For the past few years Jane Seymour has been exhibiting her art at the prestigious New York Art Expo at the Javits Center in New York City. The four-hour bus trip to New York from Boston had therefore become an annual tradition for me, one I wasn’t about to break despite the ominous weather forecasts this year. After all I was getting used to these snowstorms now- so what if my 4 hour bus ride might well turn into a 6 hour one! (luckily the storm broke a few days before the art show)

I hadn’t seen Jane since the DQ Times Reunion dinner in May of 2004 so I was looking forward both to reconnecting and to viewing all her latest pieces. In previous years I had stayed with friends, who knowing my complete lack of sense of direction had thought it wise not to leave me wandering New York city alone! This year, plans hadn’t meshed so determined not to let fear of getting hopelessly lost deter me, I had selected a hotel only 3 blocks from the Javits; assuming that even I would be able to navigate a few city blocks! Maybe I still would have gotten lost though I don’t know had the center not been 3 blocks straight in one direction!

The first sight that greeted me on entering the Javits Saturday March 5th, after passing the registration booth, was a large poster advertising Jane’s personal appearance there. Unlike last year, where a similar poster had adorned Jane’s own booth, this year Jane’s image welcomed everyone to the art show itself, presumably a sign that Jane was considered one of if not “the” main attraction.

Coral Canyon’s booth (Jane’s art representative) this year was open to the main thoroughfare and not closed off by partitions as it had been in the past; a fact that everyone on Jane’s team, including Jane, seemed to appreciate. I’m not so sure the artists opposite her were as thrilled though, since during the two days of the show, they often saw more of the “backs’ of potential customers (who had gathered around Jane’s booth) then the front!

I arrived around 1:30 and already Jane’s booth was bustling with activity. I spotted her immediately, looking fresh and beautiful as always and she greeted me with a warm hug as did her art director Susan Luks. It felt like a reunion of sorts as I hadn’t seen Susan since the DQ Times reunion dinner either. Susan’s husband was there as well as Tom Aikens, the owner of the Margaret Smith Gallery, where I had bought my print of the Grand Allee a few years ago. (much to my own surprise and everyone else’s I think at the time!) After initial greetings, I wandered off for a bit to peruse the collection, knowing there would be plenty of time to converse over the next few days.

The first thing that caught my eye was the Michaela & Sully painting which Jane had brought to our DQ times reunion as a surprise for those gathered there. Originally it had been designed as a commemorative poster for the DQ Times event but Jane hadn’t been able to secure the rights to the image in time so she had cautioned all there that the image was not to be displayed publicly on the internet (a request which all of course complied with) Now however the beautiful portrait done in tones of sepia hung proudly on one wall in all its glory- a testament to Jane’s greatest role- Michaela Quinn (at least as far as millions of Dr. Quinn fans were concerned anyway!). Susan, Jane’s art director approached while I was gazing at the painting and informed me excitedly that they were officially now taking pre- orders for the giclee print. I promised her I would get the word out ASAP (which I did the next morning!) and that we would promote it on our DQ Times website and through all our mailing lists. She nodded, appreciatively. At that moment, Jane herself came over and explained that while they had to ‘take care of” the collectors who favored prints and originals, she was by no means planning on ignoring the Dr. Quinn fans, who might be on a limited budget. She talked about doing ‘paper’ versions of the image (as opposed to giclee) and that these would be available in different sizes at a much more affordable price eventually. I assured her, that there were those who would have to have the actual print- but that fans of the series unable to purchase the more expensive version would be grateful to have it available in any format!

As this was a rare interlude in between posing for pictures and showing her art, Jane lingered to chat. Our discussion ran the gamut from her appearances on Smallville to her recent narration of a documentary on the critical world water shortage, to an upcoming movie called The Blind Guy, she would soon be making with James to the news that she had been invited to visit Australia with her art and possibly China as well.

Jane seemed both amused and flattered when I informed her that there was currently speculation among the Smallville fans about the possibility of her character Genevieve, and Michael Rosenbaum’s character Lex Luthor getting together romantically. “You have real sexual chemistry”, I pointed out. She laughed and said she enjoyed working with him but was surprised the fans had reacted that way. She mentioned that she would be doing more episodes of the series for May sweeps and that she had one script unread at home. She suspected though, her character was headed for a ‘dramatic’ demise! We then discussed her upcoming film Wedding Crashers, which she worried might not appeal to all the ‘Quinn fans.’ I quickly put her fears to rest by assuring her that “Jane fans” were just so thrilled to see her again on the big screen in ANYTHING! She also mentioned she would be doing a film with James soon, called “The Blind Guy. James had mentioned this to me in the past and had promised that though Jane would not be the lead, her role would be ‘hilarious” Jane confirmed that yes it was very funny and she believed we would enjoy it. We caught up on some of the other Quinn cast’s projects as well, including Joe’s newest role as a ‘vampire” (she laughed at that) and William’s new band, Seedy Side as well as Chad Allen’s new detective series.

She then drew me over to her desk to point out her newest piece an engaging image – a self portrait in the shape of a wine glass. Proudly she informed me that she had been selected this year’s feature artist for the Naples Wine Festival (Florida) and had created the painting with that in mind. She explained she had been out with friends the night before and while demonstrating her technique had begun doodling on her napkin. She had awoken inspired and this (the image) was the result. I assured her it was delightful and perfect for the event.

On a table nearby, something else caught my eye- a sculpture of what looked to me like an African native. Jane confirmed that yes, she had now added sculpting to her repetoire of artistic mediums and that she had done that piece recently while in England, which she .added was really the only place she found time to sculpt. She explained that unlike some sculptors, she preferred the classical- bronze. I asked her if she used live models and she said yes, in fact she had had John and Kris model for some. By this time a group had gathered to listen to Jane’s description of her technique and shortly after, she was claimed once more by fans eager to get that once in a lifetime photo with her, or to discuss her paintings.

As I resumed my exploration of Jane’s artwork, I was amazed as always, how many new pieces had been added.

I was especially drawn to a set of floral prints depicting individual flowers, done in such vivid hues they looked as if they had been painted on velvet. I soon realized I wasn’t alone in my appreciation of these pieces, as they proved so popular they were literally disappearing off the walls.

 

 

Another that proved to be a favorite with the patrons was a colorful print of a little boy in a large football helmet. The tow headed child looked suspiciously like Jane’s own son Kris, (which it proved to be). It was ultimately purchased by a young man who Jane herself remarked looked like Kris as an adult. One by one as paintings were taken down and carried away by happy customers I noticed Jane looking almost wistful at times as if reluctant to see these little pieces of herself go. “ I asked her if it were hard to part with the paintings when clearly she had poured so much of herself into them. She admitted that she had mixed feelings sometimes about selling some of them but that it thrilled her at the same time when a favorite piece went to a good home.

 

Much of the rest of the day was spent engaging in one of my favorite pastimes when attending these shows- observing the reactions of people to Jane and her art and taking note of those special ‘moments’ that seem to occur whenever Jane connects with her ‘fans’.

Next (My thanks to Brianna and all those who contributed photos to this feature)