by Janey McKeever
Acrylic on Canvas
20” x 16”
$800
A memorial to my dearest friend, Elizabeth “Beth” Grey In 2019, I experienced a devastating turn of events in life. My husband of 24 years turned fatally ill. He lost his job, and eventually we lost our home. During these stressful times I had a dear friend I wrote to across the country, in Ohio. She was the most supportive woman I have ever known. We talked daily. Her home was situated beside a river, and during heavy rains and massive storms she would post pictures of floodwaters rising. Her long yard would disappear foot by foot. Twice during the year, as my husband went downward, her home was filled by floodwaters. She fought tooth and nail to save her home. Fought black mold, and damage. Repair drained her small income. She lost her car, possessions and slowly we lost touch. Not from her, but my family actually went homeless, and I had no internet, nor computer for contact. Eventually I lost my husband. He died on our anniversary. New Years Eve, 24 years to the day. I was devastated by the loss. When I tried to contact Beth, my long term support beam, I couldn’t find her. I eventually called her daughter and found the damage from the last flood had gotten her ill, the mold, the winter had been too much. She was gone. And so often I do not know where my grief begins or ends over the two, the events are so vastly different, yet so intertwined. We shared the poverty, the loss, the hardships, but could not share the end. I miss her dearly. Love you, Beth.
Janey McKeever is an artist based in the mountains near New Cuyama at the border of Kern and Santa Barbara counties. Raised in Fresno, California, she has also lived in Williams, Arizona, and throughout Kern County, experiences that continue to shape her appreciation for the natural landscapes and rural communities reflected in her work.
McKeever creates original acrylic, watercolor, and mixed media artwork inspired by emotion, nature, and personal experience. Her portfolio includes abstract expression, florals, landscapes, dragonflies, seasonal imagery, and symbolic works that explore healing, resilience, and human connection. In addition to fine art, she paints murals, seasonal window displays, and custom race car graphics, bringing creativity into both public and everyday spaces.
Currently pursuing a degree in Art Therapy, McKeever is passionate about the ways creative expression can support emotional well-being and personal growth. Her own experiences overcoming adversity have deepened her belief that art can foster hope, reflection, and meaningful connection. Through original artwork and community-based projects, she strives to create pieces that bring warmth, beauty, and authenticity to those who experience them.
Art is how I express emotions that are often difficult to put into words. I paint intuitively, allowing color, texture, and movement to guide each piece. Living in the mountains near New Cuyama inspires my work, along with experiences of healing, resilience, and hope. I am pursuing a degree in Art Therapy because I believe creativity can foster connection, self-expression, and emotional well-being. Whether I am painting an abstract, a landscape, or a mural, my goal is simple: to create artwork that brings comfort, beauty, and a genuine emotional connection.
by Janey McKeever
Acrylic on Canvas
20” x 16”
$800
A memorial to my dearest friend, Elizabeth “Beth” Grey In 2019, I experienced a devastating turn of events in life. My husband of 24 years turned fatally ill. He lost his job, and eventually we lost our home. During these stressful times I had a dear friend I wrote to across the country, in Ohio. She was the most supportive woman I have ever known. We talked daily. Her home was situated beside a river, and during heavy rains and massive storms she would post pictures of floodwaters rising. Her long yard would disappear foot by foot. Twice during the year, as my husband went downward, her home was filled by floodwaters. She fought tooth and nail to save her home. Fought black mold, and damage. Repair drained her small income. She lost her car, possessions and slowly we lost touch. Not from her, but my family actually went homeless, and I had no internet, nor computer for contact. Eventually I lost my husband. He died on our anniversary. New Years Eve, 24 years to the day. I was devastated by the loss. When I tried to contact Beth, my long term support beam, I couldn’t find her. I eventually called her daughter and found the damage from the last flood had gotten her ill, the mold, the winter had been too much. She was gone. And so often I do not know where my grief begins or ends over the two, the events are so vastly different, yet so intertwined. We shared the poverty, the loss, the hardships, but could not share the end. I miss her dearly. Love you, Beth.
Janey McKeever is an artist based in the mountains near New Cuyama at the border of Kern and Santa Barbara counties. Raised in Fresno, California, she has also lived in Williams, Arizona, and throughout Kern County, experiences that continue to shape her appreciation for the natural landscapes and rural communities reflected in her work.
McKeever creates original acrylic, watercolor, and mixed media artwork inspired by emotion, nature, and personal experience. Her portfolio includes abstract expression, florals, landscapes, dragonflies, seasonal imagery, and symbolic works that explore healing, resilience, and human connection. In addition to fine art, she paints murals, seasonal window displays, and custom race car graphics, bringing creativity into both public and everyday spaces.
Currently pursuing a degree in Art Therapy, McKeever is passionate about the ways creative expression can support emotional well-being and personal growth. Her own experiences overcoming adversity have deepened her belief that art can foster hope, reflection, and meaningful connection. Through original artwork and community-based projects, she strives to create pieces that bring warmth, beauty, and authenticity to those who experience them.
Art is how I express emotions that are often difficult to put into words. I paint intuitively, allowing color, texture, and movement to guide each piece. Living in the mountains near New Cuyama inspires my work, along with experiences of healing, resilience, and hope. I am pursuing a degree in Art Therapy because I believe creativity can foster connection, self-expression, and emotional well-being. Whether I am painting an abstract, a landscape, or a mural, my goal is simple: to create artwork that brings comfort, beauty, and a genuine emotional connection.
