Rhonda Shelford Jansen was born and raised in Alaska and is of Alaska Native descent.  She resides mostly in Mukilteo, Washington but spends much time in Anchorage. 

She has been painting and drawing since she was a child and first studied under pioneer Alaskan artist Toby Tyler and her Sugpiaq and Unangan Grandmother, Lydia Resoff Shelford. She also studied art in college while majoring in business.  However, she didn't turn her attention to art full-time until 2018 and she has been going strong ever since.

She has been in and around the fishing industry her entire life while living in Homer,
Kodiak, Dutch Harbor, and the Pacific Northwest.  She comes from a long line of pioneer, Alaskan fishermen and her husband and youngest son continue that tradition.
Painting and photographing nautical scenes and Native culture is a perfect fit
and comprises most of Rhonda's work. She loves honoring her native heritage through paintings that focus on the culture, beauty, resiliency, and ingenuity of all Alaskan cultures.

She has illustrated five books: Koyukon Fish Camp (Benchmark Publications), Unigkuat - Kodiak Alutiiq Legends, Alaska Sea Escapes, The CIRI Activity Book, and Buttons.  She does shows in Alaska and occasionally in Washington.  She has been featured in newsletters and the websites for CIRI and the Aleut Corporation and featured on the website of The Native Conservancy.  Her art has been used by the NIHB (National Indian Health Board) and soon the Mayo Clinic.  She has been in the Everett Herald and Lynnwood Times newspapers.  Her art has been used on the set of the drama series "Alaska Daily."  You can view and/or purchase her work in house or online, at the Alaska Native Heritage Center, The Alutiiq Museum, The Museum of the Aleutians, Stephan Fine Arts in Hotel Captain Cook, and Collective49.  Her work is currently featured at the Alaska Native Heritage Center gallery through June and you can view it at Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center Gallery in Fairbanks. 

You can follow her art and photography on Instagram @rsjartist and on Facebook @rhondashelfordjansenartist

Rhonda sells originals and museum quality enhanced, canvas giclees on this website and sells heavy art paper, archival, giclees and standard prints at   www.rhondashelfordjansenart.com 

Rhonda is an original shareholder of the Aleut Corporation, a descendant shareholder of CIRI and a member of the Ninilchik Tribe.  She is listed in the Department of the Interior Indian Arts and Crafts Board

She is available for commissions.