Teaching a workshop near Joshua Tree
at Cactus Mart, Morongo Valley 
Ryan Mountain,
Joshua Tree National Park 
Île Saint-Louis, sketching in Paris,
photo credit MissParisPhoto.com 
Current Solo Exhibit
Soul Connection Joshua Tree, CA 9/14 - 10/10 |
Janis Commentz is known for her color-intense palette and loose brush strokes of figures and landscapes. Janis Commentz is a painter living in the Mojave Desert where she teaches classes and workshops for the Desert Institute in Joshua Tree. She has a B.A. in art and British Literature from the University of Redlands and M.A. in Education - CSUSB. She exhibits in Southern California. Although Janis grew up near the coast, she believes desert beauty is an acquired taste and enjoys plein air painting in the Southwest. A third generation Californian and artist, Commentz, began drawing and painting early in life as the daughter of an artist At the University of Redlands, she earned a B.A. in art and English and studied printmaking with John Nava, well-known for his tapestries at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles. She moved to the Mojave Desert in 1977 where she taught high school art and English until 2012. Commentz has taught classes at the 29 Palms Art Gallery, Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, and the Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park and teaches painting workshops. She facilitated life drawing in Joshua Tree for eight years. She has exhibited at Gallery 62, Joshua Tree Art Gallery, the Purple Agave at Cactus Mart, Rainbow Stew, the 29 Palms Art Gallery in the Morongo Basin, T.E. Studios in Riverside, and the Redlands Art Association. Commentz participated in the Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours (ten seasons), Joshua Tree National Park Juried Art Exposition (ten years), Joshua Tree National Park Spring Art Festival, Art Faire at California State University at San Bernardo and Art For Heaven's Sake, Redlands (three years). In 2013, she helped create the “Pop Up” Art Gallery in Joshua Tree, Six Chicks, which evolved into Gallery 62. Commentz served as Gallery Director for Gallery 62 during 2016. She has been the featured artist at Gallery 62, the Glass Outhouse Art Gallery and the 29 Palms Art Gallery. Visit French Press & Mojave Inspiration. Etsy Shop, and for direct links to calendars, stationery and more. Artist Statement: Painting, like storytelling, must express a truth. Rather than replicating an image, a painting expresses the essential elements of its subject. I often paint a lone figure on a pathway, and that has become a theme in my art. Art is a pathway to explore ourselves, our relationships with each other and our relationships to the environment. Composition and color replace the demand for literal elements. Texture depicts the effects of the elements on the subject. I strive to interact with the viewer through a more casual, intimate conversation, punctuated by spontaneous brushstrokes and color saturated or subdued by the sun and wind of the high desert. Interview with Bold Journey Magazine Interview with VoyageLA Interview with ShoutoutLA YouTube Meet the Artist Podcast Interviews: La Vie Creative Podcast Desert Lady Diaries Podcast The French Wedding Podcast Desert Institute Podcast |
Press
AWARDS
Perigord Retreats, Gourdon France (2019) ~ First Painting Competition
49th Mutimedia Mini Show Redlands (2018) ~ Second Place
Chaparral Artists Fall Show ~ Second Place
The Southland Show ~ First Place
I Heart Art ~ Jerry's Artarama ~ Third Place
EXHIBITS and FESTIVALS
Soul Connection, Joshua Tree ~ Solo Exhibit ~ September 14 - October 10, 2024
Joshua Tree National Park Association ~ "History of Joshua Tree National Park," ~ February 2024
2024 Faces & Friends Beatnik Lounge, Joshua Tree, CA ~ January 2024
Joshua Tree National Park Art Expo and Juried Show~
Twentynine Palms, CA, November 2023
Pilates & Arts - Solo Exhibit "Desert Driven" ~ February March April 2023
29 Palms Art Gallery - Hope in Sight - Dialogue Group / 10 Women Artists ~ January 2023
Joshua Tree National Park Art Expo and Juried Show~
