Andre JANITZKY’S love of California geography is evident in his landscape paintings.

 

Janitzky was born in Davis, Calif., in 1969. Growing up, Northern California was his playground for fishing, hiking and family road trips. He attended UC Davis, earning a bachelor’s degree in art studio in 1993.

 

“When I studied art at UC Davis, I had no idea that I was going to become a landscape painter,” he said. “In fact, I had no idea what I wanted to do in general, but I would still go out and sketch the trees and fields around Davis, trying also to do the same with watercolors. Eventually I attempted oil paints, which I found to be forgiving and flexible.”

 

As he learned to paint specific places, it compelled him to explore further. Many of his scenes include studies in multiple mediums, including oil, watercolor and acrylic. His work showcases the diversity of California’s landscape, like its varied mountains, deserts, waterways, fields and trees.

 

“I usually start out exploring an area thoroughly on foot, looking around for possible images. Because the light is always changing, and the landscape undergoes atmospheric, seasonal and even bio-geographical changes, I tend to visit the same places repeatedly over the course of days, months and even years.”

 

It’s never difficult to find beauty in his surroundings. “Ultimately, it is the variety of the California geography that keeps me interested in exploring new places, which eventually find their way onto my canvas.”

 

Janitzky lives in Davis with his wife and family.