Janet Jaffke

Janet has been an artist and “maker of things” all her life. Greatly influenced by her father, a master “old school” carpenter, they spent many hours together in his workshop as she watched him carefully perfect his craft. Sometimes he would give her little projects to work on, or they would make something together. He taught her about patience and process, trial and error, quality and craftsmanship. Very good lessons for a young artist in the making.

Originally from Chicago, Janet began formal training at the School of the Art Institute. Her concentrated studies were textile design and fiber art. After graduation, she started a small business producing hand-painted fabrics for clothing and home furnishings. Working out of a garage with a few employees and her work found its way across the country and into boutiques and department stores like Sax Fifth Avenue. Simultaneously she found herself creating theatrical costumes, art installations; and work on commercials and photography sets, even book illustration. Throughout all these wonderfully creative endeavours and interesting projects, she always identified herself as a fine artist.

Several years after starting her company she was approached to participate in a government grant that would bring artists and designers into the world of multimedia and the Internet. It was a fascinating opportunity in new technology she walked out of the studio and into the world of digital design and communication.

When she moved to a small farm town in Alsace France, she found herself in the perfect place to return to the life of full time artist. She has since completed the Nicholas Wilton Creative Visionary Program, held artist residencies in the US and Italy, exhibited in Chicago, Paris, Florence and Basel.