"In my quest to understand complicated issues, I create art that simplifies. My work consists of paintings, sculptures, and installations.
When I create a painting, I am alone with my thoughts. The images are pre-determined to some extent and filled with personal symbolism. Using acrylic paints, I convey messages through color. Oftentimes I visualize a positive outcome to a situation while painting. Focusing on the art and the meaning behind it, I make bold strokes of crudely mixed paint. I love mixing my own colors while allowing the wet paint to splash into another hue and create a new color of its own. My most recent work focuses on feelings of love. The images in the paintings are abstract, distorted figures.
Creations in 3-D are suspended from the ceiling or are free standing. Balance, movement and light work together to create a new story and an exciting visual performance.
To visually express my opinions about heavy topics, I use light-hearted imagery or metaphors. The entertainment is meant to aid in understanding issues rather than diminish the importance of the messages. Government corruption, poverty, women’s rights, and mental health are a few of the subjects of which I have expressed my passionate beliefs through art.
I strive to capture the essence of an idea and present it, unrestrained, uncluttered and with interest or beauty."
Janet Mueller
BIO
Originally from Champaign, Illinois, Janet Margaret Mueller lives and works in Miami Beach, Florida. Mueller received a Bachelor of Science in Marketing, College of Commerce, from the University of Illinois in 1975. She studied watercolor painting at Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois in 1978, learned to paint with gouache and an airbrush from technical artists in the 1980s and oil painting techniques in private sessions with Joachim Loeber in Key West, Florida in 1998.
From 1977 to 1984, Janet was a graphic designer and illustrator, as well as a producer of advertisements in TV and print. She was nominated for 30 awards for creativity during those years, winning 11, including a Best of Show for a direct mail piece for the University of Illinois.
In 1993, Janet M Mueller moved to Florida.
Mueller has had 13 solo exhibitions including “Janet M. Mueller – Arte contemporanea americana” in Rome, Italy at the Centro per L'Assistenza Sociale e Culturale (2001),
“A People Sticks its Neck Out…” at The Studios of Key West, Key West, Florida (2008, during the election),
and "Hope", which focused on poverty, at The Painting Center, New York City (2017).
Group shows include: “Woman” at The Studios of Key West with sculptor Simone Lasswell (April, 2018),
“Changing Landscapes” at Art Serve, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida (March-April 2021),
and “Words Matter” at The Art Center Highland Park, Highland Park, Illinois (August-September 2021).
Mueller was a resident artist of Cando Arts Co-op, Miami Beach (2011-2012) and The Artisan Lounge, Miami (2012-2017).
