Jane Michalski
Biography
Jane Michalski explores the versatile medium of encaustic incorporating silk screen elements, ink
jet prints and using personal photographs as sources for abstraction. A working artist and resident
of Chicago for many years, she often returns to her native state of Wisconsin. Her creative energy is
fueled by the presence of Lake Michigan and her love for the natural world.
Jane has exhibited in the Chicago area, and in regional and national exhibitions. Her paintings are
included in many private collections and have received several awards. She has received grants
from the City of Chicago and the Illinois Arts Council.
In addition to her studio work as an artist, Jane is active in Chicago’s Logan Square Community and
is a former board member of the Logan Square Chamber of the Arts. She has produced and curated
exhibitions for The Hairpin Arts Center. Currently, she is president of FUSEDChicago an
organization for artists working in the medium of encaustic. Her education includes a BFA from the
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and an MA degree from the University of Illinois.
Artist Statement
I use personal photographs as source material for my work and explore the play between abstraction and representation. Using silkscreen offers a way to incorporate linear elements from the photos over a wide area of the painting. It also gives me a vocabulary that ties the content of different works together. I love being able to do free form combinations of silkscreen elements both under and over the surface of the painting. I usually start a painting by adding the silkscreen in gesso on the panel, knowing that it will be partially covered. What I put down gives me something to respond to. I have also used embedded photographs on rice paper as part of my design. After completing the painting with encaustic, I add the silkscreen as the final layer. The translucent qualities of encaustic are emphasized by using these techniques.
Instagram @jane.michalski