Holiday memories transport the mind toward home. For painter Janelle Murraine, the U.S. Virgin Islands brings to mind coquito, a tropical eggnog treat, ham centerpieces and rollicking downtown festivities.

Two years ago, when she was in need of some soul searching, Murraine returned to St. Thomas and left behind her thirteen-year career in social work. After nine months of food, family and holiday joy, she came back to Tallahassee as a photographer for JC Penny Portraits.

Now, two years later she is a full-time artist who will have 27 pieces featured in the LeMoyne Arts 56th Annual Holiday Show.  

Last May Murraine was headed to the portrait studio when the light and shadows cast by the sun caught her eye. She took out her camera and snapped some photos she thought would make interesting paintings. As someone who had grown up surrounded by creative family members — her mother is quick with a crochet and sewing needle and brother pens fantastical animations — Murraine headed to the craft store to buy canvas and acrylic paints.

“I didn’t know anything, I had never painted before,” admits Murraine. “But I went straight for it and loved it. I felt like once I got anything I had pent-up on the inside on the canvas it was the most exhilarating, refreshing feeling. It was stepping into cool water on a hot day.” 

Murraine continued to dive deeper, working anywhere from one to six hours a day in her apartment. She set up an easel near a bright light source and zoned in, calling upon the spirit of creativity to guide her brush. Murraine quickly consumed any video or book she could get her hands on about painting throughout the centuries and gravitated towards the life works of Leonardo DaVinci. 

“He was an artist trapped in a genius’ mind and ahead of his time,” says Murraine. “I loved that he always found ways to be better and create opportunities for himself.”

In a similar fashion to DaVinci, Murraine first walked into Painting with a Twist looking to immerse herself in more opportunities. She showed the manager her work but wasn’t hired, so she went back to her canvas and visualized herself getting better. Three months later she walked back in, painted a portrait of twins she had photographed and was hired on the spot. 

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