About Jann French

I have worked as a film editor, potter, sculptor, carpenter, teacher, painter and decorator, cleaner, SCUBA instructor, arts administrator, events organiser, manager and book-keeper.  I have volunteered on committees, at co-ops, music festivals and organic farms.  Born in England, I've also lived in South Africa and Australia.

I feel best when I live as close to natural as possible.  I like my food raw, organic and unprocessed.  Feet: flat on the ground.  I love the far away great outdoors as well as the abundance of culture in sophisticated cities.  I'm happy alone or surrounded by lovely people.  I've sailed the South Atlantic, safari-ed in Africa.  Had 'proper' jobs and simple ones.  I enjoy variety and contrast because it’s interesting and enlightening.  I am in awe of how perfectly clever and unique life, nature and the planet is.  Nature to me is God - the most amazing thing; that I feel strongly about preserving for all the noble reasons and because it really is just so groovy.  Ho yes... I admit to being a bit of a clumsy idealist with a high value system.

I have trained in art from my earliest infant school days.  I can paint and draw very well but my real gifts lie with things 3-dimensional.  Therefore first and foremost I consider myself a maker despite also being an admin queen - all artists need a day job sometimes.  Traditional crafts and trades blow my hair back.  I swoon at things well made.  Especially the hand made, well made as it can radiate so much more than the mass produced: more charm, heart, strength, usefulness, quality, intelligence, beauty, individuality, rough edges, maker’s marks… etc.  I find such things more lovely and, more importantly, more comfortable to live with. 

Latest goals: in lieu of being able to save the world immediately… making friends with pink; getting my sleeping bag clean, finding love and 'home'.

 


Qualifications


Sep 95 - Jul 98              University of Westminster: UK (one semester at Betzalel, Jerusalem)
                                          BA (Hons) Workshop Ceramics (First class pass)

Aug 90                             PADI Medic First Aid Instructor: UK

Aug 89                             PADI Scuba Instructor: UK

Jan 79 - Dec 80             The Johannesburg High School for Art, Ballet and Music: South Africa
                                          Matric in English, Afrikaans, Art, Biology, Sculpture, Painting

Employment History


Currently                         Self Employed Artisan

Sept 06 - Feb 09  Volunteering, Travelling and Making Moccasins  

Jan 08 - May 08              WWOOF (Willing Workers on Organic Farms) volunteer: Queensland & New South Wales

Dec 07 - Jan 08              Assistant Market Stalls Administration/‘Bump-in’ Officer: Woodford Folk Festival: Queensland

Sep 06 - date                  Shop & Administrative Volunteer: Alfalfa House, Organic Food Co-Operative: Sydney


Feb 81 - Apr 08    Paid Work:

Sep 06 - Nov 06             Temporary bookkeeper: Alfalfa House, Organic Food Co-Operative: Sydney

Jul 99 - Apr 08                Teacher (2nd job): of Pottery, Firing, Basket Weaving, Bookbinding

Oct 00 - Sep 06              Centre Manager: Centrehouse Community Art and Leisure Learning Centre: Sydney

Apr 99 - Oct 00                Administrative Assistant: Australia Council for the Arts: Sydney

Jan 95 - May 95              Sound Editor: Photoplay Productions: London

Sep 89 - Mar 93              PADI Scuba Instructor (Casual, in spare time)

Sep 89 - Apr 93               Assistant Film Editor/Sound Editor: BBC: London

Feb 87 - Dec 88              Proprietor/Film Editor: French Post Productions CC: Johannesburg

Jun 81 - Feb 87               Film Editor: James Garrett and Partners: Johannesburg

Feb 81 - May 81              Stencilling Artist: Buffalo Sign Company (screen printers): Johannesburg


Other Interests


Art, design, fashion, music, architecture, fun, film, science, nature, sustainability, ethics, organics, yoga, Pilates, Vipassana meditation, raw food, walking, camping, sailing, snorkelling, exploring, reading, knitting, crochet, sewing.

Main Awards


May 06                             Sydney Teapot Show, Honourable Mention

Sep 98                            Citizenship Award, Lane Cove Council, Sydney

April 94                           The RMJM Art for Building Award for Ceramic Sculpture, London

Sep 02                            Frances Martin Award for Sculpture, London


Maker's Marks


        








All photographs, and content of this website ©1997 - 2011 Jann French