BACKSTREET GALLERY

Dual Featured Artists: Jan Landrum and Shelly Medeiros

 

            Talented artists, Jan Landrum and Shelly Medeiros liven up May with their special show. Backstreet Gallery, 1421 Bay Street, celebrates their exhibit with a reception, Saturday, May 13th, 3-5 PM, during the Second Saturday Gallery Tour.

            Long time Florence resident, Jan Landrum began working in oils and collages in the ‘70’s. She displayed her work in Florence’s first artists’ co-op, Gallery of Local Artists.

            Fostering her love of art, Jan took watercolor classes from Bob Kutch and Susan Weathers. It was instant love with the first splash of water, which describes many of her pieces that depict luminous ocean and water scenes.

            Her work includes subject matter from florals and ocean scenes to still-lifes and portraits.  Some paintings are soft as a summer breeze. Others exhibit a dramatic flair.

            She’s a member of Figure Eights. Twice monthly they gather to work using live models as their subjects. This activity has fine-tuned her drawing skills and challenges her watercolor abilities. She looks forward to trying acrylic painting.

            Jan’s work has been shown in Peace Harbor hospital, Siuslaw Library plus various restaurants. She is long time member of Backstreet.

            When Jan steps onto her deck overlooking four acres, she’s greeted with a burst of pansies and colorful flowers she tends with a green thumb and her beloved Chihuahua Suzie beside her.

            Shelly Medeiros is a jewelry designer extraordinaire. Blending wire, leather along with a host of beautiful cabochons, semi-precious stones, and crystals, she creates distinctive jewelry that takes any outfit from ordinary to striking.

            She is self-taught in the ancient technique of wire wrapping. Each wire is delicately wrapped in, out and around the piece as precisely as a pen and ink artist. Reminiscent of the Pacific tides her work and passion are intimately connected to the beautiful coastal environment that inspires her.

            Originally from South Dakota, she and her husband moved to California where she established a career in the accounting world as controller and general manager of a New York wedding distributing company. Vacationing in this picturesque area prompted her move to Florence.

            The couple quickly established themselves in the community through volunteer work and recreational activities.

             Treasurer of Backstreet Gallery, Shelly is a member whose hard work, technical skills and creativity have updated Backstreet Gallery to a new level by designing their outstanding website and new sales tracking and inventory systems. Please check out her handiwork at backstreetgallery.org.

            Shelly is also quite active with her daughter Jolene’s FTS Internet Lounge next to Backstreet Gallery on Bay Street.

             Enjoy the upcoming reception and meet these two outstanding artists on May 13, from 3-5PM on the Second Saturday Gallery tour with great art and delicious refreshments.