Janine Lay-Utegg is a local, award-winning, professional painter and jewelry artisan, born and raised in Erie, PA. She has traveled and lived in numerous cities throughout the U.S., and chose to make her home in Lake City, Pa. She enjoys painting in her home studio and taking classes to further improve her craft. Before embracing her art on a full-time basis, she worked for many years as a Registered Nurse and Licensed Cosmetologist.
Her genre centers around Naturalistic Realism– contrasting light and darkness– to create an atmospheric mood that is warm, bold, and colorful. She uses oils, acrylics and watercolors on paper, canvas, wood, and stone. Many of her enthusiastic viewers commented, “Janine infuses everything she paints with intense love.” She is a member of The Presque Isle Artists’ Association and The Erie Art Museum.
Janine’s love of nature and animals started in childhood, spending time with her many pets, and her entire family of self-made artisans, particularly her paternal grandmother! Everyone was busy painting, crocheting, quilting, wood carving — even making glass and apple-head dolls, as well as Raggedy Ann and Andy! She was further inspired by observing family members sell their works at county fairs, winning multiple awards. “They encouraged me to join in the fun every step of the way,” she shared.
Janine spends her free time gourmet cooking, volunteering in Equine Assisted Therapy on a horse ranch, playing with her four dogs, being a nurse advocate, doing haircuts and color, and photographing local scenery. Her love for God and daily prayer provide inspiration for all her art. Looking to the future, she hopes to explore commercial productions of her paintings in stores, restaurants, and on greeting cards.