My Artist's Statement
Any artist will tell you the end result of their craft makes the process worthwhile. The ancient Ukrainian art of Pysanka touches me that way. This passion was born and first captured my heart in 1989. Through the years, I have won numerous awards and taught countless workshops. As I watch others embrace this ancient art form, I am pleased to know that future generations will continue to be enriched with the Pysanka tradition that originated over 2100 years ago.
Traditional designs are common, but I am a modern artist and prefer creating my own. I begin with a pencil drawing on graph paper. The design is transferred to my canvas. It might be an oversized ostrich egg, goose egg or tiny quail egg. As I create designs by apply alternating layers of hot beeswax and dye, each piece becomes an expression of myself, my environment, and those I love and cherish. After the final dyes have been applied and the last coat of wax has been removed it’s often breathtaking and always gratifying. The smell of hot beeswax lingers, colorful dye stains and clutter remain, but it's all lost to me until I come up for air. I am inspired by how many variations of one design can lead to the creation of a new series. I've got another inspired design on the drawing board that needs to be started right now. Until then, my studio will remain a beautiful mess.
Traditional designs are common, but I am a modern artist and prefer creating my own. I begin with a pencil drawing on graph paper. The design is transferred to my canvas. It might be an oversized ostrich egg, goose egg or tiny quail egg. As I create designs by apply alternating layers of hot beeswax and dye, each piece becomes an expression of myself, my environment, and those I love and cherish. After the final dyes have been applied and the last coat of wax has been removed it’s often breathtaking and always gratifying. The smell of hot beeswax lingers, colorful dye stains and clutter remain, but it's all lost to me until I come up for air. I am inspired by how many variations of one design can lead to the creation of a new series. I've got another inspired design on the drawing board that needs to be started right now. Until then, my studio will remain a beautiful mess.
Jane Chevalier
The Artist
Jane Chevalier has been an egg artist since 1987. She began teaching this art in 2006. After moving to New Mexico in 2009, she decided to take herself as an artist more seriously. Jane's designs range from Ukrainian traditional to art deco. Each egg is unique. Her designs are usually not duplicated, with the exception of Christmas and Valentine designs due to the demand.
Her specialty is creating designs with a Southwest flare. Jane was born and raised in Michigan. As a child her family often spent summers in Arizona. Since then she has had an interest in the Native American people, art and culture. Jane later learned of her maternal Native American heritage. Drawing inspiration from that heritage and the beauty of the Southwest, some of her original designs resemble pottery, rug designs, fetishes and bead work.
A recent addition to Beautiful Eggs by Jane, "Egg Jewelry Collection", is quickly gaining popularity. Jane uses Quail, Parakeet and Cockatiel eggs for pendants and Parakeet and Love Bird eggs for earrings. Jane entered one of her quail egg and earring sets in the 2012 Belen Art League Spring Art Show and received "Third Place" in the 2-D Professional Category/Jewelry.
Also new to Beautiful Eggs by Jane is the "Tiny Egg Collection". Jane entered her first Miniature Art Show in 2011. One of her Quail egg entries received "Best of Show". Jane has entered her tiny eggs in several shows and continues to receive awards for her designs and attention to detail.
Group and individual instruction is available. Special orders are welcome.
Awards (this page is not up to date)
New Mexico Galleries and Juried Events
Jane's Comments:
My heritage is French, Irish and Native American. My father's parents and grandparents came to America from Quebec, Canada. His mother always had something in her hands to crochet, knit, tat, embroider or stitch. She kept the ancient arts of her grandmother alive. My Native American heritage comes from my mother's side. My fourth great grandmother was of the Delaware Tribe. Since childhood I have been drawn to the Native cultures and art of the Southwest. When I learned of my Native heritage many questions were answered and odd pieces of the puzzle finally fit together. Moving to New Mexico felt like coming home after a long journey.
