Jeanette has always been interested in the Visual Arts and enjoyed working in clay and fibre, textiles and drawing media
Jeanette started work in advertising at the age of seventeen as an illustrator for the Herald Sun and worked for advertising agencies Alexander Moulton and Clemengers for five years.
Her qualifications include a Certificate in Illustration, a Diploma in Graphic Design, a Diploma in Ceramics and a Diploma of Education and she taught ceramics, drawing and visual communication and design at Eltham High School levels 7-12 for 30 years.
In 1986 Jeanette was awarded a teacher exchange to Pennsylvania, USA for a year. It was here that she was introduced to many basket-weaving techniques including melon, egg, potato and heart-shaped baskets.
On her return to Australia in 1987, she joined the Basket Makers of Victoria and enjoys weaving with this wonderful group.
Jeanette loves working with natural fibres like cornhusk, chasmanthe, ivy, pea flower vine, grape vine, lavender, pine needles and New Zealand flax. All of which she collects from her garden She enjoys stitching baskets as well as weaving over a frame.
Jeanette prefers working with textiles, ceramics, jewellery, drawing and watercolour. Textile work includes spinning, weaving, tie-dye and batik. Some of the jewellery Jeanette produces is made from clay and is fired at home in her kiln. The rest is created from beads and silver designs. She has completed many scraperboard drawings and in using her skills as a water colourist to work on illustrating three children’s books
Jeanette has attended workshops with visiting basket weavers from New Zealand and the USA. She has also attended workshops, conferences and exhibited with the Victorian Ceramic Group.
Jeanette managed her own shop called Touch of Earth where she ran workshops in a variety of crafts including patchwork, calligraphy, ceramics, painting on silk, jewellery making and basket weaving. She is currently teaching Basket Weaving at Bulleen Art and Garden. Jeanette has presented her work in many exhibitions both with the Basket Makers of Victoria and the Victorian Ceramic Group. Last year she won second prize from the Cairns Post for a woven turtle she designed.
