Jo Lynne Lair has had a love and interest for art since early childhood. Her interest continued into high school where she was selected to participate in a 4 year commercial art and architectural drawing program. Upon graduation from high school, she used her talents to letter speed boats, trucks and trailers and did illustration and advertising work for Sears, Stix Baer & Fuller and the May Company. This helped fund her college education at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale Florida.
Marriage and the birth of her son occupied her attention until 1990 where her love of art came to the forefront once again. She wanted to find a way to share her enthusiasm with art and open that door to others with a desire to learn so she attended the Bob Ross Certification Program and became a Certified Instructor. In 1991, she began teaching this method of painting.
Jo Lynne’s medium of choice is oil painting, but she also loves watercolor and acrylics as well. She has also done some limited sculpting. Her love of the arts has lead her to travel and learn from other nationally and internationally known professional artists. She became one of the first Dorothy Dent Certified Instructors. Dent’s method allows even beginning painters to follow step by step instructions to complete a painting they can be proud of.
Jo Lynne is a juried artist and has exhibited her work in several local galleries. In May of 2005, her portrait of “Barney Bush” was presented to President George W. Bush and was hung in a place of honor in the White House. In October 2005, two additional Presidential Pet Portraits of “India Bush” and “Miss Beazley” were presented to President and First Lady Laura Bush.
Jo Lynne and her husband, Jim, reside in East Alton, Illinois with their 6 cats. She keeps challenging herself to learn more by photographing, painting and taking classes, while at the same time teaching others. She teaches classes at various venues around the states as well as locally in her area.
Jo Lynne and Jim are passionate about wildlife and domestic animals and have supported animal welfare organizations by serving on the boards of local humane society and donating their time, painting, prints and funds to this cause. Her love of animals can be seen in her work as well.