Twentynine Palms, CA, November 2022
Joshua Tree National Park Art Expo and Juried Show~
Twentynine Palms, CA, November 2021
Joshua Tree National Park Art Expo and Juried Show~
Twentynine Palms, CA, September 2020
TheArtists~exhibit in Joshua Tree, January - April 2020
Joshua Tree National Park Art Expo and Juried Show~
Twentynine Palms, CA, September 2019
Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours 2018-2019
JTAG Expo 2019 ~ Joshua Tree ~June 2019
"Habitat" ~ Gallery 62, Joshua Tree ~ June 2019
"Dialog Group Show": Women Artists ~ Glass Outhouse Art Gallery, Wonder Valley, CA - May 2019
"Pathways" Solo Exhibit ~ 29 Palms Art Gallery~ February 2019
49th MultiMedia Mini Show ~ Redlands Art Association and Gallery ~ February 2018
Joshua Tree National Park Art Expo and Juried Show~
Twentynine Palms, CA, September 2017
"Figure It Out" Solo Exhibit ~ Gallery 62 ~ Joshua Tree, CA ~ September 2017
Gallery 62 ~ The Body Eclectic ~ Joshua Tree, CA ~ June 2017
29 Palms Inn, Art in Public Places ~ January ~ March 2017
Art Colony of Morongo Valley ~ Featured Artist ~ Morongo Valley ~ November 2016
Gallery 62 ~ Joshua Tree, CA ~ October 2016
Joshua Tree National Park Art Expo and Juried Show~
Twentynine Palms, CA, September 2016
Glass Outhouse Art Gallery ~ Featured Artist - April 2016 ~Twentynine Palms, CA
Yucca Valley Gallery and Gifts, Featured Artist ~ June 2016 ~ Yucca Valley, CA
The Artists, Hi Desert Medical Center Sponsored by the Hi-Desert Cultural Center ~
Featured Artist ~ April - June ~ Joshua Tree, CA
Redlands Art Association, Featured Artist ~ February 2016 ~ Redlands, CA
Gallery 62 ~ Joshua Tree, CA ~ Shades of the Earth ~ November 2015
Joshua Tree National Park Art Expo and Juried Show~ Twentynine Palms, CA,
November 2015
Art, for Heaven Sake ~ Redlands, CA ~ October 2015
T.E. Studios, Riverside CA ~ May - October, 2015
Joshua Tree National Park Spring Art Festival April 2015
Winter Skies, Twentynine Palms Chamber and Art Gallery
Gallery 62 Joshua Tree CA, Shibui - A Collective Exhibit of 6 High Desert Artists,
January 2 - February 1, 2015
29 Palms Art Gallery - Collective Show - Dialogue Group - 2015
Joshua Tree National Park Art Expo and Juried Show, Twentynine Palms, CA,
December 2014
Joshua Tree Branch Library, Joshua Tree CA, September - December 2014
Art, for Heaven Sake ~ Redlands, CA ~ October 2014
Gallery 62, Joshua Tree, CA, 6 Chicks + 2 September 2014
Gallery 62, Joshua Tree, CA ~ Desert Inspirations ~ June, July 2014
California State University at San Bernardino Art Fair, - May 2014
Joshua Tree Rocks, Twentynine Palms, Chamber of Commerce, Twentynine Palms,
CA ~ Spring, 2014
Art in the Park, Joshua Tree National Park Headquarters, Twentynine Palms, CA ~
April 2014
California E(S)capes (solo exhibit ~ Twentynine Palms Art Gallery, Twentynine Palms,
CA~ March 2014
Head in the Clouds, Feet on the Ground (Janis Commentz and Esther Shaw) Glass Outhouse Art Gallery, Wonder Valley, CA ~ January 2014
Joshua Tree National Park Art Show and Faire ~ Twentynine Palms, CA ~ December 2013
Joshua Tree Art Gallery, Joshua Tree, CA ~ May, September, October 2013 ~ February, May and Abracadabra ~ 2014
Art, for Heaven Sake ~ Redlands, CA ~ October 2013
WorkshopWORKS~ Palm Springs Museum of Art, Palm Springs, CA ~ May 2013
Women's Collective, Sacred Space Gallery, Pioneertown, CA ~ December 2011
Joshua Tree Branch Library ~ Solo Exhibit ~ January 2011
Hwy 62 Art Tours ~ Joshua Tree, CA ~ October 2012, 2013, 2014
Hwy 62 Art ~ Morongo Basin Life Drawing League, Joshua Tree, CA
~ October 2009, 2010, 2011
Art at the Aspen ~ Apple Valley CA ~ October 2012, 2013
Go Figure- Morongo Basin Cultural Arts Council Collective Show ~ Joshua Tree, CA 2008
Perigord Retreats, Gourdon France (2019) ~ First Painting Competition
49th Mutimedia Mini Show Redlands (2018) ~ Second Place
Chaparral Artists Fall Show ~ Second Place
The Southland Show ~ First Place
I Heart Art ~ Jerry's Artarama ~ Third Place
EXHIBITS and FESTIVALS
Soul Connection, Joshua Tree ~ Solo Exhibit ~ September 14 - October 10, 2024
Joshua Tree National Park Association ~ "History of Joshua Tree National Park," ~ February 2024
