Biografia
Born in the Maritimes, in the early sixties, Jan grew up on the East Coast, has lived abroad and traveled all over the world. After acquiring a B.A. in music (piano) and a Master’s in Library and Information Science, she “fell into batik” while observing a friend compose a market scene with wax and dyes. Where ever it is applied, wax prevents dyes from penetrating the fabric; when dye spills outside the waxed area, the fabric comes to life. For Jan, it’s enchanting to work in the negative and have images appear as if from nowhere. That first evening of story-telling through batik shaped her core approach. She avoided straightforward textbook techniques and has developed a vigorous, organic style that is stimulated by the extremes of any experience or event that compels her to step outside her comfort zone. It is the unexpected and the promise of a new adventure that drives her on a daily basis. Her determination to experiment with wax, dye, bleach, and fabric has allowed her to fuse expressionism and abstract modernism, to develop a personal vocabulary that remains essentially dramatic. She is persistent, dedicated and a passionate teacher, explorer, artist and Canadian
