Janet Fish

Janet Fish, artist, passed away at her home in Wells, Vermont, on December 11, 2025. Born on March 18, 1938, in Boston, Massachusetts, she grew up in New England and Bermuda, which impacted her fascination with light and color as an artist.

Janet brought delight and wonder to those who saw her paintings, either in museums, galleries or privately. She painted passionately and deliberately, infusing her works with her keen intelligence, wit, and uncanny skills as a painter. The joie de vivre that she brought to life, to intensely seeing, and vigorously painting will be greatly missed.

Janet earned her degree from Smith College and went on to study at the Yale School of Art, where she learned alongside artists like Chuck Close, Richard Serra, and Nancy Graves. She was influenced by the popular Abstract Expressionism of her time but chose to focus on ordinary subjects, highlighting light and color in still-life paintings.

Called a “visionary of the real” by art critic Gerrit Henry, Janet turned everyday objects into bright, beautiful still-life compositions. Starting in the late 1960s, she skillfully showcased the interaction of light with glass and plastic, creating complex works that reflected her view of light as a source of life. After moving part-time to Vermont from NYC in the late 1970s, her paintings included more human figures and landscapes, inspired by the scenery and neighbors, showcasing her deep connection to her surroundings.

Janet’s work gained recognition in major places like The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art. She was represented by DC Moore Gallery since 1995. She is survived by her husband, Charles Parness; her sister, Alida Fish; and her brother, Winthrop Fish, and her many friends and fans.