American born Stephen R. Janton (b.1959): I am a realist painter who enjoys the challenge of painting the human form. I have been so influenced and impressed by the Old Masters, the Dutch “Little Masters” and the best of the French academic painters of the nineteenth century. They carried oil painting to its highest pinnacle of technical perfection. In addition, having grown up in Wilmington Delaware, I was exposed to the Brandywine School and the artists Pyle, the entire Wyeth family and my friend and guide George Weymouth. Portraiture and the human form have always been my main interest and I have developed a good sense of form during my many years studying and working as a Physical Therapist. My works in still life and landscapes tend to be more experimental with a sense of realism.

I attempt painting what is real to me…what I see. In doing a portrait, I enjoy finding the composition that best describes the individual’s personality and I include the person being painted in that process which makes for a more successful outcome. I frequently utilize the technique of a single light source in my portraits as it helps create greater depth. I rely primarily on the techniques of traditional oil painting but have tested my deepest level of patience by painting in egg tempera and appreciate the quality of skin tones created by the unique process.

Artwork should stand on its own merits — or fail on its own shortcomings if it does not succeed in registering favorably upon the viewer’s sensibilities. Quality is the central issue, as it must be where art is concerned. I am doing my best and enjoying the process in my attempts at creating quality in my artwork.

Janton’s work also includes designs for a number of business logos.

Janton is a member of the River Arts District Artists (RADA) in Asheville, NC and the Portrait Society of America.

University of Delaware BA Biology 1977-81

University of Michigan BS Physical Therapy 1983-85

Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art Studio Fine Arts Program 2000-2002

Broward Art Guild, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Art Expressions Gallery, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Arts United, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Merrimon Gallery, Asheville, North Carolina “Human Forms and Faces”

Merrimon Gallery, Asheville, North Carolina “Art In Architecture”

2008 Signature Piece Artist for WNCAP “Raise Your Hand” benefit (http://www.wncap.org)

The Arts Council of Henderson County, Hendersonville, North Carolina “River District Artists”

Private Mountain Community Gallery, Asheville, North Carolina

2009 Best In Show, The Arts Council of Henderson County, Hendersonville, North Carolina “Bring US Your Best 6”

Atherton Mill (Elder Gallery), Charlotte, North Carolina “Carolina’s Got Art!”

Elder Gallery, Charlotte NC, Carolina’s Got Art! Salon Exhibition 2013

2013 One Planet, One World Award, The Arts Council of Henderson County, Hendersonville, North Carolina “Bring US Your Best X”.

2019 Volunteer work with Haywood Street Congregation Fresco, Asheville, NC