Jan Yatsko, Artist email: jan@janyatsko.com

Paintings of Costa Rican life past and present

Within my paintings, I try to tell a story about the daily life of Costa Rica. I apply acrylic paint in layers of washes, just as in life our experiences are layered upon another.  Among those painted layers, I incorporate stampings of pre-Columbian images originally created in Costa Rica of gold, jade and clay as well as calligraphic-style drawings from a Guaymi shaman’s sacred journal.  When I include these images during the painting process, I am calling the past to be part of the present. Painted replicas of mango leaves are collaged on top of the finished painting in a cascading arrangement. All of these elements are what defines my work and my thoughts.  What the viewer sees in my paintings are many layers of Costa Rican life rich in color, texture and tradition.

I use Art Journals to explore new ideas

I have several art journals going on at one time to experiment with new ideas, to capture a written or visual  thought or a travel moment. It is my place to leave behind perfectionism and to play like a child.  

Versatile artist for 32 years

I have done many things during my 32 years as an artist and craftsperson. Highlights include designing gift products for retail, wholesale and catalogue markets; creating banners for conferences, restaurants, malls, banks and libraries; designing travel clothing for women and creating art to be exhibited in shows and galleries throughout the United States, Europe and Costa Rica.  I want to be remembered as someone who inspired people by guiding them on their own path to creativity and art-discovery. Everyone is creative and it is through this process of self-discovery that one experiences the joy of accomplishment and the self-confidence and desire to explore more.

My fiber work was featured in the book “The Basketmaker’s Art- Contemporary Baskets and Their Makers”. My art work is in many private collections in Costa Rica, Europe and the USA as well as  the corporation, Armstrong World Industries and the Lancaster (PA) Museum of Art..

I want to fill Atenas with art work

My latest on-going project is to fill my town of Atenas, Costa Rica with original art work. I have started with the new Atenas Health Clinic. Both foreign and Costa Rican artists who live in Atenas have donated their art work to the clinic. Art is now hanging on the walls to create a colorful and uplifting environment for the patients and the workers.  Interior murals designed by area elementary and high school students and an outdoor sculpture are future projects at the clinic as well as the town park.

Peek into Jan Yatsko’s daily life in Costa Rica Pura Vida Costa Rica

Copyright Jan Yatsko June 2008