About Jane

 Artist statement

A flower and the trellis it climbs upon; a building and the pattern the sun creates on the windows; a bridge with the seemingly delicate wires that make up the super structure. Everything I encounter during the course of a day can provide ideas for the sculptural garments I make.

In my studio the process evolves as I gather fabrics and materials that appeal to me and work well together. Perhaps an element of the fabric reflects my mood or the season. Wool, when felted into the fabric, gives it a luxurious feel and texture. As I place the wool upon the fabric many questions come to mind. Will I accentuate or block the shapes within the fabric's patterns? Or will the patterns be ignored completely? What kind of garment will the finished cloth become? The results of all my ruminations are revealed in each one-of-a-kind work of wearable art.

Turning these elements into felted fabric reminds me of baking bread. The ingredients are mixed together. The temperature is slowly increased. Like dough, the fabric is worked, even kneaded. It is manipulated enough to give it the perfect drape for its intended purpose. Too much and it will be stiff. Not enough and it will not be felted properly. After washing and drying, the fabric is sewn into an article of clothing. Placed upon the human body – Viola! A miracle. Then the process starts anew, and another garment is begun.