The evolution of the Tradition Resin Acrylics and the JansenArt Educational Systems is quite interesting.   The system started as an idea in 2000 and grew into what you know today as the JansenArt Educational Systems. 

David Jansen MDA started Decorative Painting in the 1970's at his family's business "JoSonja's Folk Art Studio".  He started and painted in oils for many years.  During this time, JoSonja's worked very closely with Delta paint company promoting and developing the Ceramcoat line of acrylics.  In 1993 the family wanted to build a new acrylic system because of the advancement in acrylic paints.  Better binders, pigments and mediums were now available to make higher quality paints.  Late in 1993 Geoff Hesketh, president of Chroma Acrylics approached JoSonja's with the idea of building a new paint system with higher quality acrylic binders.  Over the course of the next 18 months, the JoSonja line of acrylics were developed.  As technology increased, new mediums were added to the JoSonja line trying to keep the system up to date.

 

2000

In 2000, David was approached by several international companies to design and develop a new generation, multi-media paint that could be used safely in schools and the painting industry.   There was a need for a new line of safe resin acrylics that would elevate acrylic techniques since there had been so much advancement in acrylic technology since the development of older acrylic systems.  David contacted Geoff Hesketh who now had his own company in Sydney Australia.  Together they set out to find the right paint company to manufacturer and develop this new line.

 

2002

In the spring of 2002, Stan Clifford of DecoArt Inc agreed to develop this new line.  DecoArt assigned a chemist named Rich Potter and Dana Conover to work with David to develop the Traditions line of resin acrylics, and an educational system for the line.  A new division of DecoArt called JansenArt would be created to develop this new paint line.  Rich and David tested the paints and system for over 1 year.  In the fall of 2002 David sat down and began to outline what would become the Traditions International Educational System.  The system would be built on "grassroots" education and slowly educate both artists and teachers.  The system would establish Traditions Artists, Traditions Teachers then eventually Heritage Artists and Heritage Teachers.  All levels built on education and painting techniques.  In October of 2002, David began teaching the first Traditions Artist Courses to selected students.

 

2003

Beginning in 2003 Traditions launched the first JansenArt Traditions Chapters Education Program with the goal of getting the painting market and its chapters familiar with the paint.  In June of 2003, 35 artists and teachers from Australia, Kula Lumpur, Europe, Japan, Canada and all over the United States came to Pennsylvania to learn and test new painting techniques using Traditions.  These 35 teachers would eventually become the first Traditions Teachers of the system.  David went to various cities around the United States, Canada and Europe teaching what would be the first Traditions Artists.  This continued on through 2004.  Demand for the Traditions Artist courses increased. By the end of 2003 the program had almost 500 Traditions Artists and 35 new Traditions Teachers.  

 

2004

In the summer of 2004 it was decided by JansenArt that system needed Heritage Artists that could assist in teaching the Traditions Artist courses and also assist in developing the Traditions Teacher Program.  7 experienced artists and teachers who had taken the Traditions Artist course were asked to join the system as Heritage Artists.  These artists, Gaby Hunter, Susan Abdella MDA, Sue Pruett MDA, Neadeen Masters CDA, Donna Rose Prestridge CDA, Josette Fleury, and Donna Richards came to Pennsylvania in late 2004 to begin this process under the direction of David Jansen MDA HT.

 

2005

By 2005 the first Traditions International Educational Manual was released.  This manual was the foundation of the Traditions International Education System, Teacher Education Program.  It featured 3 modules of education with a fourth module developed a year later.  The new Heritage Artists set out across the world to teach and certify Traditions Teachers using the Traditions International Educational System.  This module system of education was designed to teach and train new teachers within our industry. 

 

2006-2007

The JansenArt Systems of education continue teaching new teachers. 

 

2008

2008 Brings growth and expansion of the JansenArt Educational Systems.  As new products and mediums are introduced into the Traditions paint line, the need for a new educational systems becomes apparent.  The market has shifted and it is identified that the educational system needs revision to address these new areas.  In the fall of 2008, the older Traditions International Educational Program is dismantled and replaced with the new 3 part JansenArt Educational System, "Heritage Teacher Training Course", Heritage Artist Course" and and coming in 2010, part 3 "Brush with Color."  These new more expansive courses cover the same educational material in the older Traditions International Educational System while also including new lessons, new media uses, and expansion of the program giving all Teachers more tools, and options on tailoring the programs to meet their students needs.  The older system continued to be taught until June, 2009 when it is revised.

 

2009

The fall of 2009 begins the launch of parts 1 and 2 of the revised Heritage Educational Manual for the Jansen Art Educational System.  The Heritage Educational Program Manual is a comprehensive art curriculum that is designed for today's busy decorative painter.  This program is designed to be a developmental program for artists and teachers who want to advance their skills in painting.   The core of the program consists of three modules consisting of at least 30 lessons per module.  Beyond the three core modules we will be offering additional modules that explore water colors, children's art education, oil emulation and the various academies of art ranging from traditional Folk Art to Landscapes to Portraiture.  The Heritage Team is committed to providing the best decorative painting instruction in the world while keeping the program fun and flexible.  The full manual and modules are due for release in October, 2009.

 

2010

In 2010 the new Brush with Color series launches as part 3 of the JansenArt Educational System.  Brush with Color will teach and train new artists at home.  This new system will feature hundreds of teachers and educators across the industry working together to teach new entry level painters.  Heritage Teachers, Heritage Artists, Traditions Teachers and Traditions Artists, along with other leading art educators are developing a more expansive educational experience for Traditions painters.  Our desire is to create a new set of programs that address a wider section of the market, increasing education and desire to create.  An educational and creative system built on a quality, multi-media paint!