Meet Block artist Jane Harris - famous for her gorgeous rainbows!

Jane is a South Australian based artist who founded ‘Pick A Pear’ from a creative passion and is now fulfilling a dream featuring on The Block.

Tell us a bit about yourself…
I’m Jane Harris and I’m the founder and creator of “Pick a Pear”. I’m an Adelaide Artist that creates original art pieces with inks, acrylics, watercolour and gouache. I then reproduce my art into quality Framed Fine Art Prints, Stretched Canvas Prints, Unframed Prints, Wall Decals, Greeting Cards and more, right here in Australia.

The meaning behind the name ‘Pick a Pear’ is that I typically create my artwork in pairs and I love pears. You can pick one, or pick a pair (pear)!



Jane's art was selected for the Tombolo Kitchen Block challenge "It will be a moment to remember forever," Jane tells The Block Shop.

How long have you been producing your art?
Growing up I’ve always had an eye for creating and my mother saw potential in me at the age of 3. Over many years I painted and illustrated for friends and family and they would always say to me, “Jane, you should start selling your art.” In my late 30’s after having my two children and returning to work part-time, I decided to go back to what I really loved and that was being creative! I love what I do every day.  Producing quality art for customers to enjoy in their homes and workplaces.

Where do you draw inspiration from?
I get inspiration from nature, by taking photos of plants and animals and looking at décor colours and trends. Some days I’ll just sketch for hours and some of my best designs have come from just mucking around and having fun.

"I typically create my artwork in pairs and I love pears. You can pick one, or pick a pair (pear)" Jane tells The Block Shop.

How would you describe your art?
I describe my art as refined and detailed which can take days to complete.  I love creating artwork with lots of detail, whether it’s an illustration with ink, or a painting with watercolour, gouache or acrylic. Realism is probably my favourite, but I do love all types of art and that is why I love to mix up my style so much. Some of my best selling pieces like the Rainbow Warrior and Little River Love came from some quick design sketches.

Your art features on The Block this year?
It still blows my mind that my art got selected for The Block 2021. It will be a moment to remember forever. It was on a Monday and I ended up going to bed really early after attending a family funeral. I woke in the early hours of Tuesday with missed calls and messages from The Block Shop as a  Block couple had chosen my artwork to be featured on the show!  Ronnie & Georgia had selected two of my artworks with the help of Nadia (The Block Shop Designer) for a Block Challenge Room. As it was for a challenge room, there was no time to waste.  The pressure was on to deliver the artwork by 4pm that day. They chose two of my framed “Rainbow Warrior” Fine Art Prints.  I then suggested another print to complement these works and boom it went from two to three pieces. I literally screamed!

I had so many emotions.  I was nervous, excited, in shock, there were happy tears and screams.  So much was going on in my head and I was on cloud nine for weeks!  My heart was full and still to this day I can’t believe out of so many Artists, my three art pieces were chosen.


Pick A Pear's three rainbows shine in the room styled by The Block faves making Jane's dreams of featuring on The Block become a reality. 

What does it mean for you to have your art featured on The Block and be a Block Shop artist?
It means the world to have my art featured on The Block. It is so hard to represent yourself as an Artist and to try and stand out amongst so much talent. In fact, even before becoming a Block Shop Artist back in Sept 2018, it was on my bucket list to have my art featured on the show. I’m still overwhelmed it actually happened!  

Having three pieces featured is even more reason to celebrate and I can’t thank The Block styling team and Ronnie & Georgia along with Mitch & Mark enough for making my dreams become a reality.  

I think I’m still in shock since the day I received that phone call.  To have my art featured on such a fabulous TV show is beyond exciting. 

Favourite Block couple?  
There are so many I’ve loved watching over the years.  Not only for their interior styling but their personalities and TV entertainment. I loved Jimmy & Tam, Deb & Andy, Mitch & Mark, Norm & Jess, Ronnie & Georgia, Hayden & Sara and Alisa & Lysandra...the list goes on!


The Block faves Ronnie and Georgia along with Mitch and Mark at the Tombolo School Challenge.

Where do you like to create your art?
I have an art studio set up at home with all my art supplies, easel, drafting table and hundreds of unframed art prints ready to ship.  

If it’s a nice day I will sometimes sit outside and create for days. In the near future, I have plans to relocate my art studio so I can separate my work and home life.

How do you fit your art around life?
I do find I work better with no distractions, so if I can I will leave any non-essential things like website updates and data entry at night when the kids are in bed.  I try to use my days to do art when there’s natural light.

I fit my art around my family, so when the kids are at school and hubby at work, I get busy. Once I start a piece, there’s usually no stopping me.  I put everything aside and just create for hours on end.

We love these gorgeous fabric wall decals by Jane that are removable, repositionable and reusable - perfect for a kids room!

Favourite house decorating trend?
I really love the wall panelling at the moment.  Ronnie & Georgia’s master bedroom panelling is stunning. I’m inspired to create something similar in my bedroom when I get some time.

Favourite room in the house?
This would have to be my front lounge room.  It has high ceilings, it’s inviting and cosy, and in the afternoon, sunshine fills up the room.

If you could renovate one room in your house which would it be?
It would definitely be my master bedroom.  I tried to remove the wallpaper about 3 years ago and gave up.  Still to this day, it’s incomplete.  I tend to prioritise work and family over renovating, but I love a good DIY and getting on the tools.

'Rainbow Arch' wall decal with original colours from an art piece featuring gorgeous dark teal and earthy tones of yellows, crimson, and mustard.

Favourite artwork you own?
My favourite artwork that I have hanging in my home is called Pear Orchard in Silver Grey.  I created this piece a few years back and never get sick of looking at it.  This is also available at The Block Shop and of course, there is a matching print, the Apple Orchard.

Most treasured possession?
I love my drafting table my husband bought me for my 40th Birthday.  I also have a growing collection of Mister Zimi pieces that I love to wear.  They are fun and colourful and reflect my personality.

A perfect Sunday afternoon would be….
Spending time with family and friends in the sunshine, enjoying good champagne and food.

Anything that you are loving at the moment that you would like to share with us?
Yes, I love that I am diversifying my business and using my art on other products. I just released my very first wall decal collection called “Rainbow Arch”. This design was from my original artwork called “Rainbow Warrior” as featured on The Block. I’m looking forward to growing my wall decal range and developing other products too.

We are in love with this pretty 'sherbert rainbow' 'wall decal perfect if you are renting! 

Thank you for sharing Jane and please check out Pick A Pear’s fabulous range of art HERE