Jan Waller Artist

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I create I breathe easy.

 

As a child I was happiest drawing, I wanted my life to be like the stories I read.  The art room at school was my sanctuary.

I draw when I’m talking, thinking and trying to explain something.

 

My mother was a war child, she is of the “make do and mend” generation and that was prevalent in my home growing up. I was the youngest, a mistake, the milkman’s kid. My mother was a whizz with hand me downs, repurposing, recycling. She missed rationing. I won dressing up contests, I had the best costume in the school play.

 

I love family stories and fairy tales. I love nature and color.

 

For a long time I felt I was trying to find the artist that fit me, was I a painter? An illustrator? A sculptor?

 

All yes, and all no.

 

Working with fiber I feel connected. I feel a connection to my mother and to the greater past.

 

Felting is ancient, developed centuries, maybe millennia ago.

 

Stitching is rhythmical, quiet, and solitary.

 

I love the color, pattern and texture that working with fiber and fabric brings.

 

I like the touch and feel of fluff and silk and threads.

 

My arms have a satisfying ache after a day of felting.

 

My imagery comes from me, my stories, experiences and history.

 

Every girl is me and I am every girl.

 

My mother, my daughter and me. We are each other, we are felted and stitched together in my work.

 

 

I am a British fiber artist, living in Plymouth MI, my work predominately features felt making. I studied Fine Art (Sculpture) at Loughborough College of Art and Design. After Art College and a variety of “interesting” jobs I became an art teacher and taught art at secondary level (Middle and High School) for 10 years. My passion for felting began at a day course with Gillian “GladRags” Harris. A move to Australia gave me access to some of the world’s foremost felters and the famous Victorian Feltmakers Institute. Since moving to Michigan I have been a member of the Ann Arbor Fiber Arts Guild and have exhibited around Michigan, including ArtPrize 2012.