Artist Bio

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 10 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, and Carrie Waller.
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.
Artist Statement
Childhood memories, playing with the buttons in my mother’s button box, arranging and rearranging the buttons into patterns on the rug, a new box of 64 crayons, all those bright, vivid colors to explore….
All these experiences evolved into my love of pattern and design, color gradation, layering, transparency, and texture.
For several years I worked with fiber-reactive dyes in batik. Now my medium is watercolor. The layering and transparency I could achieve with the dyes translates well into watercolor, so it was a natural transition.
I work to interpret my world through my mind, my heart, and my paint and brushes. If my pieces bring pleasure to the viewer, I am grateful.
Recent
Exhibitions
June 2022
Color Visions 2022, WSI Art Auction and Sale
Saks 5th Ave. Gallery, Indianapolis, IN
May-June 2022
WSI Membership Show
2nd Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis, IN
May-June 2022
WSI Show
Whitewater Valley Arts Association, Connersville, IN
November 2021
WSI Show
Fishers Arts Council, Fisher City Hall, Fisher, IN
October 2021
Between Paper and Palette
Frankfort Library, Frankfort, IN
August 2021
Indiana Arts
Indiana State Fair, Indianapolis, IN
July 2021
Hamilton County Artists Association Exhibition, Fishers Art Council
Fishers City Hall, Fisher, IN
June 2021
Will Vawter Juried Art Exhibition & Sale
Hancock County Arts, Greenfield, IN
May-June 2021
The Healing Power of Art
Nickel Plate Arts, Noblesville, IN
May-June 2021
WSI Membership Show
2nd Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis, IN
March 2021
Award of Merit
Minnetrista’s Annual Juried Art Show & Sale, Muncie, IN
October 2020
Allen & Carole Lakoff Brady Purchase Award, 122nd Annual Juried Exhibition
Richmond Art Museum, Richmond, IN