NOTE: All artwork on this website is copyrighted by the artist, Jane McCauley, and may not be reproduced in any way without written permission of the artist.

One of the gifts God did bless me with is the ability to, "see" pictures in my head. I thought all my life that other people "saw" the same thing. My husband, Sonny, informed me that wasn't the case at all! Who knew??? (I was almost as amazed at that thought, as he was when I informed him that when an artist paints with watercolors, all the "white" areas are actually the blank paper! He said, "That's not fair! You have to paint the whole surface with oils!" Ahhh...life ain't fair!) Anyhow, since I didn't know any better, I painted what I saw and liked, mixed colors like I wanted, and painted merrily on my way! I loved drawing and painting horses, my favorite animal! But, they couldn't just "float" around in space all the time, they needed ground and trees, and such. So, I taught myself to paint backgrounds.

Below: "DUSTY NUGGETT & SUNNY EL BEY" jpg. ; (our own horses on slate)

Then I moved on to other animals, all of which I also love. Then I painted buildings. I didn't love them so much, but, I needed to use them in some pictures. It took a long time to "get stuff right", as I really didn't have much formal art education. My parents had gotten me a correspondence course when I was still in grade- school with the, "Famous Artist's School of Westport Conn." It was pretty helpful in teaching me about shading, shapes, placement of things, etc. My high school art teachers were mostly abstract artists. They tried in vain to get me to think and create in abstract terms. But, I only  loved to paint realistic scenes....I am so stubborn! I just couldn't "see" abstract in my head! I was "driven", I guess you could say. So, the teachers finally gave up and one said, "Jane, you do everything, 'bass awkward', and it ALWAYS comes out right! I don't know how you do what you do, but, I sure can't stop you! So, you might as well continue!" Nothing like encouragement! God put all these "realistic" pictures in my head and I just had to get them out! I felt like I'd never have enough time to get them all done! It hasn't changed, I still feel the same way. I've always felt like I had a, "time limit", that I had to reach before it was too late!

Below: "ROANOKE MARSHES LIGHTHOUSE; Manteo, NC" jpg. ; oil on slate

I believe that all my talent, ability, and inspiration come as a "gift" from God. On my canvas paintings, I put a Scripture title next to my signature . If  looked up in the Bible, it will describe the scene! There is a Scripture for everything, I believe. However, on my slates, I print the whole Scripture, in oils with a tiny brush!

My husband, Rev. Sonny, and I use these scenes and Scriptures as a way to "witness" for the Lord Jesus Christ. At art shows and festivals people come into my booth to see the paintings up close. They can't help but read the Scriptures as well. We have only had a handful of people over the years who didn't like, or want, a Scripture on their art. That's too bad...for them. In that case they may go elsewhere for their art, and we will pray for them. But, if they want one of my pieces, it comes with a Scripture! No compromises on that! I pray over each piece of art before I paint  it,  for God to bless it, and for Him to let His "glory" shine out of it!  Sonny and I have seen many wonderful things, miracles, and conversions for Jesus, through my paintings with the Scriptures! It is a privilege, and honor, to work for the Lord! He's the best "boss" we ever had! He never "hollers" at us,  threatens us, or fires us when we do something stupid! Plus, He has the VERY BEST retirement plan in the....universe!

Below:  "THE MEETING HOUSE" jpg. ; print from an oil on canvas

Right: "PURPLES AND GOLDS" jpg. ; oil on antique roof slate

 A few years ago my Dad, Charles "Mac" W. McCauley, Sr., gave me about 75 antique roof slates (shingles), from his 100 year old farm house. He was having it re-roofed, and his sister, Doris Berry, from California was visiting at the time. She said, "Charles, why don't you give Janie some of those slates? I bet she could do something with them." I hated to turn him down, but, I really didn't think I wanted to fool with them! So, they "sat around" in my studio for about a year. One day when I was not too busy, I decided to try painting on one of the slates. I LOVED IT! I loved the texture, imperfections, and everything about them! Paint dried quicker than on canvas. So, I could "rough-in" a scene one day, and by the next day it was dry enough to add details! Now I could really get more of those "pictures in my head" out faster! All the scenes on slate are mostly from these pictures in my head, except of course, commissioned pieces. I felt the Lord wanted me to put the whole Scripture on front of the slate, instead of only a Scripture title. I sold the first 75 slates really fast! So, I had a little talk with the Lord. I said to Him, "Lord, if you want me to keep painting on these slates, You have to provide them!  They don't grow on trees, You know?" God likes it when you include Him in your plans! 

 Shortly after my, "talk with God", a local magazine  heard about my slate paintings and wanted to do a feature story on them, and me. A lady in a town not far away read the article. Her neighbor was in the process of  re-roofing her Dad's 150 year old farmhouse. It had a slate roof. The neighbor told the lady with the roof about the magazine article with me and my art. The "roof lady" called and asked if I would trade several paintings on slate for her children, of her Dad's house, in exchange for a load of slates! I said, "Yes! I would be glad to do that!" 

Below: "WHITE UNICORN" jpg. ; oil on antique slate from 200 year old smokehouse roof; the roof was octagon- shaped and all the slates were triangle shapes.

When Sonny and I arrived at her house she had at least a full ton of beautiful slates, neatly stacked in the foyer of the house! It took more than one trip to get them all!

Before we started to load the slates in our vehicle, she asked me if I could possibly, "leave off the Bible Scripture, or at least put is on the back of the slate?" It seems that one of her sons didn't believe in Jesus. So, without hesitating, of course I replied, "No. I can't do that." I knew she could have called off the whole deal right then. But, I also know who I work for, and that He would provide me slates from someplace else if this lady said no. But, all she said was, "Oh. Ok." And then she helped us load the slates! Later that summer she called me again. This time she was re-roofing the 200 year old, octagon-shaped smokehouse, which had a slate roof. The slates were all triangle-shaped, little at the top to big at the bottom. This was about another ton of slates! Praise the Lord!I now had four wooden "pallets" with slates piled up to my calves! As I painted on them a while, I said to the Lord, "You know Lord, I have plenty of slates right now. But, it wouldn't hurt to have a few more." For the next 3 days people came by and brought me slates, or called to ask if I needed any, (which I always do!) I then had slates piled to my knees! Every time I need slates, the same thing happens! All the slates I've gotten have been through "trade" for a painting or two on slate. No one has wanted money for the ones I've received!  In fact, most folks who have "given" me slates are excited that they will be used in witnessing for Jesus! I reckon as long as the Lord wants me to paint on slates, He will provide them! You should always talk to the Lord about what you need and want. Like I said, He likes to be included in your plans!

 Below: "WOLF SONG" jpg. ; oil on antique roof slate