to raise money for the arts in the McKenzie Schools. Janet has also worked on the planning committee to put on the McKenzie Home and Garden Tour to raise money for the McKenzie River Medical Clinic. She has had an active role in the McKenzie Garden Club, including vice president and has just finished a year as president. She is a member of the Emerald Art Center.