Janet and Jay O’Rourke Designs
Welcome to the world of Janet and Jay O’Rourke. We have been collaborating for over 45 years. Whimsical fairies, Flower Birds, Mythical Mermaids, and other fanciful imagery, drawn in elaborate patterns and textures is the hallmark of Janet O’Rourke Designs. This vibrant artistry creates beautiful artwork with great customer appeal. Janet O’Rourke Designs artwork is the essence of Victorian revival, mixed with modern themes and styles.
Janet’s pencils, paint brushes and carving tools are her magic wands. Jay’s lathe and carving tools are his magic. Together they create unique, one of a kind work. Janet and Jay have been involved for over 45 years in the woodworking media and are nationally known for their turnings, carvings, wall pieces and sculptures.
Our work is green. We salvage logs from fallen trees after storms and tree trimmers. We let the wood cure for about a year, then turn, and sculpt the hollow form lidded wood vessels. We also do large wall pieces all carved with the same technique as the wood vessels. Much time is spent doing amazingly detailed illustrations with colored pencils and carving each piece by hand. We use pigment, pyrography, colored pencils, and Swarovski Crystal Rhinestones. All our work is finished with 10 to 20 layers of lacquer.
Janet and Jay O’Rourke have exhibited in many art fairs including American Craft Council Shows and the Smithsonian Craft Show. Janet and Jay’s work can be seen in Gallery’s across the world. They are in many private and corporate collections as well as museum collections. They are featured in over 14 books.
“We love sharing our vision with each other and the world. Our inspiration is from nature, birds, insects, gardens and magic. Hopefully our work will make you smile then our job is done. Janet O’Rourke Designs signature style of ethereal beauty is available as original drawings, amazing sculptures, turnings, and carvings “
Thank you so much for visiting our world,
With love,
Janet and Jay O’Rourke
| Jay O”Rourke Born Santa Barbara, CA Santa Barbara City College Self-Taught Woodworker | Janet O’Rourke Born Los Angeles, CA B.F.A. Illustration, Academy of Art College, S.F., CA Graduate Work, Otis Parsons, LA, CA |
Shows we have Juried
Jury for Coconut Grove, Miami, FL 2018
Jury for Art in the Pearl, Portland, OR 2003
Jury for Wood, All Shows, ACC, 1996, 1998
Jury for the Sausalito Arts Festival, Sausalito, CA 1993
Jury for ACC San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 1991
Jury for the Yes Store Crafts Co-op, Santa Barbara, CA 1985-1990
Jury for the Renaissance Faire, Agoura, CA 1986-1987
Awards
Coconut Grove Art Festival – 1st Place Wood – Coconut Grove, FL 2018
Florida Mosaic, A Festival of the Arts – Award of Excellence – Kissimee, FL 2017
Images, A Festival of the Arts -George & Jean Musson Award – New Smyrna Beach, FL 2017
MainSail – Award of Distinction – Saint Petersburg, FL 2016
Under the Oaks – Award of Merit – Vero Beach, FL 2016
Mount Dora Arts Festival – Award of Excellence – Mount Dora, FL 2015
Images, A Festival of the Arts – Award of Merit – New Smyrna Beach, FL 2015
Niche Award – Finalist – Niche Magazine, FL 2014
MainSail – Award of Merit – Saint Petersburg, FL 2014
Winter Park Autumn Art Fest – Judges Selection-Winter Park, FL 2014
Under the Oaks – 2nd Place Creative Crafts – Vero Beach, FL 2013
Melbourne Art Festival – 2nd Place, Other Media – Melbourne, FL 2013
DeLand Fall Festival of the Arts – Honorable Mention – Deland, FL 2012
Three Rivers Art Fest – Award of Distinction – Covington, LA 2012
Winter Springs Festival of the Arts – Award of Merit – Winter Springs, FL 2012
Winter Park Autumn Art Fest – Award of Merit – Winter Park, FL 2012
Atlanta Arts Festival – 1st Place Mixed Media – Atlanta, GA
Barefoot in the Park – 3D Award of Creativity – Duluth, GA 2012
Under the Oaks – 3rd Place Sculpture – Vero Beach, FL 2012
