Janis Purpura

I have been painting and drawing since childhood, always drawn to color, texture, and the freedom of creative expression. Over the years, my artistic journey has been shaped by a love of experimentation and discovery, leading me to work in a wide range of mediums including watercolor, acrylic, and encaustic wax. Each medium has deepened my understanding of movement, layering, and the emotional language of art.

Today, my work is primarily created with alcohol inks, a medium I’m deeply inspired by for its fluidity and unpredictability. I focus mainly on abstract florals allowing the inks to move organically while gently guiding them into forms that feel both expressive and intentional. This balance between control and surrender is central to my process.

Most people are unfamiliar with the medium, alcohol inks. This art form is a vibrant, fluid art form using fast-drying, highly pigmented inks made with alcohol as a base. It is traditionally used on non-porous surfaces like Yupo paper, glass, ceramic or metal. I drop the inks onto surfaces and manipulate it with isopropyl alcohol, heat-tools, or air to create abstract, translucent layers. Common techniques include blowing ink with straws, canned air, airbrush or just using gravity to tilt and guide the colors allowing them to move freely and interact in unpredictable ways.

It is very important to seal the finished works, as with all mediums, the are not lightfast. I do this using UV- archival protective coatings to preserve the vibrancy and longevity of the colors, transforming the delicate flow of ink into a lasting painting.

I truly love to experiment with many mediums and diversify. Each new experience is a lesson in color, depth and composition.

My newest experimentation is with encaustic wax. This is an ancient art form using heated, pigmented beeswax mixed with Damar resin, applied to a rigid substrate. It requires immediate fusing of layers with heat to create multi-layered, luminous, textured results.

I continue to take classes in many mediums and stay open to experimentation to keep up with my love of creating.