About Us
Janet Lee Chauncey
Our mother was a beautiful person. Her laughter was melodious and contagious. We miss her every day, but are so fortunate that her artwork and our memories of her live on.
Janet Lee Chauncey was born and raised in Manhattan. As a girl, she found time to explore Central Park on horseback, visit NYC's fabulous museums, and body surf the waves at Southampton, NY. As a teenager she was enthusiastically going to cinemas and jazz clubs in the West Village. She had a wild side. Her entire life she aspired to be an opera singer and/or modern dancer (which she always was to us). She attended The New School where she studied painting and sculpture. She married at the age of 18 and moved to Connecticut at the age of 22 to raise her daughters.
She was always busy, but found time to create art; drawing, painting, and sculpting. Our house in Connecticut was one big art studio, walls being painted, pots being fired in the kiln, cards being made. Holidays were especially memorable with the three of us making homemade papier mache Easter bonnets, drawing Valentines by candlelight, and water marbling our own wrapping paper. It was an idyllic setting where imagination flourished and creativity was encouraged and admired.
In the 1980's she became passionate about photography and studied at Paier College of Art in Hamden, CT. She was most interested in learning to develop her own photographic work, which she was soon doing in her own in-home darkroom.
She moved to Vermont in the 1980's to hike, bike, ski, garden and to continue creating art. She loved her life and her home in Vermont and remained there for 40 years until her passing in 2022.
Heidi
Wife and mother of three who loves spending time with family and friends, working in the garden, and walking her dogs. She embraces snowy days, enjoys hiking, dabbles with watercolors, and relaxes with crossword puzzles or a good book. Now, at a point in her life with more time to on her hands, Heidi is grateful to her mother for empowering her with a can-do attitude and the courage to "dabble".
She loves visiting her sister in Maine, shucking oysters, watching the Perseids by the fire pit, and having 'paint night'!
Creating Chauncey Art Collective with Gretchen is a dream come true.
Gretchen
Lives in Downeast Maine with her dog, Sweetie Pie. She is inspired by the beauty and adventures that await her every time she steps outside, no matter the season.
Loves hiking, biking and exploring new places. After 20 plus years as a Bostonian, she has become adept at starting a woodstove and firepit, mowing and shoveling. Setting a pretty table, making a nice hors d'oeuvres spread, listening to great music and lots of laughing are her everyday goals.
Being able to work alongside Heidi to arrange these artworks into a real collection has been a fantastic experience. The winter temperatures and storms have meant a lot of hours video conferencing rather than being able to collaborate in person. But, soon the spring will come and we can see each other again as we continue to grow Chauncey Art Collective, LLC.