WinterPark Autumn Art Fest – Award of Merit- Winter Park, FL 2011
Beaux Arts – 1st Place Wood – Coral Gables, FL 2011
Art Fest Fort Myers – Award of Merit – Ft. Myers, FL 2011
Kentuck – Award of Merit – Tuscaloosa, AL 2009
57th Street Art Fair – New Comer Award – Chicago, IL 2009
Three Rivers Art Fest – Award of Distinction – Covington, LA 2008
River Walk Fine Arts Festival – First Place Wood – Naperville, IL 2008
Midwest Salute to the Arts – Award of Excellence – Fairview Heights, IL 2008
Niche Award – Finalist – Niche Magazine
Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival – 1st Place Wood, Fiber, Leather – Winter Park, FL 2003
Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival – 2nd Place Woodworking – Winter Park, FL 2002
Art in the Pearl – Best of Show – Portland, OR 2000
Sausalito Arts Festival – 1st Place Woodworking – Sausalito, CA 1994
Northwest Gallery of Fine Woodworking – Box Competition; 3rd Place – Seattle, WA 1994
Bellevue Museum Arts Festival – Quality and Presentation – Bellevue, WA 1992
Sausalito Arts Festival – Honorable Mention – Sausalito, CA 1992
Renaissance Pleasure Faire, CA – Masterpiece Award – 1971, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1978
Collections
Kahn Teapot Foundation 2014
Fleur Bressler Collection, Flower Tea 2013
Dodie Baumgarten Collection, Figgie Art Museum, 2009
Dr. Randy Price and MRs. Price, 2007
Mrs. Nina Hotvdt, 2004
Mr. and Mrs. Clint Eastwood, 2004
Dr. Dale R. Nish, 2003
Los Angeles County Museum of Art, donated from the Irving Lipton Collection, 2001
Dr. Irving Lipton, Permanent Collection, 1999
Mrs Leonard D. DuBuff, 1999
Mr. and Mrs. Charles and Fleur Bressler, 1992
Mr. Mrs. Charles and Tami Kegley, 1990, 1995
Mr. and Mrs. Norman Kohn, 1995
Mrs. Sylvia Rosenburg, 1997
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Sonnabend, 1997
Current Licenses
Mega Brand Puzzles
Amia
Heaven and Earth
Pluse Micro
Amazing Designs
American Craft Council – A.C.R.E. – Buyers Market of American Crafts, Shows
American Craft Retailers Expo, Orlando, FL 2014
A.C.C. Baltimore Crafts Fair, Baltimore, MD – 1987-2002, 2006-2009, 2014
A.C.C. Atlanta Crafts Fair, Atlanta, GA – 1996, 1997, 1999, 2008, 2009, 2014
A.C.C. Sarasota, FL – 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
A.C.C. Charlotte, NC – 2007, 2008, 2009
A.C.C. San Francisco Craft Fair, S.F., CA 1980-2002, 2006, 2019, 2020
Buyers Market of American Crafts, Philadelphia, PA Winter, Summer – 2003-2005
A.C.C. Columbus Wholesale Market, Columbus, OH 1994-1997
A.C.C. Bellevue Craft Fair, Bellevue, WA – 1997, 1998
A.C.C. Springfield Crafts Fair, West Springfield, MA – 1990-1993
Invitational Shows and Exhibits
Turned and Sculpted wood Wood symphony Gallery 2020
From Woman – Mary Urbas Curator – Cincinnati, OH 2020
Let’s Play Kings and Queens – Inverarity Gallery, Aberdeen Scotland, 2019
The Cup and the Mug – Main Street Gallery 2018
Coconut Grove Gallery Solo Show – Fragments of Fairytales – Coconut Grove 2017
National Tea Pot Show – Cedar Creek Gallery – 2014,2017, 2019, 2020
Hot Tea – Del Mano Gallery – 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018
Teapots 7th Invitational – Morgan Contemporary Glass Gallery 2014, 2019
Solo Show – Craftsman House Gallery – June 2014
Boxes and Their Makers – Traveling Exhibition
Mobile Museum of Art 2012
Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum 2012
Ohio Craft Museum – 2011
Fuller Craft Museum 2010
Messler Gallery 2009
Tea Pot Show – Morgan Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA – 2011
Hot Tea 2 – Del Mano Gallery, CA 2011
Solo Show – Aphrodite Gallery, Paducah, KY – 2010
Feature Artists – Aspire Arts Gallery, Paducah, KY – 2007-2009
American Artisan Festival – Nashville, TN – June 1999, 2008, 2009
Sofa – Chicago – Katie Gingrass Gallery, Milwaukee, WI – 2007, 2008
Holidaze – Kentucky Museum of Art, Louisville, KY – November 2006, 2007
