About me

                                  Jane Turner

                            Autobiographical Sketch

It was a revelation, than an inspiration , that came to me in mid-life, that I should be serious about what seemed to come natural to me, my love for creating art.  Oil on canvas, created with paint-by-numbers projects was the catalyst that started me on this journey.  I had always drawn, painted and sketched, from my earliest recollection.  However, travel with my military family from  Alabama roots, to live in distant places in the U.S., Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Caribbean, gave me a wealth of varied artistic and cultural exposures to stimulate my talent. 

 In 1981, “ Anwar’s Dream” was my first serious painting.  It was prompted by my admiration for Anwar Sadat and despair over his assassination.  I perceived Anwar Sadat, President of Egypt, Nobel Peace Prize winner, to be a world class citizen and humanitarian.   My painting was to honor this great human being.  Little did I know that it was the start of an adventure that has lasted until today.  I paint in oil, acrylic, pastel and work in charcoal, and graphite.  I have also branched out to include batik, sculpture and photography in my repertoire.

 I am a graduate of Tuskegee  Institute  (University ) and have pursued continuing education in Social Work at California State University at Dominquez Hills. My life long career was in human services, where I worked as a social worker, supervisor and administrator for over thirty years, in various states and capacities.  In  2006 I formally retired to pursue art on a full time basis. I am basically a self taught artist, however, in 2002, I begin attending Crealde Art School, to pursue sculpture and photography. Currently, I am a student the Maitland Art Center, since 2009.  There I pursue fuguritive sculpture and bronze casting.

Since 1990, I have resided continuously in Eatonville, Florida, the oldest Black Incorporated Township in the U.S.  Most of my art work has been completed in Eatonville.  My work is signed Jane Lily or Jlily to honor my ancestors.

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      On the next page you will find a list of exhibits and publications of my work.