JANE FLESHMAN

ARTIST STATEMENT

“I grew up on the farmlands of northwest Washington, where tulips abound and now live in the LaConner area. I was an Elementary School Educator for 28 years, a graduate of Western Washington State University with a BA in Art. I am inspired every day by the beauty all around me.

My beadwork is dedicated to my dear Mother who instilled in me at an early age, the value of a job well done. She was a perfectionist, which I thought harsh as a child, but have come to appreciate her high expectations in my work today. Creating beautiful pieces in beads has been my comfort and my way of honoring her memory.

My work utilizes natural elements: shell, stone, feather, wood. I am in constant search of vintage buttons, beads, fabric, and costume jewelry. From these collections I create one-of-a-kind ornate embroidered cuffs and neckpieces as well as mixed media collages on canvas. My jewelry pieces are original heirloom quality Art Pieces, intended to be worn, displayed, viewed and eventually passed down from generation to generation.”

Jane received the First Prize & Best of Show in her first juried art exhibit for the City of Lynnwood, WA Arts Commission. Her work has also been used theatrically for the Theater Arts Guild presentation of Aida where she had a one artist show at McIntyre Hall at Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon.