JANICE E. KIRK is a published author, illustrator, teacher, and musician. Trained as an artist, a singer, and a writer, she writes about nature, the arts, spirituality, and related topics. She holds a B.Mus. from U. of Oregon (Eugene) and a M.Mus. in Vocal Perf/Pedagogy from U. of Colorado (Boulder). She taught music, art, and language arts in the public schools (Oregon, California), and served as Art Coordinator and Project Writer for the Language, Art & Music Project in Shasta Co. Schools (1974-77). She recently retired as Adjunct Voice Instructor at Simpson U. (Redding, California). Currently she is a member of Faith Lutheran Church, Winona, Minnesota. After many years in California, Jan and husband Don moved to Winona in the beautiful Mississippi River Valley to be closer to their children and grandchildren.
Outdoor Experience
With their two children Jan and Don traveled, camped, sketched, and photographed throughout the American West. In the 1960s they collected information on wild edible plants for Don’s book (see below) for which Jan did 300 botanical sketches. Several summers found them on Teaching Staff at Holden Village (ELCA) on Lake Chelan in the Central Washington Cascade Mountains. Don was Village Naturalist; Jan taught watercolor classes. In 1976-77 a year–long camping trip in the Greater Southwest provided time for study, sketching, painting, and photographing plant communities amid stunning landscapes. Jan and Don gained a new perspective on the way life systems are put together, a vision of Planet Earth as a dynamic whole. Living close to the elements, painting and sketching every day changed everything. The trip triggered a spiritual renewal and sparked advocacy for earth stewardship.
Books
Milton the Mouse, by Janice E. Kirk (Wipf and Stock Publishers: 2019). Illustrated with line drawings. Middle-grade children’s literature, 55 pages. A chase, a ride, a chase and hide, and Milton the mouse lands in new territory: the Stewart household. What do you do with a mouse that hitches a ride home from a camping trip? First, you have to catch him . . .
The Road to Beaver Park, Painting, Perception, and Pilgrimage, by Janice E. Kirk (Wipf and Stock Publishers: 2016). Illustrated with line drawings. On a year-long campout to the American Southwest the author/artist learns to paint and learns to see, a radical activity that changes her life.
The Christmas Redwood, A Forest Parable, written and illustrated by Janice E. Kirk (Wipf and Stock Publishers: 2016). Illustrated with line drawings, this is an Advent story of watching and waiting in the redwood forest.
Cherish the Earth: the Environment and Scripture, by Janice E. Kirk and Donald R. Kirk (Wipf and Stock Publishers: 2016), illustrated by Janice, cover photo by Don. Is Earth Stewardship biblical? Yes, and here is the Scriptural backup.
Egypt, a Handbook by K. Hansen (Moon Pub: 1990) Janice contributed drawings. Tour guide for travelers.
Wild Edible Plants of Western North America, by Donald R. Kirk (Naturegraph: 1970), illustrated by Janice E. Kirk with 300 pen and ink botanical drawings. Ready reference to take along on a hike.
Articles
Eat ‘Em Wild, by D.R. Kirk (Down River Magazine, 1956-76), 39 articles, featured column, illustrated by Janice E. Kirk with pen and ink botanical sketches.
The Way of Shalom, by Janice E. Kirk (Light & Life Magazine: May/June 2004), Our ‘Shalom’ camp shows the harmony of relationships in a God ordered world. Front cover, lead article b/w illustrations by Jan, back cover color photo by Don.
Creation, by Alister McGrath, Book Review by Janice E. Kirk (Prism Magazine, Sept/Oct 2005, ESA)
The Year of the Angel, by Janice E. Kirk (Teachers of Vision, Fall 2008) Childhood memories of a special teacher who opened the door to art and nature.
Conference & Event Photos
Affiliations
Prayer
Complete this work which I began in hope
and with Your name,
So that my singing may become healing,
Curing the wounds of body and soul.
If my humble work is finished
With your holy blessing,
May the divine spirit in it
Join with my meager inspiration.
Do not extinguish
The revelation You have granted,
Do not abandon my reason,
But, again and again, receive praise
From your servant.
Amen.
❧
Gregory of Narek, 10th century Armenian Poet