I originally met Jan when I joined her belly dance classes in 1995. Over the years we became very good friends and did many projects and classes together, including art classes with Brian Simmonds. She was a very good artist.
At the time I painted these nasturtiums, Brian was away but we were able to use the studio. A few of the others from the class had turned up and were painting on the verandah, but Jan and I went inside and sat by the heater as she was very thin from her cancer treatment and was feeling the cold.
Jan had brought the nasturtiums and bowl for us to compose, and we sat and chatted while we painted. Afterwards we had a coffee at the little café at the art centre. It was so nice to have some time together, but just before we parted she complained of a pain in her side. She was taken into hospital that night and never came out.
Every time I look at this painting I think of her.
