Janna Robins-Walters

Janna Robins-Walters is an award winning multi-disciplinary artist based in Toronto. Using paint, pencil, collage, digital tools, photography, colour, form and texture, Robins-Walters captures the essential character and mood of her subjects. Artist, friend, daughter, mother, sister and partner – Janna’s work reveals nothing is as it seems, making sense of the world by discovering what lies beneath the surface of everyday objects.

Robins-Walters, on her series “Daydreams and Other Stories”:

These vignettes are transformations between reality and imaginary worlds. Flowers and vases are just a metaphor in holding my dreams, as my mind wanders. Daydreaming is known to be the catalyst to creativity and focus. Within my work, layers allow glimpses of both familiar and mysterious colours and texture to evoke mood and emotion. My compositions are simultaneously playful and thoughtful engaging the viewer to look beneath the image to discover more than is apparent at first glance.

Robins-Walters’ artwork is included in various private and public collections nationally and abroad. Her work has been featured as three Curator Picks, selected by Robert Houle, Kristin Sjaarda and Lauren Sellen at the Toronto Outdoor Art Fair (2020-22).

Janna earned a BFA at Syracuse University (NY) in painting & illustration, an Illustration certificate from Rhode Island School of Design, and a Certificate of Computer Graphic Design and Fine Art from Sheridan College. She has completed continuing studies at OCADU, Toronto School of Art, and Project Art Toronto. Walters has participated in a residency at Grand Manan, NB, and was Artist In Residence and Educator at Karma Creative. Janna received an Award of Merit from the New York Art Fair, and two volunteerism awards from the city of Toronto for dedication and contribution for her commitment to the Art Gallery of Ontario, and for education in the schools.