Novak, Janna

I am a true Washingtonian with a strong Norwegian heritage that ties me to the sea. The majority of my life has been spent in, near, or on the waters of the Puget Sound. My cozy home/studio is on Day Island where living on the water feeds my soul and opens the door to my creative spirit.

As an artist of many media, I delight in capturing light and shadow in photography, painting with the vivid colors and textures of encaustic paint, and creating art of the ordinary. I have designed and created fashionable walking canes, colorful custom stemware, and thousands of note tablets featuring my own original photography. These products have been used and enjoyed by many over the years.

Creating a “Chair of Art” has been a unique and wonderful experience. I am deeply honored to have been included as a contributor in this wonderful fundraiser.

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Chair Affair Artist

Creating a “Chair of Art” has been a unique and wonderful experience. I am deeply honored to have been included as a contributor in this wonderful fundraiser.

Corks

2013 Chair Affair

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As the artist, my intent was to design a chair of interest, beauty and value. My friends and fellow wine lovers were my inspiration in creating this chair, CORKS. What we have taken for granted for so many years is slowly slipping away due to the marketing of artificial wine corks as well as the introduction of screw top wine bottles. To preserve this element in time, I designed a chair which required over “70 natural corks.” Needless to say, my friends and I stepped up to the challenge. For the completion of this chair prior to the auction, we did what we needed to do to obtain the “natural corks.”

By using a vast selection of different wines, the corks are all unique in character by shape, color and texture. In meeting the criteria for the show, removing the names and logo’s of the wines was necessary but, rest assured, only fine wine corks embrace this chair. To enhance the corks’ durability, they have been varnished, glued and stapled to heavy-duty flexible plastic. This plastic is secured to the back of chair with the additional backing of metal sheeting which also provides support to the corks.

Agua

2014 Chair Affair

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As an artist, my intent was to design a chair which would be viewed as functional art. My inspiration in the design comes from my love of boating as well as my passion for the sea.

My next door neighbor gave me this bar stool. When I studied the chair, it became obvious that this was going to be the chair for this show. The height, dark stain and lines dictated a nautical theme, which I was very happy to follow. I took a strong and adventurous approach in creating the chair. I almost gave it an industrial feel which I think blends in nicely with yachting. Beside my little whimsical touch of the swimming whales on the fabric I attempted to keep the design lean and bold, sturdy as a ship.

Cork Table

2015 Chair Affair

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As the artist, my intent was to create a table which is functional, interesting as well as ethically pleasing to the eye.

My inspiration: The WINE CORK

With the marketing and production of artificial wine corks, along with the introduction of the screw top, the “wine cork” which we have taken for granted for so many years is slowly slipping away. In a few short years the natural cork will be a thing of the past. So, to preserve this element in time, I designed a cork table. This creation required “300” natural wine corks. Needless to say, for the completion of this table prior to the auction, my friends and I stepped up to the challenge and we did what we needed to do to obtain the “natural corks.” Cheers!

Table description:

By using a vast selection of different types of wines, the corks display a unique character in shape color and texture. I varnished the top portion of these corks to enhance the durability, texture and coloring of these corks. Clear glass rods have been added to reflect light and frame the corks. The sheet of glass has been placed slightly above the corks for a visual effect and to provide table functionality. I wrapped and glued the sides of the table with sheets of cork and added the brass tacking for texture and interest. Then painted the legs of the table with a complimentary color to the corks. My signature has been discretely placed on the upper part of the back leg of the table.

Double Trouble

2016 Chair Affair

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My inspiration came when I first saw these two recycled office chairs sitting in a Seattle consignment shop. I realized two chairs would be twice the work, but they just seemed to belong together. So, I had no other option than to double my trouble. They looked like a couple of really FUN chairs with great potential. The airy design of the curved wood dictated a chic new look. So I took a strong and adventurous approach in creating these chairs. From Contemporary to Craftsmen, I think the design will blend in nicely in a variety of settings. Besides the little whimsical touch on the legs, I attempted to keep the design of the chairs lean and bold.

As my starting point, I completely stripped the chairs down to the wooden frame. I replaced the existing padding with foam and batting, and upholstered the chairs with a unique fabric which flows with the lines in the chair frame. To compliment the fabric, I dipped the chair legs into two colors of paint. For the finishing touch, I added a little whimsical dash of small black beads around each of the legs.