Janet Jaffke
I’ve been an artist and “maker of things” all my life. I was greatly influenced by my father – a master “old school” carpenter. We spent many hours together in his workshop (our garage) and I watched him carefully perfect his craft. Sometimes he would give me little projects to work on, or we would make something together. He taught me about patience and process, trial and error, quality and craftsmanship. Very good lessons for a young artist in the making.
Originally from Chicago, I began my formal training at the School of the Art Institute. I concentrated my studies on textile design and fiber art and after I graduated I started a small business producing hand-painted fabrics for clothing and home furnishings. Working out of my garage with a few employees and my work found it’s way across the country in boutiques and even a few big name department stores like Sax Fifth Avenue. Simultaneously I also found myself creating theatrical costumes, art installations; working on commercials and photography sets, even book illustration. Throughout all these wonderfully creative endeavors and interesting projects, I was always aware of a part of my self that identified me as painter.
Several years after starting my company I was approached to participate in a government grant designed to bring artists and designers into the world of multimedia and the Internet. I was fascinated with the new technology and walked out of the studio and into the world of digital design and communication.
It wasn’t until a few years ago when I moved to a small farm town in Alsace France, that I found myself in the perfect place to surrender to a lifetime “knowing” that I was a painter. I’m now following a new creative path and excited about all there is to discover and learn along the way. I thank you for joining me along the way.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Education
2019 Color & Design Workshop LaRomita School of Art, Umbria Italy
2019 Art2Life Creative Visionary Program
2015 Art2Life Creative Visionary Program
2000 Continuing Education – School of the Art Institute of Chicago
1999 Certificate, Accelerated Multimedia Training, Truman College, Chicago
1982 BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Exhibitions
2020 Associazione Culturale Il Palmerino
2019 Salon d’Automne, Paris, France
2019 Group show, Front of Bicycle, Basel, Switzerland
2018 Group show, Front of Bicycle, Basel, Switzerland
2018 Galerie 21, One person show, Altkirch, France
2018 Artbox Project, Virtual show, New York, New York, USA
2017 Front of Bicycle, Group show, Basel, Switzerland
2017 Salon des 40, Group show, St. Louis, France
2017 Tom Robinson Gallery, Two person show, Chicago, IL, USA
2008 Jackson Junge Gallery, Group show, Chicago, IL, USA
2007 Tom Robinson Gallery, Group show, Chicago, IL, USA
2006 Inside Art, Three women show, Chicago, IL
2004 Annual Celebrity Chair Auction, Chicago, IL, USA
1982 Traveling Fellowship Competition, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, IL, USA
Publications
2018 DNA, Journal D’Alsace
1972 Chicago Tribune Style Section
1989 Chicago Times Magazine
1990, 1991, 1992 Women’s Wear Daily
1989 Made in Illinois
Artist Residencies
2020 (February – June) Residenza d’Arte il Palmerino, Florence, Italy
2017 Blueberry View Artist Retreat, Benton Harbor, Michigan
1992 Lakeside Art Center, Lakeside Michigan
1990 Art Park, Lewiston NY
1987 Art Park, Lewiston NY
EXHIBITIONS
Residenza d’Arte il Palmerino,
Florence, Italy
May 2020
Salon d’Automne
Paris, France
October 2019
Front of Bicycle / Braswell Art Center
Basel Switzerland
Juried Group Show
April 2019
Front of Bicycle / Braswell Art Center
Basel Switzerland
Juried Group Show
April 2018
Galerie 21
Altkirch, France
Solo Show
March 2018
Front of Bicycle / Braswell Art Center
Basel Switzerland
Juried Group Show
November 2017
Salon des 40
St. Louis, Alsace, France
Juried Group Show
November 2017
Tom Robinson Gallery
Chicago, Il
2 Person Show
September 2017
Jackson Junge Gallery
Elemental Flux
Group Show
Fall 2011
H. F. Johnson Gallery of Art
Ethereal Fauna: The Artists Muse
Carthage College -Kenosha Wisconsin
Group Show
May 2011
EDUCATION
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
ART RESIDENCY
Residenza d’Arte il Palmerino
Blueberry View Artist Residency
