Janet Mait (b.1946) began her formal training at The New School, where she was a protégé of Chaim Gross. She also studied at the Art Students League, where she trained under Larry Poons and William Scharf. At the beginning of her artistic journey, she specialized in the human figure, and through years of dedicated practice, she attained mastery over form, weight, and balance. Mait began experimenting with various mediums as her artistic exploration evolved and ultimately transitioned to acrylic on canvas. This shift marked a significant liberation for the artist, as the freedom and rhythmic potential of the brush allowed her to move beyond representational forms into the realm of abstract expressionism. 

Mait prioritizes fundamental elements such as space, color, and balance in her approach to the canvas. She endeavors to remain as unprepared and unpremeditated as possible at the outset of her creative process to preserve an authentic expression. In these moments of creation, she draws inspiration from a rich internal landscape—a synthesis of visions, dreams, and emotions characterized by spontaneity and executed with meticulous balance. The vibrancy of her color palette resonates with the sense of optimism that she aims to convey through her work. Equally significant is her strategic use of white; the spatial presence it occupies is essential in defining her overall composition.