Why do I make Ukrainian egg art? I want to keep the ancient art of Pysanky alive and because I love it so much. Teaching this art is so enjoyable. We have so much fun in the workshops. Eggs come in many sizes and variations in shape. My Tiny Egg Collection is truly a labor of love. Tiny eggs are very difficult to work with. Designs are only limited to one's imagination. It is challenging to fit a design on an object that is usually narrow on one end and wider on the other. The middle can be slightly flat on one side and slightly bowed on the other. The trick is to let the egg tell me what design works best for that egg. I strive to be the best egg artist I can be. I cannot obtain perfection but I can achieve excellence.
Her specialty is creating designs with a Southwest flare. Jane was born and raised in Michigan. As a child her family often spent summers in Arizona. Since then she has had an interest in the Native American people, art and culture. Jane later learned of her maternal Native American heritage. Drawing inspiration from that heritage and the beauty of the Southwest, some of her original designs resemble pottery, rug designs, fetishes and bead work.
A recent addition to Beautiful Eggs by Jane, "Egg Jewelry Collection", is quickly gaining popularity. Jane uses Quail, Parakeet and Cockatiel eggs for pendants and Parakeet and Love Bird eggs for earrings. Jane entered one of her quail egg and earring sets in the 2012 Belen Art League Spring Art Show and received "Third Place" in the 2-D Professional Category/Jewelry.
Also new to Beautiful Eggs by Jane is the "Tiny Egg Collection". Jane entered her first Miniature Art Show in 2011. One of her Quail egg entries received "Best of Show". Jane has entered her tiny eggs in several shows and continues to receive awards for her designs and attention to detail.
Group and individual instruction is available. Special orders are welcome.
Awards (this page is not up to date)
- Best of Show, Belen Art League Fall Show 2014
- First Place, Sculpture, First Place, Belen Art League Fall Show 2014
- First Place, Mixed Media, Belen Art League Fall Show 2014
- Third Place, Mixed Media, Belen Art League Fall Show 2014
- First Place, Jewelry, Belen Art League Fall Show 2014
- Second Place, Jewelry, Belen Art League Fall Show 2014
- Judge's Choice, Mixed Media, Belen Art League Spring Show 2014
- First Place, Mixed Media, Belen Art League Spring Show 2014
- First Place, Jewelry, Belen Art League Spring Show 2014
- Second Place, Mixed Media, Master Works of NM Fine Art Miniature Show 2014
- First Place Mixed Media, Los Lunas Museum of Art and Heritage Juried Art Show 2013
- First Place Professional Jewelry, Belen Art League Fall Show 2013
- First Place Professional Sculpture, Belen Art League Fall Show 2013
- First Place 3-D Professional Mixed Media, Belen Art League Fall Show 2013
- Sponsor Award 3-D Mixed Media, RFAL International Juried Art Show 2013
- Second Place, Sculpture, Master Works of NM Fine Art Miniature Show 2013
- First Place Professional Jewelry, Belen Art League Fall Show 2012
- First Place Professional Miniature, Belen Art League Fall Show 2012
- Second Place 3-D Professional Mixed Media, Belen Art League Fall Show 2012
- Award of Distinction for Three-Dimensional, RFAL International Juried Art Show 2012
- First Place 3-D Professional Miniature, Belen Art League Spring Show 2012
- First Place 3-D Professional Mixed Media, Belen Art League Spring Show 2012
- Third Place 3-D Professional Jewelry, Belen Art League Spring Show 2012
- Cathy P. Scott Award for Excellence in Detail, Master Works of N.M., Miniature Fine Art Show 2012
- Third Place 3-D Master Works of N.M, Miniature Fine Art Show 2012
- Best of Show 3-D Professional Mixed Media, Belen Art League Miniature and Small Art Show 2012
- First Place 3-D Professional Mixed Media, Belen Art League Fall Show 2011
- Honorable Mention Sunflower Festival 2011
- First Place 3-D Professional Mixed Media, Belen Art League Spring Show 2011
- Second Place 3-D Professional Mixed Media, Belen Art League Spring Show 2011
- Third Place 3-D Professional Mixed Media, Belen Art League Spring Show 2011
