Many of us have hobbies. We like to play cards, read novels and partake in sporting events.

Few of us can count being a successful artist as one of our hobbies. Janet Ritter Davies is one of those few.

Davies, a local artist living in Walbridge, will have her work on display from May 5 to 15 at Beeker’s General Store in Pemberville as part of the “Birds of a Feather” celebration which will take place here in Northwest Ohio in observance of the peak of spring migration of birds returning north for the summer.

Todd Sheets, the owner of the general store, which is over 140 years old, is hoping for a sizeable turnout amongst the birding enthusiasts that will be visiting the area.

Janet Ritter Davies ' (top) "Garden of Art" collection will be on display at Beeker's General Store in Pemberville May 5-15.

Needless to say, he is excited to have Davies’ paintings on display. “We think she’s a fabulous artist,” said Sheets. Many of her bird prints are (amazing).”

On her website, Davies’ says that art is, in her mind “an unlimited flow of energy and inspiration.” When viewing her artwork, it is easy to see how that belief has shown through.

Davies first developed a liking for artwork when she began drawing as a young girl. As a student at Fassett Junior High in Oregon, she was encouraged by her art teacher, Mrs. Anness, to work on her painting. She continued to take art classes in high school, requesting extra projects as her artistic creativity and curiosity grew.

After graduating from Clay High School, she attended Bowling Green State University and majored in fine art. And, then, things changed.

Davies got married, had two sons, and, for the better part of the next 30 years, worked full-time while raising a family. For 13 years, she worked as the Children’s Program Director at St. Timothy’s Episcopalian Church in Perrysburg, and, until a few years ago, was an employee of Wholesale Lakewood Greenhouse in Northwood, where she was in charge of sales and marketing and oversaw two garden departments.

It wasn’t until 2007 that she finally resumed working as an artist. Since then, she has been churning out ideas and working on a bevy of projects.

“It was like opening the floodgates,” said Davies of her return to her calling. “As soon as I started painting again, I had plenty of ideas.”

Her collection of work, known as the Davies Garden of Art, focuses on paintings of the natural world, which she has deemed “garden art.” The collection includes depictions birds, ducks and flowers, among other things. She also has some other interesting pieces in her collection, including paintings of The Three Stooges and the memorable characters from “The Wizard of Oz,” as well as portraits of classic cars, ships and lighthouses. Davies also does specific work for people upon request.

Her work has been on display at dozens of sites, including Owens Community College, the Oregon Arts Festival and the Levis Commons Fine Art Festival in Perrysburg, among others.

She is a member of several artistic organizations, including the Toledo Commission for the Arts, the Toledo Artist’s Club and The Ohio Arts and Crafts Guild, and has also received some formal training from the Toledo Art Museum.

Davies’ passion for painting that inspires and motivates her to continue with her work. “When you find what you really love to do,” said Davies, “you can feel it in your gut.”

When asked if she had any advice for young, aspiring artists, she stressed the importance of being persistent and not giving up.

“You’ve got to be determined and you (must) move forward –you can’t become stagnant. I know a lot of people who are artistic, but they don’t move forward,” she said. “You have to be driven.”

Those interested may learn more and see samples of Davies work at her personal website, www.DaviesGardenofArt.com, as well as two Facebook pages.

Piece of local artist Janet Ritter Davies’ “Garden of Art” collection will be on display at Beeker’s General Store in Pemberville May 5 to 15.

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