‘Local’s Choice’ Tips from Susan Jankowski
Islamorada artist Susan Jankowski, who teaches art classes at the Ocean Reef Art League, is a true Keys free spirit who paints impressionistic works and hosts groups for private paint nights.
“I’m fast and loose and free. If I’m feeling it, I’m happy,” said Jankowski, a certified art teacher with an education background.
Jankowski is the daughter of an artist and a descendant of Islamorada’s pioneering Pinder and Cothron families. She asks her art students to create five things: a still life, a landscape, a seascape, something with eyes, and glass. Through those exercises, her novice students learn how to use various brushes and mix color.
The concept behind that teaching technique, according to Jankowski, is that after a student has painted those five subjects — while exploring techniques of light and shadow, color and feeling, materiality and atmosphere — they can learn to paint anything.
Jankowski recently turned over the popular Islamorada studio, Limelight Studios at 151 Morada Way, to youngest daughter Julianne or “Jul,” also a homegrown Keys artist.
Jul is known for re-creating the colorful giant mermaid at the entrance of Islamorada’s Lorelei Restaurant and Cabana Bar, and is painting a huge new mural at Three Waters Resort & Marina (also in Islamorada).
Jankowski, whose husband Dave is a contractor, has two other children — oldest daughter Marissa, who works in Nashville’s music industry; and son Edward, a yacht captain out of Ocean Reef in the northern Keys.
Her inspiration and creativity come largely from the Keys.
“My eyes are always looking,” she said. “Here in the Keys, everything you look at is so very beautiful.”
Her motto: “Love your life. Celebrate what’s good. Seek and enjoy the beauty around you. Take care of your family and friends. Stand by your principles.”
Where she dines: Mostly at home with freshly grilled fish, Key limes, avocado, tomatoes and butter. In Islamorada, at Chef Michael’s, Square Grouper, Papa Joe’s Waterfront and the Oceanview Inn & Sports Pub; in Tavernier, at Old Tavernier and Dillon’s Pub and Grill for its grouper Reuben.
Where she explores: “The backcountry is my favorite place to explore. I also love the oceanside and going to Alligator Reef Lighthouse when no one else is there.”
How she relaxes: “Napping makes me a better person. Going out in the boat is delightful, as are cooking and being with family and friends. My life is actually kind of relaxing at this era.”
Islamorada artist Susan Jankowski is a veteran Keys artist who says in the Keys, 'everything you look at is so very beautiful.'
Jankowski's art is filled with color and inspired by the both the undersea and above water scenes found throughout the Florida Keys.
Jankowski recently turned over her Limelight Studios space at Morada Way over to youngest daughter, Jul, known for re-creating the giant mermaid at Lorelei Restaurant in Islamorada.