Jan Evans

Having taught City & Guilds Embroidery at the Gloucestershire College of Arts and Technology for 8 years I am now a freelance tutor and textile artist. I offer 1 day and 2 day workshops for branches of the Embroiderers' Guild and privately run textile groups as well as classes in my own studio.

I am an exhibiting member of the Rubicon Group and Group Purple. As well as exhibiting and selling work in local galleries I belong to the Forest Artists Network, taking part in their exhibitions and Open Studios events.

The landscape, history and folklore of the Forest of Dean have greatly influenced recent work. A successful solo exhibition took place at the Dean Heritage Centre, Soudley, Glos. during the winter of 2001-2002.

My sketchbooks of drawing, paintings and design work represent a personal exploration of ideas which lead into experimentation and sampling, a process I find most enjoyable. I favour the use of fabrics such as calico, scrim, muslins and felt for their natural qualities.

Locally mixed ochres influence my palette, combining well with my current interest in surface texture, pattern and the use of mixed media. I love contemplative hand stitching with its potential for texture and infinite range of marks; however, the immediacy and linear quality of machine embroidery suits my current style.

Workshops

The Rough and the Smooth
Creating and contrasting a variety of textured surfaces, including the use of earths and ochres.

Winter Landscapes
Developing ways of capturing light, mood and texture with a limited colour palette

Veils of Colour
Exploring transparency in paint and fabric, also the symbolism of colour

Faded Frescoes
Combining experimental pulled work on find scrim with painting, printing and layering

Jan Evans

Off the Wall lll
Wall container. 40cms Felt, calico, scrim and paper with acrylic gesso and ochres. Machine embroidery.
Closer view