Janet Rickus (b. 1949, Chicopee, MA) received her education from Central Connecticut State University. However, when it comes to painting she was mostly self-taught, developing an aesthetic that is purely her own. Focusing on still life painting, Rickus sets up compositions with fruits, vegetables, and vessels that seem to be in communication with one another. She says that “the first steps of a still life painting, the pre-painting choices and care that go into setting up a composition, are the most crucial ones for me and often the most difficult. There’s a lot of trial and error involved in getting all the parts to make a whole, cohesive composition. [...] The items are then arranged with an eye on colors, tones, textures, abstract design, and negative space, with objects overlapping, touching, and leaning to create the feeling and mood of the painting—all done with a dose of affection.” The results showcase her style that is crisp, subdued, and thoughtful.
Rickus has had many solo and group shows, including an exhibition at the Berkshire Museum in Massachusetts. She was the recipient of the 2006 Massachusetts Cultural Council Artist Grant, and her work is in a wide range of private collections.