- Best of Show 3-D Professional Mixed Media, Belen Art League Miniature and Small Art Show 2011
- First Place 3-D Professional Mixed Media, Belen Art League Fall Show 2010
New Mexico Galleries and Juried Events
- Vertu Fine Art Gallery, Socorro 2012, 2013,02014
- Alamo Gallery, Socorro 2010-2012
- Albuquerque Centennial Summerfest 2012
- Albuquerque Folk Festival 2012, 2013, 2014
- Belen Art League, Belen 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
- Cibola Art Gallery, Mountainair 2012, 2013
- Double Six Gallery, Cibola Council for the Arts, Grants 2012, 2013, 2014
- Festival of the Cranes Fine Art Show, New Mexico 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
- Master Works of New Mexico, Albuquerque 2012, 2013, 2014
- New Mexico Showcase, 516 Gallery, Albuquerque 2012
- New Mexico State Fair Fine Art Competition, Albuquerque 2011, 2012
- Outsiders Art Gallery, Old Town Albuquerque 2010, 2011, 2012
- Sunflower Festival Juried Art Show, Mountainair 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014
- Tome Art Gallery, Tome 2010, 2011
Jane's Comments:
My heritage is French, Irish and Native American. My father's parents and grandparents came to America from Quebec, Canada. His mother always had something in her hands to crochet, knit, tat, embroider or stitch. She kept the ancient arts of her grandmother alive. My Native American heritage comes from my mother's side. My fourth great grandmother was of the Delaware Tribe. Since childhood I have been drawn to the Native cultures and art of the Southwest. When I learned of my Native heritage many questions were answered and odd pieces of the puzzle finally fit together. Moving to New Mexico felt like coming home after a long journey.
Why do I make Ukrainian egg art? I want to keep the ancient art of Pysanky alive and because I love it so much. Teaching this art is so enjoyable. We have so much fun in the workshops. Eggs come in many sizes and variations in shape. My Tiny Egg Collection is truly a labor of love. Tiny eggs are very difficult to work with. Designs are only limited to one's imagination. It is challenging to fit a design on an object that is usually narrow on one end and wider on the other. The middle can be slightly flat on one side and slightly bowed on the other. The trick is to let the egg tell me what design works best for that egg. I strive to be the best egg artist I can be. I cannot obtain perfection but I can achieve excellence.
Musician, Instructor, Composer, Recording Artist
Jane Chevalier is an accomplished musician on the hammer dulcimer, mountain dulcimer, auto harp and folk harp. Talents include song writing, composing and arranging. Her two instrumental recordings, “Old But Timely” and “Dulcimer Noel” contain some of Jane’s favorite traditional and holiday melodies, respectively. She also wrote a Companion Book to her ”Old But Timely” CD.
In 1999 Jane was asked to take part in Mel Bay "Presents 2000 Hammered Dulcimer" Book and CD Set. Featuring solos by the worlds finest hammered dulcimer players! Jane submitted an original piece, “Waltz for Mimere”, and was selected to be included in the collection that is distributed world wide.
In 1999 Jane was asked to take part in Mel Bay "Presents 2000 Hammered Dulcimer" Book and CD Set. Featuring solos by the worlds finest hammered dulcimer players! Jane submitted an original piece, “Waltz for Mimere”, and was selected to be included in the collection that is distributed world wide.
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As a volunteer, Jane provides comfort music for hospice patients and their families during the last stages of life. Jane finds this to be a moving experience for her as well as the patients and their families. Her ministry is also available to the public.
Jane currently teaches in her home studio in Tierra Grande. Offerings include music for weddings, worship service, memorials/funerals and special occasions. Jane's recordings and book may be purchased by filling out a Contact Form.
Jane currently teaches in her home studio in Tierra Grande. Offerings include music for weddings, worship service, memorials/funerals and special occasions. Jane's recordings and book may be purchased by filling out a Contact Form.