Janet Edwards

One of Redlands’ most beloved artists, Janet Edwards, passed away on April 13, 2024, at the age of 91. 

Janet saw beauty everywhere, and she took great pleasure in capturing that beauty in her art. During Janet’s long and prolific career here in Redlands she helped all of us appreciate the beauty that surrounds us: Redlands’ iconic buildings, its vanishing orange groves and palms, its flowers and trees, the University and the mountains that form a backdrop to our beautiful valley. Janet’s works hang in homes, civic buildings and offices throughout the United States and in at least 40 other countries. Janet took pride in the many ribbons, honors and awards she received, but she took an even greater pride that her work was chosen by educational, cultural and civic organizations to honor dignitaries, professors, musicians, ambassadors, public servants and many other special people. She donated her works to support local charitable organizations: the University, the Symphony, the Redlands Conservancy, Friends of Kimberly Crest, and the Redlands Bowl. In 2007, Janet received a Centennial Award from the University of Redlands for lifetime of achievement. In 2012, Janet was honored to have Esri Press publish a book of her work, Palms to Peaks, featuring many of her iconic works.

Janet was born in Clovis, California, on January 11, 1933, to Marion Jackson (a school teacher) and Baron McLean (a Baptist minister), who had met while attending the University of Redlands in the 1920s. Janet followed in their footsteps and attended the University, where she earned a B.A. in Art Education, and where she met her husband and soul-mate of 67 years, Fred Edwards. After a brief stint in Boston where Fred attended graduate school, Janet taught high school art classes, and Fred began his career as a Methodist minister, with postings around southern California. After the birth of her son (John Edwards) and daughter (Serene daRae), Janet shifted her focus to raising her family, but she always made time for her art, sketching, painting watercolors, producing serigraphs and creating etchings, which became the medium for which she is best known.

After Fred’s last posting was at University Methodist Church in Redlands, Janet and Fred made Redlands their permanent home and threw themselves into community activities for more than three decades. You seldom saw one without the other. They became members of Trinity Episcopal Church, where they sang in the choir, they joined the Redlands Community Chorus, became regulars at the symphony and took on leadership roles at the Redlands Art Association. As they traveled the world together, Janet always caried her sketch pad and camera, finding inspiration for her work everywhere, from the central coast of California, to the English countryside, to the highlands of Scottland. They hosted art groups, church groups and gatherings of friends and family in their home and at their mountain cabin.

Shortly after Fred’s death in 2022, Janet closed her studio and moved to an assisted living community. In June of 2023, at the age of 90, Janet rallied for one last show of her work at the Redlands Art Association, taking great pleasure in talking with everyone that came to admire her work.

Janet leaves behind two children, five grandchildren and so much beauty that she brought into this world. Janet will be missed, but her legacy will live on. A celebration of life for Janet will be held at 1:30 p.m., on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 419 S 4th St, Redlands, California. In lieu of flowers, Janet’s family asks that you make a donation in Janet’s memory to a Redlands community organization of your choosing.