Ferraro blog: Janet Milne, a woman who was respected, admired and loved.

Janet, hard at work on thumbnails, Le Piannore, Tuscany, 2015

On Thursday January 25th, 2024, I received a shocking phonecall, that Janet Milne had died suddenly that morning. Everyone is in shock, as Janet was a model for me, of how to live a healthy meaningful life. I always admired her, and often thought I wanted to be just like her when I get older.

the lighthouse at Pointe au Baril, soft pastel by Janet Milne

I met Janet many years ago (guessing 20 years?) when she phoned me, she had been referred to me as the pastel teacher in the Ottawa area. I was teaching a workshop that week, and Janet showed up in no time, with works in progress. Like many of my students, she was in disarray, because something was wrong with her drawing, and she couldn't figure out what it was. The painting, in pastel was of her granddaughter. It was easy for me to help her with the proportions, and voila, the piece was much better quickly. Janet was thrilled.

A winner, on location, soft pastel.

The next day, Janet showed up at the workshop, and thrust a bottle of wine in my hand. She said "You're the best art teacher I've ever had". And thus began, the long friendship, bolstered by many life drawing workshops, every pastel class I ever taught, plein air, and her loyalty in coming on as many of my painting trips as she could muster. There was a nucleus, and small group of very loyal students who took many classes with me. When I left the Ottawa area to take care of aging parents, Barb Dickson took the flag, and kept the group going, with weekly plein air excursions that I am proud to say still go on to this day. Thanks Barb. Janet was an integral part of this ongoing group. To this day they paint, hike and snowshoe together and I'm sure Janet will be very much missed by everyone in this group.

appreciating nature

There are so many things I really appreciated about Janet: First and foremost Janet was loving and kind. To us, yes, but always talking of her family as well. She was just into people, and seeing the best in everyone.

2nd, for me, she was such a great supporter and encouraged ever project I took on, coming to as many workshops as she could manage, but also expressing her satisfaction with various courses and how much she was learning. Thirdly, Janet was generous in every way possible. The thrusting of wine bottles into my hand was a regular occurence, and she was up for so many adventures. I visited her at her cottage, in Florida, when her and Glen lived there in the winters, and she came out for so many plein air days, and anything I tried to put on. Thank you Janet, for your support. It meant everything.

Janet was also into philosophy of every kind and loved debating art issues, but also politics, science and any subject. She was a person who could think for herself, and had many opinions on every topic under the sun. But an informed opinion, and intelligent opinion. She loved the interaction of human minds coming together in any kind of debate. I can't say I always agreed with her, but respected her right to voice her opinion. It made our freindship more genuine.

Mostly I just loved Janet for being such a great, caring, generous person. I will continue to admire her and appreciate her place in my life for many days to come.

Thankyou for your life, Janet!

Pics of our travels together:

Peru