Retired Teacher Displays Lifelong Passion for Art

Jan Essex is a lifelong artist who’s dabbled with different mediums for decades. Two years ago she found her new favorite tool: colored pencils.

“It’s unbelievable how many colors are in one picture,” said Essex. “I love the richness and layers.”

Her colored pencil drawings are on display at the . They feature a variety of themes and subjects.

Essex has a long history with art. She earned her bachelor’s degree in art education and went on to teach art education for five years in West Aurora, Galesburg and Monticello. She continued her career teaching third- and fourth-graders at West Aurora.

“Even though I wasn’t teaching it, I would sneak art in when I could,” she said. 

Essex taught at West Aurora for 34 years and now works at the .

Although she took art classes on and off throughout her teaching career, retirement allowed Essex to devote more time to her art. In addition to colored pencil drawings, Essex favors collage.

“My mind is going 24/7,” said Essex. “I’m always thinking of things.”

Some of her colored pencil drawings are done from photographs she took. She met one of her subjects, a brown and white spotted dog, while on a trip to an Indian reservation. He followed the group around and Essex took the opportunity to snap a few photos of him. A drawing based on the photograph is part of the collection she has on display.

Essex often finds inspiration in animals.

“I have a real love of animals and all of the beautiful little things,” she said.

Of the artwork on display, the animals and a stone lady holding flowers are her favorites.

“I hope people get enjoyment out of looking at them,” Essex said. 

She was honored to be able to show her work at the library and proud finally to have enough work to make a show.

“Everyone loves looking at art,” she said, then paused. “Well maybe not everyone, but I do.”

The library is excited to have her on display and as a part of its staff. 

“She’s so talented in a wide variety of forms,” said Sharyl Iwanski, a fellow library employee.

Essex’s work will be on display at the until Oct. 11.