2024 Faces & Friends Beatnik Lounge, Joshua Tree, CA ~ January 2024
Joshua Tree National Park Art Expo and Juried Show~
Twentynine Palms, CA, November 2023
Pilates & Arts - Solo Exhibit "Desert Driven" ~ February March April 2023
29 Palms Art Gallery - Hope in Sight - Dialogue Group / 10 Women Artists ~ January 2023
Joshua Tree National Park Art Expo and Juried Show~
Twentynine Palms, CA, November 2022
Joshua Tree National Park Art Expo and Juried Show~
Twentynine Palms, CA, November 2021
Joshua Tree National Park Art Expo and Juried Show~
Twentynine Palms, CA, September 2020
TheArtists~exhibit in Joshua Tree, January - April 2020
Joshua Tree National Park Art Expo and Juried Show~
Twentynine Palms, CA, September 2019
Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours 2018-2019
JTAG Expo 2019 ~ Joshua Tree ~June 2019
"Habitat" ~ Gallery 62, Joshua Tree ~ June 2019
"Dialog Group Show": Women Artists ~ Glass Outhouse Art Gallery, Wonder Valley, CA - May 2019
"Pathways" Solo Exhibit ~ 29 Palms Art Gallery~ February 2019
49th MultiMedia Mini Show ~ Redlands Art Association and Gallery ~ February 2018
Joshua Tree National Park Art Expo and Juried Show~
Twentynine Palms, CA, September 2017
"Figure It Out" Solo Exhibit ~ Gallery 62 ~ Joshua Tree, CA ~ September 2017
Gallery 62 ~ The Body Eclectic ~ Joshua Tree, CA ~ June 2017
29 Palms Inn, Art in Public Places ~ January ~ March 2017
Art Colony of Morongo Valley ~ Featured Artist ~ Morongo Valley ~ November 2016
Gallery 62 ~ Joshua Tree, CA ~ October 2016
Joshua Tree National Park Art Expo and Juried Show~
Twentynine Palms, CA, September 2016
Glass Outhouse Art Gallery ~ Featured Artist - April 2016 ~Twentynine Palms, CA
Yucca Valley Gallery and Gifts, Featured Artist ~ June 2016 ~ Yucca Valley, CA
The Artists, Hi Desert Medical Center Sponsored by the Hi-Desert Cultural Center ~
Featured Artist ~ April - June ~ Joshua Tree, CA
Redlands Art Association, Featured Artist ~ February 2016 ~ Redlands, CA
Gallery 62 ~ Joshua Tree, CA ~ Shades of the Earth ~ November 2015
Joshua Tree National Park Art Expo and Juried Show~ Twentynine Palms, CA,
November 2015
Art, for Heaven Sake ~ Redlands, CA ~ October 2015
T.E. Studios, Riverside CA ~ May - October, 2015
Joshua Tree National Park Spring Art Festival April 2015
Winter Skies, Twentynine Palms Chamber and Art Gallery
Gallery 62 Joshua Tree CA, Shibui - A Collective Exhibit of 6 High Desert Artists,
January 2 - February 1, 2015
29 Palms Art Gallery - Collective Show - Dialogue Group - 2015
Joshua Tree National Park Art Expo and Juried Show, Twentynine Palms, CA,
December 2014
Joshua Tree Branch Library, Joshua Tree CA, September - December 2014
Art, for Heaven Sake ~ Redlands, CA ~ October 2014
Gallery 62, Joshua Tree, CA, 6 Chicks + 2 September 2014
Gallery 62, Joshua Tree, CA ~ Desert Inspirations ~ June, July 2014
California State University at San Bernardino Art Fair, - May 2014
Joshua Tree Rocks, Twentynine Palms, Chamber of Commerce, Twentynine Palms,
CA ~ Spring, 2014
Art in the Park, Joshua Tree National Park Headquarters, Twentynine Palms, CA ~
April 2014
California E(S)capes (solo exhibit ~ Twentynine Palms Art Gallery, Twentynine Palms,
CA~ March 2014
Head in the Clouds, Feet on the Ground (Janis Commentz and Esther Shaw) Glass Outhouse Art Gallery, Wonder Valley, CA ~ January 2014
Joshua Tree National Park Art Show and Faire ~ Twentynine Palms, CA ~ December 2013
Joshua Tree Art Gallery, Joshua Tree, CA ~ May, September, October 2013 ~ February, May and Abracadabra ~ 2014
Art, for Heaven Sake ~ Redlands, CA ~ October 2013
WorkshopWORKS~ Palm Springs Museum of Art, Palm Springs, CA ~ May 2013
Women's Collective, Sacred Space Gallery, Pioneertown, CA ~ December 2011
Joshua Tree Branch Library ~ Solo Exhibit ~ January 2011
Hwy 62 Art Tours ~ Joshua Tree, CA ~ October 2012, 2013, 2014
Hwy 62 Art ~ Morongo Basin Life Drawing League, Joshua Tree, CA
~ October 2009, 2010, 2011
Art at the Aspen ~ Apple Valley CA ~ October 2012, 2013
Go Figure- Morongo Basin Cultural Arts Council Collective Show ~ Joshua Tree, CA 2008
