DOB (c) 1976-2009
Janelle began painting in 2001 – a young mother surrounded by the artists of her Arnkawenyerr community, who encouraged and supported her. Arnkawenyerr lies just outside of Urapuntja on Alyawarr lands but is still known as the Utopia region. Janelle lived there with her husband’s family (artists Mary, Lucky and Sarah Morton and Angelina Pwerle) and at her traditional homelands at Hermannsburg and Papunya. Billy Stockman Tjapaltjarri, who is famed for being one of the original members of the Papunya Tula artists, is Janelle’s grandfather who inspired her motivation and creativity.
Janelle’s paintings are contemporary in style, featuring bold lineage, concentric circles and occasional dot work. Janelle was an innovator who experimented with colour and design.
Artitja Fine Art first featured Janelle’s work at their Desert Dreamings: The Bush Yam Story Exhibition in October 2004. This was the first time her work was shown in Western Australia. National exhibitions followed, but sadly, Janelle’s life was taken in a car accident in 2009.