Janet was born in Sheffield, England. She studied Chemistry and received an Honors degree from Manchester University and then a teaching credential from Cambridge University. She started her career as a research chemist and teacher. During her teaching career, she taught at Amanzimtoti Zulu Training School in South Africa.
After raising 3 children, and building an insurance brokerage business with her husband Bob, she was able to pursue her love of art.
Janet studied at workshops in Italy, San Miguel de Allende and the USA. During this time, she found her main interest was mixed media and collage.