Norman Kohn Collection – Bellevue Museum, Bellevue, WA – 2006
Turning Show – Aphrodite Gallery, Paducah, KY – November 2005
Box Show – Zazen Gallery, Bellevue, WI – 2005
Small Treasures Show – Del Mano Gallery, Brentwood, CA – March 2000-2004
Celebrating Boxes – Tullie House Museum, England – Sept 2001-2003
Put a Lid on It – Carlyn Gallery, Dallas, TX, April 2002
Turning Show – The Real Mother Goose, Portland, OR – March 2002
Licensing International Show – New York, NY – June 2001, 2002
Featured Artist – Sliverado, Hood River, OR – December 2001
Sofa, New York – Sandra Collins Gallery, Birmingham, MI – May 1999
Visiting Artist Series – Bolder Arts & Crafts Coop, Boulder, CO – 1999
Featured Artist – Artful Hand Gallery, Boston, MA – 1998
Wood Show – White Bird Gallery, Cannon Beach, OR – 1998
Holiday Collectibles – Sylvia Ullman, American Crafts Gallery, Cleveland, OH – 1997
Functional Elegance – Gallery of Function Art, Pontiac, MI – November 1996
Space Contained – Apropos Gallery, St. Louis, MO – April 1996
Featured Artist – The Real Mother Goose, Portland, OR – May 1995
Box Show – Northwest Fine Woodworking, Seattle WA – 1990-1995
The Art of the Wood Box – Grovewood Gallery, Asheville, NC – 1994
The Artful Hand, Boston, MA
Fanny Garver Gallery, Madison, WI
City Woods, Highland Park, IL
Artique, Lexington, KY
Clarksville Pottery, Austin, TX
Selo Shevel Gallery, Ann Arbor, MI
Hanson Gallery, Houston, TX
The Gift Box – Edith Lambert Gallery, Santa Fe, NM -1994
The Tree Transformed – Eureka Crafts, Syracuse, NY – 1994
Boxes and More Boxes – Kohler Artspace, Kohler, WI -1994
The White House Christmas Tree – A Celebration of the Creative Works of the Hand – 1994
The Art of the Wood Box – American Artisan, Nashville, TN – 1993
American Details, Coconut Grove, FL
Apropos Gallery, St. Louis, MO
The Clay Pot, Brooklyn, NY
Craft Co. #6, Rochester NY
Hanson Galleries, Houston, TX
Beads and Boxes Show – Gallery Eight, La Jolla, CA – 1993
Jewelry Box Show – Del Mano Gallery, Pasadena, CA – 1990-1993
Christmas Show – The Frame Gallery, Hood River, OR – 1990-1993
Valentine Box Show – Gallery IO, New Orleans, LA -1992
Contemporary Wood Show – Banaker Gallery, Walnut Creek, CA 1989-1991
Couples Show – Gallery Eight, La Jolla, CA 1991
Imperial Woodworks – Works Gallery, New York, NY -1989
Featured Artist – Del Mano Gallery, Brentwood, CA – 1987
Juried Shows
American Craft Expo Glencoe, IL 2018
Smithsonian Craft Show Washington DC 2018
Fort Myers Art Festival, Fort Myers, FL 2018
Florida Mosaic, A Festival of the Arts, Kissimee, FL 2017
Fine Art at the Magnolia, Lakeland, FL 2017
Mainsail Art Festival St. Petersburg, FL 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Under the Oaks, Vero Beach, FL 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Coconut Grove Art Festival, Miami FL, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2017, 2018
Mount Dora Art Festival, Mount Dora, FL, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016,. 2017
Sebastian Art Festival 2017
Images Art Festival, New Smyrna Beach, FL 2016, 2017
Paragon Arts, FL 2016
West Palm Beach Art Festival, West Palm Beach, FL 2016
Dunedin Art Festival Dunedin, FL, 2016
Decatur Art Festival, Decatur, GA 2016
Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival, Winter Park, FL 2002, 2003, 2010, 2015, 2016
Mid-Florida May Fair by the Lake, Lakeland, FL 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Melbourne Art Festival, Melbourne, FL 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016
Winter Park Autumn Arts Festival, Winter Park, FL 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016
Arti Gras, Jupiter, FL 2011, 2015, 2016
Naples National Art Festival, Cocoa Beach, FL 2014, 2015
Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival, Pensacola, FL 2011, 2012, 2014
DeLand Fall Festival of the Arts, Deland, FL 2012, 2014
Old Town Art Show, Saint Augustine, FL 2014
