In 1984 Janis recieved a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting from Carnegie Mellon University. She studied under ceramic artist Edward Eberle, who encouraged her to incorporate her passion for painting and drawing into ceramics. Throughout her studies Janis traveled and painted in Europe and America. With a backpack loaded with white gessoed panels Janis set off for Trinidad and returned with vivid egg tempera paintings expressing the biodiversity of the tropical rainforest surrealistically mingling with the multicultural diversity of the island. At the International School of Art in Umbria,Italy she studied under abstract painter Nicholas Carone and soaked up the beauty of the Italian Rennaisance.

In pursuit of a classical approach to 'the figure' in art, Janis attended New York Academy of Art and studied under realist painter Jack Beal. She completed a Master of Fine Art in painting in 1992. While attending the Academy Janis embarked on a painting excursion through Scotland. Aspiring to paint its staggering sea cliffs, Janis made a bee line for a tiny wind blown island called Foula (meaning isle of birds) in the Shetland Islands. With its atmospheric skies, rugged coastal terrain and abundant wildlife, she derived much inspiration for her art and settled there upon completion of her masters. Her paintings were being collected and her watercolor "Gaada Stack" was purchased by the Shetland Islands Council, who gifted the painting to the Faroe Islands Government. She had several solo exhibitions at the Shetland Museum, married and started a family. After 5 years, she returned to America to continue raising her family.

She is working as a ceramic artist who fuses her background in fine art with the creation of the ceramic vessel. Janis is fortunate to have Peter's Valley Craft Center in close proximity. She has been involved with numerous firings in the Noboragama Wood fire Kiln (pictured right) )led by department head Bruce Denhert. All of the wood fired pieces have been fired at Peter's Valley. The firing process lends itself to reveal the subtle nuance of light created by her hand carved curvilinear delineation of form.

Janis won the Charles Tice Award for a sculpted ceramic vessel at the Skylands Juried Show in 2009.