Jayne Fogarty – Fabric artist, printmaker, painter, culinary creator

If you had to describe Jayne Fogarty’s artistic output in one word, you might choose “abundant.” Her work is both prolific and full of variety. She is primarily a fabric artist, creating both functional and decorative work: wall-hangings, ocean-themed cloth dolls, dish towels, napkins, bags, aprons, flags, and baskets built of coiled, hand-dyed cotton cording and rope.

She is also a printmaker, and her lino-cut and stencilled designs decorate many of her fabric pieces. As well, she is a painter, using acrylics to express the beauty she sees around her. And she makes candles, soaps, flavoured salt and vinegars, preserves, and greeting cards.

Among all this diversity, one item has brought particular delight over the past few years, says Jayne—her flag series. These strings of printed fabric squares can be hung in the garden or across a porch to flutter in the breeze or used to liven up interiors. Her first three sets focussed on the forest, the ocean, and gardening, and she has since added boating, botanicals, and tools as themes.

“I have sold many hundreds of flags,” says Jayne. “At the beginning, I asked people to send me pictures of where the flags were hung. It’s fascinating to know where they’re going and what they look like. I think I have three in Japan now. And some in England, and all across the U.S. and Mexico, and right the way across Canada. I had to stop asking because it was too much to keep track of.”

Jayne grew up in Ontario and began making art as a young child, encouraged by her artist father. Equally, her ballet-teacher mother influenced her, and she studied and performed with the National Ballet School before moving to BC. She currently creates art full-time in her oceanfront studio, Standing Stones.

Studio: Standing Stones, 5300 Lacon, by appointment only

See Jayne’s work on Denman: At her studio (by appointment only; see above), the Craft Shop, and the Saturday Farmers Market, and often at community arts events like the Studio Tour and Craft Fair.