about.

BIO

SHOW & TELL
Wave III Artist Resident

c/o The Alexa Rose Foundation at The Common Well

Janell is originally from a small town in Ohio​ where both sides of her family have lived for the last five generations. She went to The Ohio State University, graduating in 2008 with a BFA specializing in Photography. After taking a long break from art and working 10 years in marketing, she received her MFA in Studio Arts from Purdue University in 2024. Her work focuses on grief, memory, and time. She currently lives with her 8-pound-pup in Boise, Idaho.

ARTIST STATEMENT

My work began as a personal narrative about mourning the loss of my dad while he was still alive and progressed into an exploration of grief, memory, and time. 

It all started with a piece of carpet. Burnt into the green pile were traces of hot cigarette ash that fell to the ground as my dad fell asleep after long days working in the factory. In 2021, I found the discarded remnant rolled up in his garage. I don’t know why the only portion of the carpet my parents saved from their bedroom was the most damaged piece, but I believe I was meant to find it. 

Since then, my work has morphed into a conversation. Sometimes one-sided as Dad’s illness progressed and the ability to articulate his thoughts became more and more difficult. It is a reconciliation between father and daughter and a rewriting of history through documentary photography. In this work, I attempt to be as truthful as possible, knowing my truth will be as subjective as a photograph. I constantly play jump rope with the ideas of authority and exploitation because this is my story, but I also know there are things he would not want to be shown in a public setting.

Alcohol and cigarettes were my dad’s mechanisms for passing the time. The byproducts of these addictions are now an integral part of my practice—each 24 oz. Black Cherry White Claw can was collected, transported, washed, dried, taped, and painted. The multiple Marlboro Special Select cigarette boxes he discarded daily were meticulously disassembled into their assorted materials to be transformed into sculptures. By spending time with these materials, I can spend time with him, even if he is not around. 

Loss is universal, and grief is inevitable. No matter how prepared you think you are, there will never be enough time.

 CV

  • 2024
    Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
    MFA Studio Arts

    2008
    The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
    BFA Photography

  • 2024-25
    Visiting Clinical Assistant Professor of Photography, Boise State University, Boise, ID
    • Intro to Photo: Darkroom [instructor of record], Spring ‘25
    • Intro to Digital Photography [instructor of record], Fall ‘24, Spring ‘25
    • Intermediate Digital Photo [instructor of record], Fall ‘24
    • Intermediate Darkroom Photo [instructor of record], Fall ‘24

    2021-24
    Graduate Teaching Assistant, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
    • Color Photography [instructor of record], Spring ‘23, Fall ‘23, Spring ‘24
    • Lighting Fundamentals for Photography [instructor of record], Spring ‘23, Spring ‘24
    • Black and White Photography [instructor of record], Fall ‘21, Spring ‘22, Fall ‘22

    2018-21
    CRM Manager / Campaign Manager, Office of Strategic Enrollment, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH

    2017-18
    Freelance Photographer, ASCENT Alumni Magazine, News from the College of Arts and Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH

    2015-16
    Sr. Marketing & Communication Strategist, Office of Distance Education and eLearning, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH

    2012-15
    Staff Photographer & Communication Specialist, College of Arts and Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH

  • 2025
    • ArtPrize ‘25 — Devos Place Convention Center, Grand Rapids, MI
    • House on Fire Exhibition + Day of Action — The Common Well, Boise, ID
    • House on Fire Pop-up Show — The Capri, Marfa, TX
    • 2025 Biennial Faculty Exhibition — Blue Galleries, Boise State University, Boise, ID

    2024
    • Closing the Distance, Group show curated by Sierra Greenslade and Joshua Mokry — SRO Photo Gallery, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
    • Smoke & Filters, MFA Exhibition — Patti and Rusty Rueff Galleries (East), Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
    • Pop Up Art Show — Nine One Seven Social Arts Space, Lafayette, IN
    • The Marks We Leave Behind (solo exhibition) — The Arts Federation, Lafayette, IN

    2023
    • Disconnected, Purdue Graduate Installation Exhibition — Lafayette Telephone Answering Service, Lafayette, IN
    • ArtPrize ‘23 — The B.O.B., Grand Rapids, MI
    • Small Works 2023 — ArtWise Gallery, Grand Forks, ND
    • Pop Up Art Show — Nine One Seven Social Arts Space, Lafayette, IN 

    2022
    • Bedlem Temporary Exhibition — West Lafayette, IN
    • Pop Up Art Show — Nine One Seven Social Arts Space, Lafayette, IN
    • AU22 Kickoff, MFA Studio Arts Exhibition — Purdue University, Forest Products Building, West Lafayette, IN
    • Post Process, Purdue Photography Faculty Show — Tippecanoe Arts Federation, Lafayette, IN

    2021
    • Fireproof, Purdue Graduate Installation Exhibition — Purdue University, Forest Products Building / Yue-Kong PAO Hall, West Lafayette, IN
    • Capturing the Light — Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum, Coshocton, OH

    2009
    • International Photobooth Convention — Center Portion, Chicago, IL

    2008
    • Group BFA Show — The Ohio State University, Hopkins Hall Gallery, Columbus, OH
    • Second Sight, Senior Thesis Solo Show — The Ohio State University, Silver Image Gallery, Columbus, OH 

    2007
    • Undergraduate Juried Exhibition — The Ohio State University, Hopkins Hall Gallery, Columbus, OH
    • Photo Club Exhibition — The Ohio State University, Ohio Union, Columbus, OH

    2005
    • Art Scholars Exhibition — ROY G BIV Gallery, Columbus, OH

  • 2025
    • Show & Tell, Wave III Artist Residency, The Alexa Rose Foundation + The Common Well, Boise, ID
    • House on Fire, Summer ‘25 Artist Residency, The Alexa Rose Foundation + The Common Well, Boise, ID

    2024
    • Art and Design Graduate Teaching Award, Purdue University
    • Excellence in Teaching Award, master’s-level student nominee, Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS), Purdue University

    2011
    • Guest Lecturer, Kokmin University, Seoul, South Korea, March 31-April 1

    2007
    • Ohio Staters Collection Purchase Award, The Ohio State University
    • Photo Club Exhibition Faculty Choice Award, The Ohio State University

  • 2007
    • “Birth order,” Ohio Staters Collection, Ohio Union, The Ohio State University

  • 2021
    • Radcliffe Magazine, Harvard University — photo of Paul Martini 

    2015
    • Washington Post — photo of Ellen Mosley-Thompson and Lonnie Thompson