Jane Gillis Segrest grew up in Hartford, Alabama. She attended the University of Montevallo and graduated with a degree in Home Economics. While at Montevallo, she took art courses.


After teaching for several years in Panama City, Florida, she became a stay at home mother to her two sons. When both of them were in school, she renewed her interest in art by taking classes and workshops. Originally learning to paint in oil but later using water media as her primary medium.

By following a consistent routine and expanding her knowledge and technique by attending couses taught by nationally known artists. She has had many opportunities to show her work both in juried competitions and galleries.

One of her most challenging opportunities she has had was a commission for 28 abstract paintings for Gulf Coast Medical Center in Panama City.

”As an artist,my work has moved through stages of realism combined with increasing emphasis on abstract elements. Through the use of arbitrary shapes, and conceptual subject matter, my recent work uses water media as a unifying medium to enhance the method and meaning of each piece.

Technically, I strive to develope relationships between shapes, colors and textures within the work so that the viewer begins to feel an emotional response to the total painting, not just one part. Each technique is specific yet the compositions depend upon the interrelated subtleties for the total effect.

To grow, to change, to gain a sense of confidence and a willingness to experience are all part of the image making process and are the main fascinators that contribute to my painting.”

2004 Energen Art Competition, Energen Corporation, Birmingham, Alabama

2004 16th Annual Art in Gadsden, Gadsden Art Center, Quincy, Florida
2003 ”Seeing the Abstract”, Marina Civic Center Gallery, Panama City, Florida
2003 Watercolor Society of Alabama, National Exhibition, Montgomery, Alabama
2002 National Acrylic Painters Association, International Exhibition, Segreto Contempory Art Gallery, Sante Fe, new Mexico
2002 Southern Watercolor Society 25th Annual Exhibition, Lousisana Arts and Science Center, Baton Rouge, La.
2002 ADSO 10th Annual Southeast regional Juried Fine Arts Exhibition, Art and Design Society of Fort Walton Beach, The Arts Center, Ikaloosa-Walton Community College, Niceville, FL
2002 14th Annual Tri-State Juried Exhibition, Tallahassee Watercolor Society, LeMoyne Art Foundation, Tallahassee, FL
2001 34th Montgomery Art Guild Museum Exhibition, Montgomery Museum of Art, Montgomery, Alabama
2000 Taos National Exhibition, Van-Vechten-Lineberry Taos Art Museum, Taos, NM
2000 Contemporary Women Artists State Show, Sarasota, FL
1999 National Acrylic Painters 4th Annual International Exhibition, Covengton, Louisiana
1998 LaGrange National Biennial, Chattahoochee Valley Art Museum, LaGrange, Georgia

Linnea McClellan, ”Artist hopes to evoke emotions,” Dothan Eagle, October 6, 2003


M. Jackson Brister, ”Dynamic colors electrify Segrests abstracts," Bay Arts and Entertainment, (Volume 1, page76)

Ronnie ann McKee, "Accomplished local artist: Jane Segrest,"Bay Arts and Entertainment, (Volume14, Number 4) Autumn 2002

"No Sunday Painter" Magnews Montgomery Art Guild, January 1997

Ken Holder, "Painting is an adventure unto itself for area artist," DO DOUTH Magazine, January 1996, Volume 1, Number 10

Cynthia Shakelford, "Segrests as artist who doesn't just hint at color,"Montevallo Today Magazine, Summer 1995

Anne Saunders. "Color is her trademark,"Bay Arts and Entertainment, Volume 1, Number 6, 1988

Donna Freckmann, "Figure this one out,"Pensacola News Journal,March 3, 1987