A graduate of Purdue University with a bachelor of science in home economics education, Mary Jane’s passions were textiles, color, pattern, and design.  She began her art career at the Indianapolis Art Center and Sievers School of Fiber Arts on Washington Island in Wisconsin.  As a fiber artist her passions were batik and rozome (a Japanese wax resist technique on silk) as well as quilting.  Her materials were dye, wax, thread and natural fibers.   About 15 years ago she  began to paint in watercolor. Transparent dyes and watercolor work in a very similar way when applied to fabric or paper.

Mary Jane has traveled extensively both in the U.S. and abroad, taking many workshops with well-known watercolor artists to advance her skills.   These include: Susanna Winton, Joseph Fettingis, Paul George, Rodney Reveal, Judi Betts, Anne Abgott, Mary Whyte, Gerald Brommer, Chen-Kee-Ching, John Salminen, Cheryl Fausel, Karlyn Holman, Susan Webb Tregay, Alexis Levine, Dale Popovich, Kathleen Giles, Paul Jackson, Matthew Bird, Angus McEwan, Ken Call, Iain Stewart, Carrie Waller, Karen Knutsen, and Michael Holter.

Her memberships include  the Hamilton County Artists  Association, Between Paper and Palette,  Watercolor Society of Indiana,  and the Northwest Watercolor Society.  Her work has been shown in several exhibitions in Indiana, Kentucky, Florida, Wisconsin and California.