Born in Coventry, Jan studied Fine Art at Coventry College of Art at Durham University. She taught in the south including a part time lectureship at the then West of England College of Art, Bristol. Jan set up her own business doing varied commissions. Work included murals in churches, pubs and schools and a contract for Courage Breweries for pictorial pub signs while continuing to paint for private collectors.

Jan moved to Scotland in 1973 and began working seriously as a painter, highly motivated by the Scottish landscape. Jan moved around Scotland, choosing to live in some fairly remote places, including Wester Ross, Braemar, Isle of Mull and by the Crinan Canal. She absorbs the atmosphere and beauty of each place in a unique style, using soft and delicate tones, which manage to depict the dramatic landscape of Scotland.

Jan has shared many successful two-person exhibitions with her husband, John Fisher, who is also a painter. They now live in Pittenweem, where they have their own gallery.