Members of the Parnell Gallery team were treated to a truly magical morning at the home of upcoming exhibiting artist Janette Cervin and her partner in life and art, Jake Kennedy. Amidst the rolling green landscapes of Warkworth, their home and studio reflect the very essence of Janette’s work—layered, full of exquisite character, and deeply connected to nature.

Janette and Jake’s creative partnership is as inspiring as it is endearing. Every piece Janette creates is a collaboration—a labour of love built on years of shared learning, experimentation, and trust. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with warmth and generosity, stepping into a world where art is not just made but truly lived.

Their beautifully restored villa, transported from Epsom over 35 years ago, is a testament to their artistic spirit. Art greets you at every turn—from hand-painted details on their letterbox and driveway to vibrant works that fill the walls. Their studio, an enchanting space opening directly to native bush, is home not only to their creative process but also to their ever-present furry assistant, Murphy.

Janette’s artistic journey is one of continuous evolution, rooted in both technical skill and expressive freedom. Though she learned traditional painting techniques—landscapes, portraits, and still life—through years of study and practice, her creative voice truly emerged during her time at Unitec. There, as a mature student, she was encouraged to embrace her background in ‘women’s craft’ disciplines such as china painting and folk art and take her work to a larger, more expressive scale. This pivotal period shaped her Master’s degree, Flower Painting in a Contemporary Painting Practice, and led to the distinctive layered style that defines her work today.

Her time at Unitec proved pivotal, while she was encouraged to fully embrace her technical background and scale up her work, one of her biggest influences and supporters was her Master’s tutor, Mandy Thomsett-Taylor, whose insights and encouragement played a fundamental role in shaping Janette’s practice. To this day, Mandy remains a key figure in Janette’s artistic journey and now is considered a close friend.

Janette’s process is as intricate as her paintings suggest, with countless layers of colour, texture, and technique bringing each piece to life. The technique that defines her current work emerged unexpectedly—after disliking an early painting on board, she instinctively sprayed it black and sanded it back, revealing floral forms and glimpses of colour beneath the surface. This revelation became the foundation of her unique approach.

Now, each work begins with a base layer of composition and colour, followed by the bold application of black spray paint to unify the piece. Then comes the sanding—Jake’s domain, directed by Janette —where edges of flowers, leaves, and birds start to reappear in unexpected ways. Janette then rubs inks into these sanded sections, bleeding rich hues back into the design and creating the luminous depth that defines her work. Layers of resin are then carefully poured over the surface, each one enhancing the vibrancy of the colours while sealing the textures below. With Jake’s steady hand, the resin is torched to remove air bubbles, ensuring a flawless finish. Once set, Janette adds further painted details atop the hardened resin, a process that is repeated multiple times, with new layers of flowers and birds emerging in each iteration. The result offers mesmerising depth, as if the forms are suspended within the painting itself. Of course, no detail is overlooked—even before the final resin coat is applied, the two meticulously inspect each piece for any stray dust or even the tiniest insect that may have landed within the glossy surface.

Our visit left us with a profound appreciation for the depth, experimentation, and sheer dedication behind Janette’s work. Her paintings are not only visually rich but infused with the stories of two artists working in harmony—each piece a testament to their shared journey, to the friendships that have shaped them, and to the creative spirit that continues to evolve within their Warkworth sanctuary.

Janettes latest body of work will be available to view in her joint exhibition with Dalene Meiring’, titled, ‘In Bloom & Being’ on view at Parnell Gallery from 4 – 18 March.

The exhibition works are available to view here.
Available works by Janette Cervin can be viewed here.