This week I am excited to share a special artist, Jan Eker, because some of her artwork shows a piece of where I grew up—Omaha, NE. I have known Jan for many years, and I have always loved visiting her house to see her beautiful artwork on the walls. It brings me great joy to share Jan's work with everyone here in New York.

Artist Biography from her website:

Jan Eker attended Fort Hays State University and graduated with a BA degree in art in 1971. She later studied Graphic and Fine Art from the Rocky Mountain School of Art and Design in Denver, CO . Though the last twenty-some years of her life have been dominated by her family, Jan finally returned to her artwork in recent years. Jan works primarily in pencil, watercolor pencil and acrylic. She often does portraits, but she also enjoys landscapes, abstracts, still life...anything she sees that inspires her.

In February, 2003, Jan's house was destroyed by a fire and all belongings were lost, including thirty years of artwork. For this reason, many prints have been reproduced from digital or web photographs. Jan is slowly rebuilding her inventory, as well as expanding into new areas. Her Great Dreams are becoming a reality.

To view more of Jan's art please visit www.chaoticdreamer.com.

Recommended Reading:

• My Ántonia by Willa Cather
• One of Ours by Willa Cather
• O Pioneers! by Willa Cather
• The Fishermen: A Novel by Chigozie Obioma
• Delights and Shadows by Ted Kooser
• Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
• Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell
• Buffett: The Making of an American Capitalist by Roger Lowenstein
• Good Friday on the Rez: A Pine Ridge Odyssey by David Hugh Bunnell
• One Vast Winter Count: The Native American West before Lewis and Clark by Colin G. Calloway