Community and Art with Jeanette Davis
For Jeanette Davis, art has always been a calling - even before she knew exactly where it would lead. "As a young person, I had a passion for creativity but wasn’t sure how to manifest it," she recalls. When friends in college chose to major in art, she followed their lead and discovered her path as an elementary art teacher. "I realized this was my calling! I’ve been painting ever since."
Jeanette describes painting as both an intellectual and meditative experience. "To paraphrase Georgia O’Keeffe, you can say things with art that there are no words for," she told us. This deep connection to expression is what brought her to the First Coast Plein Air Painters (FCPAP), a group she encountered during a walk at the Arboretum about 10 years ago. After chatting with a fellow artist on the trail, Jeanette attended her first meeting and never looked back. Today, she’s not only an active member but also serves on the Planning Board, helping shape events like A Brush With Nature.
Now an annual tradition, A Brush With Nature brings artists and nature lovers together for a truly immersive creative experience. "It’s amazing the number of visitors who love watching the artists paint," Jeanette says. "I really enjoy talking with them and discussing what they love about art." The welcoming atmosphere often inspires guests to try their hand at painting, and some have even joined the group after visiting the event.
Jeanette’s favorite place to paint at the Arboretum? The lake. "I’m mesmerized by the water reflecting the trees, plants, and sky. It never stops challenging me as a painter," she says. But she’s quick to add that the boardwalks and winding trails offer countless beautiful vignettes for artists of all skill levels. "I have visited the Arboretum for years to enjoy its beauty, peacefulness, and to bring our dogs to walk. It’s their favorite place, too."
One of her favorite parts of the event is meeting people who say, "I can’t even draw a straight line!" Her response? "That doesn’t matter!" If you have the desire to create, that’s the spark. The FCPAP includes beginners and professionals who paint side by side in a friendly, supportive way. She encourages everyone to pick up a brush and give it a try, because with a little practice and a lot of heart, the artist within can emerge.