Estero Fine Art Show, Estero, FL 2014
Cool Art Show, St. Petersburg, FL 2013, 2014
Tarpon Springs Fine Art Festival, Tarpon Springs, FL 2012, 2013
Sanibel Island Arts & Crafts Fair, Sanibel Island, FL 2013
Art Fest Ft. Myers, FL 2009.2010. 2013
Naples New Years Downtown Arts Festival, Naples, FL 2013
Beau Atas, Coral Gables, FL, 2011, 2013
Three Rivers Art Fest, Covington, LA, 2008, 2009, 2012
Ocala Arts Festival , Ocala, FL 2011, 2012
Winter Springs Festival of the Arts, Winter Springs, FL 2012
Maitlin Art Fest, Maitlin, FL 2012
Atlanta Its Festival, Atlanta, GA 2011, 2012
Piccolo Spoleto Festival, Charleston, SC 2012
Barefoot in the Park, Duluth, GA 2012
Fine Art on the River, Savannah, GA 2012
Bonita Springs National Art Festival, Bonita Springs, FL 2012, 2011, 2012
Palm Beach Fine Crafts Show, West Palm Beach, FL 2011
Surtex, New York, NY, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011
Festival of the Masters, Downtown Disney, FL 2011
Craft Art, St. Petersburg, FL, 2010, 2011
57th Street Art Fair, Chicago, IL 2009, 2010 , 2011
Kentuck, Tuscaloosa, AL 2009, 2010, 2011
Art Fest Stuart, Stuart, FL 2009, 2011
Dogwood Festival, Atlanta, GA 2010, 2011
DeLand Outdoor Art Festival, DeLand, FL 2011
Jackson Art Fest, Jackson, GA 2011
Art of Ponce Festival, Atlanta, GA 2011
Sarasota Craft, Sarasota, FL 2009, 2010
Brookside Art Fair, Kansas City, MO 2010
Bayou City, Houston, TX 2010
Art Festival Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK 2010
Magic City Art Connection, Birmingham, AL 2008, 2009, 2010
St. James Court Art Show, Louisville, KY 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Old Town Art Fair, Chicago, IL 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Art on the Square, Bellville, IL 2009, 2010
Art Spectacular at the Carillon, Springfield, IL 2009, 2010
River Arts Festival, Memphis, TN 2009, 2010
Downtown Arts Festival, Gainesville, FL 2010
South University Art Fair, Ann Arbor, MI 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007. 2008. 2009, 2010
Village Arts and Crafts Fair, Nashville, NC 2009
Sarasota Masters Art Festival, FL 2009
Fest for All, Baton Rouge, LA 2009
River Walk Fine Art Fair Naperville, IL 2008, 2009
Art Fair on the Square, Lake Forest, IL 2008, 2009
Midwest Salute to the Arts, Fairview Heghts, IL 2008, 2009
St. Louis Art Fiar, St. Loutis, MO 2007
Art Fair Laumeir, St. Louis, MO 2009
Four Bridges, Chattanooga, TN 2007, 2009
Fire Fly Art Festival, Dickson, TN 2009
Woodland Art Fair, Lexington, KY 2008, 2009
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, New Orleans, LA 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002. 2008
Art in the Pearl, Portland, OR 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
Bellevue Museum Art Festival, Bellevue, WA 1991-1992, 2006
Napels Invitational, Naples, FL 2006
Lakefront Art Festival, Milwaukee Art Museum, WI, 2005, 2006
Fiesta Arts Fair, San Antonio, TX 2005, 2006
Crafts at the Castle; Boston, MA 1996, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2006
Boca Raton Museum Show, Boca Raton, FL 2005
Art Rider, Crafts Park Avenue, New York, NY 2003, 2004, 2005 Spring & Fall Shows
Bellevue Festival of the Arts, BelleVue, WA 2004, 2005
Contemporary Crafts Market: Santa Monica, San Francisco, CA 198802990, 2002-2005
T-shirt Design for Contemporary Crafts Market, 1990
Park City Arts Festival, Park City, UT 2003, 2005
Best of the Northwest, Seattle, WA 2003, 2004, 2005
American Craft Exposition, Evanston, IL 1998, 2002, 2005
Sun Valley Festival of the Arts, Sun Valley, ID 2004
Cherry Creek Arts Festival, Denver, CO, 2004
Paradise City, North Hampton, MA 2004
Best of the Northwest, Seattle, 2003, 2004
Smithsonian Craft Show, Washington, DC, 1992, 2003, 2004, 018
Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, Ann Arbor, MI 2002
Sausalito Art Festival, Sausalito, CA 198801997, 2002
Philadelphia Furniture Show, Philadelphia, PA 1995, 1996
