Artist Bio

Kia ora, and thank you for visiting. Haere mai (welcome), I'm delighted to have you here.

Creating artwork is a privilege; I love the contemplative moments and, importantly, the collaborative experiences, witnessing reactions, and listening to the stories that unfold. Listening is at the core of my approach to every project, being flexible and adapting to the needs of every client while encompassing humour with humility on the path of beauty (Via Pulchritudinis).

A focus for my design work always involves design with a purpose. Incorporating: What (needs to be designed), Why (is this being designed / a goal and hopes?), Who (is this design for / target market?), and When (is the deadline / timeline?)

Ultimately creating connections through unique creations with purpose, one day and project at a time.

I began drawing as a child growing up in Aotearoa, New Zealand, and have always loved sketching with pen and pencil. Now, with over 20 years of experience, I have worked as an artist, graphic designer, and illustrator since 1999. I have collaborated globally with clients on branding, identity, labelling, garment details, packaging, signage, and merchandise projects. The media I worked/work with includes paper, canvas, fabrics, plastic, glass, wood, print, and web-based digital media. Constantly developing and learning, I am now experimenting with evolving digital media such as Creative Cloud, plus watercolour and stained glass-inspired creations.

Since 2015, my focus has shifted from clothing and products to working with education providers and non-profit work, particularly with Catholic organisations. My time in religious life as a Sister of Saint Joseph was between 2014-2024; this was a gift that influenced my spiritual and artistic journey. During this time, I led projects in design and marketing alongside pastoral care, contributing to initiatives in both Australia and New Zealand. Notably, I spent three years at MSJ Milperra. And, after moving back to Aotearoa, New Zealand, in 2021, I worked as a graphic designer and illustrator for NCRS (Te Kupenga) for three years, leading the design, illustration, and branding for the new RE Curriculum and other documents for NCRS. Now, I am now studying full-time (Feb-Nov) towards a degree in counselling, and I hope to combine these skills in the future.

I am grateful for and have been influenced through all my experiences through the years. Moving forward, I am particularly interested in continuing to work with schools, education, and non-profit organisations, plus products. Collaborating to create designs with a purpose, telling stories from yesterday, today, and into the future through community, where, importantly, all are welcome.

Shalom

~ Jane

"Our creativity can thus only be an outcome of communion: it is not so much the achievement of a great individual genius, but rather the fruit of a great friendship. In other words, it is the fruit of love. As Christian communicators we are called to bear witness to a style of communication that is not just based on the individual, but on a way of community-building and belonging. The best way to convey content is to put together the voices of those who love that content. Working together as a team, making space for diverse talents, backgrounds, capacities, and rhythms, co-creating beauty in a “symphonic creativity,” is actually the most beautiful witness that we are really children of God, redeemed from being concerned only with ourselves and open to an encounter with others." (68) ~ Towards Full Presence (Dicastery for Communication 2023)

"...there is a need to let the light of hope shine in that darkness, in the midst of our selfishness and indifference. Help us to glimpse the light, the beauty that saves." ~ Pope Francis Address to Artists (23 June 2023)

"This, then, is your task as poets, storytellers, filmmakers and artists: to give life, flesh and verbal expression to all that humanity experiences, feels, dreams and endures, thus creating harmony and beauty. This “evangelical” task also helps us come to a deeper understanding of God, as the great poet of humanity. Will they criticize you? Fine, bear the burden of criticism, but also strive to learn something from it. Yet never stop being original and creative. Never lose the wonder of being alive." ~ Pope Francis (27 May 2023)