Meet the Tutor: Coffee & Colour with Janina Maher
- Gemma Gittins
- Jun 24
- 3 min read
If you’ve ever walked into an art shop and felt like a kid in a sweetshop, you have a kindred spirit in Janina Maher. From her garden studio in Caversham, UK, she creates everything from intricate hand-bound books to watercolour building commissions. I caught up with her to talk about the joy of messy desks, the thrill of waterskiing, and why she always reads the end of a book first.
Our Queen of Art Materials
When I asked Janina which three tools she would choose for her desert island selection, I nearly caused a crisis. "Crikey, that’s a tough one!" she laughs. "Being the 'Queen of Art Materials,' I usually have so many tools and materials on the go."
Pushed to choose, her trio of supplies would be a classic black fineliner pen, watercolour paints (and plenty of paper), plus her trusty gel plate of course. “But I’d also need acrylic paint and paper to go with it!” she explains.
It comes as no surprise then that Janina couldn’t choose a favourite art shop; she’s on the mailing list for every shop you can name, ever hopeful of a bargain. "I’m a complete addict!" she admits.
The Organised Mess
Although Janina teaches online from her dining room table, her main creative space is her garden studio - where the scent of her “out-of-control jasmine” wafts through the door. Behind the camera, she describes her space as "very messy BUT organised."
"I know where everything is," she explains - though that might be about to change. "Just yesterday I got a set of cupboards and drawers from IKEA, so no doubt when I’ve tidied up, I won’t be able to find anything ever again!"
While she doesn't have a full-time four-legged assistant, she does have a furry friend called Archie who occasionally joins her. He isn't much help with the bookbinding or painting however, "He’s far more interested in snoozing on the sofa than checking out my art!"
A few of Janina’ favourite things
Favourite colour: Teal blue
Favourite museum: The Thyssen, Madrid
Favourite season: Any of the warm ones!
Favourite smell: Flowers (specifically that garden jasmine)
Favourite time to create: Daytime—"I fall asleep at 8pm!"
Favourite artist: Helen Wells or our very own Karen Carter!
Silencing the Critic
For those who fear the blank page, Janina has the ultimate antidote. "No, I'm never nervous," she says. "Just sloosh some paint on and get going."
Her philosophy on silencing the inner critic is refreshingly honest: "Some of my work is terrible, some is okay, and occasionally I like it! That’s just the way it is. When it’s not going well, I try and think about what I’m learning - sometimes the lesson is simply 'don’t do that again.'"
Fuelled by Coffee and Suspense
While some of our tutors are loving their calming herbal teas, Janina’s studio runs on one thing: "Coffee, coffee, coffee."
When she isn't creating, Janina is incredibly active - you’ll likely find her at the gym or out on the water. "I love waterskiing," she shares, which explains her favourite view being the lake or the beach. And when she finally sits down to relax? She’s a bit of a rebel. "I always read the last pages of a book when I’m about 50 pages in to see if it’s worth continuing. I’m currently hooked on Will Dean’s thrillers."
Any Final Words of Wisdom?
"Every 'failed' piece is just a lesson in what to try next time."
A massive thank you to Janina for letting us take a little glimpse behind the scenes of her studio. If you'd like to join a class with Janina, check out Gel Plate Printing: Inspired by Nature or Handmade Books: Piano & Reverse Piano Hinge - both coming soon! (Waterskiing optional!)
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