Artists of 2041: Jan Larsen

From lockdown sketches to iconic calendars, Jan Larsen captures the charm of Balmain life.

“There’s always something that could be a painting”

Painter Jan Larsen has long been sketching and strolling her way through the Balmain Peninsula, capturing local rooftops, shopfronts and harbourside views in delicate watercolours and bold acrylics. 

This September, Roaring Stories Bookshop will launch a new exhibition of her paintings alongside the release of her 2026 Balmain Peninsula Calendar  – now in its third edition – and an expanded range of greeting cards. It’s a milestone moment for a late-blooming artist whose work has become quietly iconic in the area.

We sat down with Jan to talk art beginnings, calendar favourites, and how a lockdown sketchbook turned into a local success story.

When did you start making art?

I started as a very young child in Perth, taking art lessons with other children from an artist who encouraged us to express our thoughts freely using poster paints on butcher’s paper. I loved it – through primary school I kept sketchbooks filled with horses, pets and other obsessions.

But in secondary school, art classes clashed with French, which I also really wanted to pursue – so I gave up art, telling myself it was something I could always come back to later.

When did you begin exhibiting?

Not until much later, after I’d retired from full-time work. My first exhibition was in February 2021 with three old school friends. It was called City, Country and Creativity, held in Pyrmont, and each of us had very different styles – but we were encouraged by its success.

Shortly after that, Daniel Jordon, manager of Roaring Stories in Balmain, saw some of the sketches I’d done during COVID lockdown – mostly local scenes, later coloured with watercolours. He suggested turning them into greeting cards to sell in the shop. 

With the help of an ex-local design graduate, Genevieve French, I started with 12 designs. That range has grown to nearly 30 now.

It was also Daniel who suggested we create a calendar featuring scenes from around the Balmain Peninsula. The first came out in 2024. Genevieve helped with the layout and design again, and now we’re about to release the third – the 2026 calendar – this September.

What are your current artistic influences or exhibitions you’ve recently enjoyed?

I’ve always loved visiting galleries, especially while travelling. A continuing education course at Sydney University reignited my interest in 20th-century art – I became fascinated by artists like Kandinsky, then Edward Hopper, and later Jeffrey Smart.

Recently I was captivated by the Magritte exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW. I also closely follow the evolution of Indigenous Australian art. Standouts for me are Rover Thomas and Emily Kame Kngwarreye. The current Yolŋu art exhibition from Yirrkala at the AGNSW is deeply powerful – it’s not to be missed.

But even day to day, just looking at the world around me sparks ideas. There’s always something that could be a painting, or part of one.

Tell us about your artistic process. Do you paint at home?

I paint mostly at the Willoughby Arts Centre, where I’ve been taking classes for years. I don’t have a studio at home, so that space – and the support of my fellow students and our teacher, Brandt Lewis – has been incredibly important.

For my local sketches, it’s more spontaneous. During COVID travel restrictions, walking around the Balmain Peninsula really made me appreciate how visually rich this area is. I’d sketch in pen or pencil while out walking, then add watercolour later at home.

What does a typical day look like for you in Balmain?

It’s quite varied, but most days start with coffee at one of our many local cafés. I have regular art classes and I also volunteer as a tour guide with the Sydney Heritage Fleet. I often meet friends for lunch – one favourite spot is the SH Ervin Gallery on Observatory Hill, where we’ll see an exhibition and then eat at the café next door.

With my family based in New York and Darwin, I also make time to visit them – and my New York daughter recently bought a holiday home on a Greek island, which is a wonderful temptation for an artist! We were lucky to visit recently. It’s a beautiful place to paint.

How did your collaboration with Daniel Jordon at Roaring Stories come about?

He’s been a huge supporter – not just of my work, but of the local area. From those first greeting cards to the calendar idea, he’s been encouraging all along. The 2026 calendar will be our third release together, and it’s still a pleasure to work with him.

What inspired the art in the 2026 calendar? Are they sketches, paintings — both?

Both! As in previous years, it’s a mix of acrylic paintings and watercolour sketches. All are inspired by the neighbourhood — the cottages, chimneys, grand Victorian terraces, and of course the harbour views. There’s so much variety and charm here, it’s hard not to be inspired.

Do you have a personal favourite from the 2026 calendar?

For the sketches, the cover image –  a view from Ballast Point Park over Mort Bay toward the colourful Waterview Workshops and the Bridge – is a real favourite of mine. It had already been a popular card, so I thought it was the right choice for the cover.

Among the acrylics, I love the June and July paintings – both evening scenes. One, interestingly, now reminds me of a Magritte painting I saw recently… although I actually painted it before the exhibition!

You must be in the bookshop a lot. What are you reading at the moment?

Yes, I’m often there. I really appreciate the author events Roaring Stories hosts – including at the Royal Oak Hotel (the August image in the calendar), the Red Mill Rum Distillery (December), and the White Bay Brewery.

I recently read Broke Road by Matthew Spencer – a gripping crime novel and great for a flight. I always turn to the staff at Roaring Stories for recommendations. They know their stuff.

Do you have any advice for aspiring artists?

Just give it a go! Try sketching somewhere peaceful – or wherever draws your interest. Join a class if you can – a good teacher and supportive group make a big difference. And most of all, go to art exhibitions!

The Balmain Peninsula Calendar 2026 by Jan Larsen is available to purchase exclusively at Roaring Stories from Sept 1^st (RRP$49.99)

268 Darling St, Balmain