Published work by this artist KESTREL No. 15; A Journal of Literature and Art (cover). 42" by 52" unframed, 43 1/2" by 56" framed. Janet McKenzie (20/21st century) is active/lives in Vermont. Janet McKenzie is known for Female figure. Janet McKenzie is an American artist known for her depictions of religious themes which represent a wide range of human subjects. Her painting "Jesus of the People," for which she used an African American woman as the model, won the Jesus 2000 competition hosted by the National Catholic Reporter. Born and raised in and near New York City, McKenzie studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology and the Art Students League. She relocated to Vermont with her son, and supported herself through her art, often painting female figures. In the 1990s, she became more interested in creating art with sacred themes, and in including images of people of color in her work. In 1999 she won the competition sponsored by the National Catholic Reporter for an image of Jesus 2000. Her painting Jesus of the People, depicting Jesus as an African-American woman, was met with both acclaim and condemnation.