Janet trained as a botanist before taking up ceramics. Her current work expresses aspects of the Australian landscape through the use of Chinese decorative arts conventions. She writes: ‘I am transfixed by small flashes of colour in what may sometimes be seen as ‘drab’ country, as they draw me into an examination of the beauty of small things. This is a way to enter into a big landscape and a way to find one’s way in the world.’
After completing a science degree, Janet DeBoos studied ceramics at East Sydney (National Art School) in 1970/71. She has taught at and been in charge of ceramics at various colleges in Sydney (St George and Randwick TAFEs) and was Head Teacher at East Sydney when she retired from full-time teaching in 1980 to run a production pottery for almost 20 years.
She has written (or co-authored) three books on glazes (Glazes for Australian Potters, More Glazes for Australian Potters and Handbook for Australian Potters), been invited speaker at national and international conferences, and conducted workshops or demonstrations in most states of Australia, the USA and China.
She is an editorial consultant on Ceramics Technical and Ceramics-Art & Perception, and a regular contributor to these and other journals. She received Australian Research Council Grants for 1996, 1997 and 1998 to examine the stability of barium glazes.
DeBoos exhibits regularly both in Australia and internationally and is represented in many major permanent public collections in Australia, UK, Canada, China, Taiwan, Belgium, and New Zealand including the National Gallery of Australia, The National Museum of China, Boston Museum of Fine Art and the Musee de Mariemont, Belgium.