The Passing My Mentor, Jan Crouch

When I was in high school we had this thing called a senior project. You had to pick a topic you were interested in, find a mentor and create something with them in hopes of learning something out of it. It was a really neat project that I truly enjoyed and still use what I learned today (I think this is one thing every school should do). I have always been a huge fan of art and creativity, so I choose painting and a lady by the name of Jan Crouch to be my mentor. Jan Crouch was a painter from Asheville NC and was an incredible artist. It amazed me what she could do with a brush. She made it seem so simple.

Jan was different then most teachers as she was suffering from alzheimer’s disease at the time. So it was always an interesting time going there to learn from her. She would give me the same tour of her house and show me her paintings every time I went there never remembering I had been given it several times before. I wouldn’t tell her I had already seen them because I really enjoyed watching her tell the stories about them and the brightness in her eyes that came out from talking about her creations. It was always a treat for me to see such passion from the meaning behind the incredible works of art. Jan did an extremely cool painting of the Thomas Wolfe angel statue (pictured above) which was inspired by his book: Look Homeward, Angel. I will never forget Jan’s lessons on painting and passion. It was an inspiration. I use her lessons every time when I get a chance to stop and paint. This past week Jan passed on to a better place.

Jan, you were a great teacher that I will never forget the lessons. Thank you so much for helping fuel one of my personal passions.

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