Jane Wolters, Vancouver Island Potter

Profile of an Artist

Born in England, Jane has lived on Vancouver Island most of her life. She has been a professional potter for over 30 years, working mainly in stoneware and porcelain. She finds the tactile quality of clay and the act of throwing on the wheel irresistibly seductive. The vessel form appeals to her as the ultimate in abstraction; its parts are even named after the body: lip, neck, shoulder, belly, foot.

Although technically "self-taught", never having gone to art school, she did take wheel-throwing lessons in the beginning, and since then she’s been fortunate to have attended many valuable workshops with outstanding potters from all over the world, and has taken courses in various subjects including portrait sculpture.

About 10 years ago she began learning to paint in oils in an effort to find a creative outlet that was not so physically demanding. In the process she has learned a great deal of art theory, history, and design. Oil on canvas is currently her favourite painting medium; the sensuous feel of the paint coming off the brush onto the canvas, the way the paint smells, the look of the thick oil paint building up on the surface, all feel right.

"I feel incredibly lucky to be an artist. There are always new ideas, new paths to travel along, and there are never enough hours in the day to explore them."

Learn more about Jane Wolters at www.janewolters.com