Learning to let go didn’t come easily to Georgia artist Janice Rago.
In college, a painting professor encouraged her to loosen up, experiment, and move beyond her perfectionist tendencies.
Years later, that lesson is at the heart of Rago’s figurative paintings, where female figures, florals and unexpected elements come together in compositions that balance control with spontaneity.
Artist: Rago was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and grew up in a military family, spending her childhood between Europe and South Georgia, and her summers with family in South Korea.
She earned her BFA in studio art from Valdosta State University in 2009. After college, Rago moved to Austin, TX, to pursue her art for a few years.
Rago now lives and works out of a dedicated studio in her house in Decatur, GA.
In the beginning: Rago said she has been drawn to art for as long as she can remember.
“My mom is incredibly creative,” said Rago. “And some of my earliest memories are of watching her draw and wanting to be able to do what she could do.”
Rago entered college thinking she would pursue graphic design, but while at Valdosta State University, she fell in love with painting.
“One of my professors, Harry Ally, had a huge influence on me,” said Rago.
After college, she continued painting and developing her own style.
Over time, Rago’s practice grew into exhibitions, commissions, public art and large-scale murals, eventually allowing her to build a full-time career as a fine artist.
Art & materials: Oil paintings ($700 to $18,000-plus), featuring female figures with florals and unexpected elements. Paintings range from smaller works on paper to large-scale paintings on canvas and panel.
Rago also incorporates mixed-media elements, such as rose gold leaf, often allowing the materials themselves to become part of how a piece evolves.
“I’m always fighting the urge to overwork something while also trying to let go and trust the process,” added Rago. “I think that tension has become an important part of my work – the balance between what I can control and what I allow to just happen.”
Tools:
- Oil paints and a variety of brushes.
- Palette knives and anything that helps her create texture.
- Liquin is also a must-have because it helps speed up the drying time of her oil paintings.
- And plenty of rags. “I somehow manage to unintentionally get paint on everything,” said Rago.
Inspirations:
- Nature, the female form and fashion.
- Textures or color combinations she comes across in everyday life.
- Looking at different periods of art, especially work that combines strong figurative elements with decorative details, florals, or unexpected compositions.
Fun & special commissions:
- A 12-foot by 28-foot mural installation for the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Orchid Daze exhibit.
“Seeing my work surrounded by all the beautiful flowers was mesmerizing,” said Rago.
- A textured mural for Starbucks at Interlock, a mixed-use space in Atlanta on Northside and 11th Street.
“It was a fun opportunity to experiment with dimension on a much larger scale,” said Rago.
Recent awards/honors:
- Received the College of the Arts Distinguished Alumna Award from Valdosta State University. 2022.
- Received a design award from the City of Decatur Historic Preservation Commission. 2024.
Recent project: A solo exhibition, “Tending the Wild,” at Cat Eye Creative Gallery in downtown Decatur. The show runs through Oct. 11.
“It was my first solo exhibition since having my son, which made it especially meaningful,” said Rago. “I spent several months creating the collection and pushing myself in some new directions.”
What’s next:
- A few commissions for private collectors and for a charity auction fundraiser benefitting Canine Cellmates.
- Will have a piece in a group exhibition at ABV Gallery, Atlanta, January 2027.
Where to buy:
- Cat Eye Creative gallery, Decatur, GA.
- ABV Gallery, Atlanta.
- Artist’s website: janiceragoart.com
Connect:
- Instagram: @janiceragoart
- Facebook: Janice Rago Art