Washington Craft Expo, Washington, DC, 1993
The Yes Store; Santa Barbara, CA 1971-1990
Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival; Mill Valley, CA, 1987-1988
Renaissance Pleasure Faire, CA 1970-1987
Publications & Books
Masters of Contemporary Wood Volume 1, 2, 3 Wood Symphony Gallery 2018, 2020, 2021
Florida Mosaic, Poster Artist 2017
“A Fairies ABC, A Dream Com True” Janet O’Rourke 2013, Rabbit Rose Press
Niche Magazine, Our Magic Vessel featured to advertise the 2015 Niche Awards in poster and print/online ads, 2014
Niche Magazine, Spouting Off Tea pot Article Summer 2014
“Bee Bop Robot” Coloring Book, Janet O’Rourke 2009
“Fairy Dream” Coloring Book, Janet O’Rourke 2008
New Masters of the Wooden Box For Chapelle 2009
Boxes and Their Makers, Fox Chapel Publishing with and intro by Oscar Fitzgerald 2009
400 boxes, Veronica Alice Gunter, Toney Lydgate, Lark Books, 2004
Celebrating Boxes, Andrew Crawford, Peter Lloyd 2002
Best Wooden Boxes; Popular Woodworking Books, Bruce Stoker, 1998
The Art of Making Elegant Wooden Kitchen Utensils, Tony Lydgate, 1996
Award Winning Boxes, Tony Lydgate, 1995
The Art of Making Elegant Wood Boxes; Tony Lydgate, 1993
Creating Small Wooden Objects as Functional Sculpture, Dona Z. Meilach, 1976
Magazines
Paducah Life, Fairy Dreams 2009
Lo Down, Pudcah Sun 2008
“Do you believe in Fairy’s?” Posh Magazine 2008
American Style, Woodturning Center, 2007
Boca Raton Museum Poster 2006
Niche Magazine, Retail Details, and Fathers Day Ideas 2006
American Style, Stellear Performers, June 2005
Wood Turning Magazine, Vessels Article 2005
Niche Magazine, Spring, 1995, 2003
American Style; Treasure Boxes, article Dec/Jan 1999
Furniture & Cabinetmaking; British Publication/Peter Lloyd 1999
American Craft Magazine Del Mano Box Show Oct/Nov 1998
American Craft Magazine, Advertisement for ACC Craft Shows; Dec 1997 all issues 1998
Vogue Magazine; Germany, Nov 1997
Crafts Report; Nov 1996
American Style; Nov 1996
Woodshop News; Melanie Winters, October, 1996
Home Magazine; Terry Capuana, June 1995
American Woodworker; Band Sawn Box, Jay O’Rourke, December 1995
American Craft Magazine; Studio Article, Kate Bonansinga, Aug/Sept, 1994
The Woodshop News; Liza Petursh; Dec 1994
The Crafts Report; Jan 1994
Southern California Home and Garden; August 1989
Newspapers, Posters & Calendars
Fiesta Art Fair Poster 2006
Crafts at the Castle Catalogue 2005
Del Mano Gallery, Small Treasures, Catalogue 2003
American Craft Flyer for Baltimore Buyers, 2000
Sandra Ainsley Gallery, Corporate Catalogue; Featured Artists 1998
America on Line; Crafts at the Castle 1996
PACT; A Week at a Glance, Calendar, 1996
Interview with Polly Timberman, Kaleidoscope, Hood River News, Nov. 2, 1994
Open Studio Tour, hood River News, 1998
Corporate Purchases
Hewlitt Packard, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2011
Intel, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009,
Vail 2000
Mayor Willie Brown, San Francisco, 1997
Evergreen, Corporate purchase/Canada 1997
Rockwell, 1996
Scotia McLeod Canada, 1998
O & Y Enterprises Philip Reichmann Cananda, 1998
Arthur Anderson Canda, 1998
Kazan, McClain, Edisas & Simon, 1999
Benefit Auctions
American Crafts Exposition, Breast Cancer and Ovarian Cancer Auction Craft for a Cure 2005
Nutcracker Ballet: Costume Design/Sets, Benefit for Hospice/Fish, “Columbia Gorge Dance Academy” 1998-2005
Art Director and Head of Costume for “Columbia Gorge Dance Company”
Cherry Creek auction for children’s benefit; 2004
Hudson Valley Aids Auction; 1997
CERF; Auction, ACC San Francisco, 1996
Greater Family Services of Boston Auction and Benefit; 1996, 2004
Directors of Celebration of the Arts; Parkdale Elementary School, Parkdale, OR 1994-1995
Treasure Boxes; Homeless Children’s Auction; Baltimore, MD 1994, 1995
P.A.C.T. Aids Auction; Tucson, AZ, 1994, 1995
Montessori School Auction; Santa Barbara, CA 1987-1989