Artwork

Jennifer is an Ontario-based artist and shepherd with work in the UK, across Canada, and the US. She has studied at Central Technical School, the Ontario College of Art, and Sheridan College, specializing in drawing, painting, and printmaking. When she began raising sheep, Jennifer became immersed in fibre and regenerative agriculture. Working with natural and found materials, many originating on her farm, region, and travels, jennifer combines the found object with the daily and seasonal chores that take place on the farm.

 

 

curriculum vitae

Jennifer is a dynamic, engaging, and passionate advocate of heritage and handmade skills. Being on the front lines of farming, her journey has taken her into the world of sustainable, regenerative and circular thinking and practice.  Her agricultural journey, which began in the garden, progressed to raising sheep and learning about fibre, to core fibre processing and construction skills. Textiles connect us to each other through
time, space, and to the natural world we are part of.

 

History:

  • EcoWool Fibre Mill Founder  2023- Present
  • Shepherd: 2007- Present
  • Freelance Web/Graphic Designer, Social Media Consultant, & Illustrator: 09/93-2015
  • Upper Canada Fibreshed Farmer-Founder & Advocate: 2014-2020
  • Upper Credit Humane Society: Cat Care Attendant: 11/05-04/06
  • Burloak Animal Clinic: Vet Assistant: 09/92-09/93

Art Education Highlights:

  • Felting Masterclass: Pam DeGroot, Marjolien Dallinga, Gio Gaudet, Pat Riesenburger: 2013-5
  • Royal Conservatory of Music Artist Educator Foundation & Level: 1-2011-3
  • Humber College Web Design : 2010
  • Scientific and Technical Illustration: Sheridan College: 2003-2005
  • Post Secondary Art: Central Technical School: 1996-1997
  • Digital Media Studios: Web Design: 1996
  • Art Fundamentals: Sheridan College: 1994

 

Agriculture/Permaculture/Nature
Education Highlights:

  • Pasture Management, Sheep Mentorship, Sheep Shearing Beginners Course: 2014
  • Farmers Growing Farmers Business Planning: 2012
  • Variety of permaculture, farming, gardening, and naturalist workshops and courses: 2006-2015
  • Animal Care: Sheridan College: 2005-2006

 

Workshops and Speaking Engagements

Guelph Organic Conference, World
Ethical Apparel Roundtable, Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario
Conference, Ailsa Craig Arts Centre, Woodstock Fleece Festival, Ontario
Hand-spinners and Weavers Guilds across Ontario, Upper Grand District Schoolboard, Hanover Library, Durham Art Gallery, North American Shetland Sheep Association, Art of Mentoring, Permaculture teaching throughout Canada and US.

 

Exhibitions & Juried Shows: Select Shows1996- 2022

  • Chinese New Year Annual Exhibit
  • Tom Thomson Gallery, Owen Sound
  • Autumn Leaves Studio Tour, Grey County
  • Alton Mill Arts Centre Juried Shows, Caledon
  • Migration, Juried Felt Show, British Columbia
  • Pan Am Equi-Art Juried Exhibition, Dufferin Arts Council
  • Into The Woods Juried Exhibition, Quest Gallery
  • Kensington Market Art Juried Fair, Toronto
  • Wychwood Barns Art Juried Market, Toronto
  • Stitches across Time, Dufferin County Museum, Fergus
  • Year of the Horse, Wellington Artists Gallery, Fergus
  • Annual Juried Show, Wellington Artists Gallery, Fergus
  • Original Works Market, IdeaXchange, Cambridge
  • Expressions Juried Show, Guelph
  • Royal Botanical Gardens: Southern Ontario Nature & Science Illustrators
  • Eden Mills Art in Eden Studio Tour
  • Halton Hills Studio Tours, Halton Hills
  • Crawford Lake artist residency, Campbellville
  • John Sommers Juried Show, Georgetown
  • Broken Fence Art Society, Toronto
  • Juried shows, KOR Gallery, Kitchener
  • Love Juried show: Lonsdale Gallery, Toronto
  • The Best of Art in Guelph Invitational:
    Guelph
  • Cats, The School of Ideas: Welland,
    Ontario
  • Insights: Juried Art Show, Elora
  • International Juried Miniature Art Show: Woolfits, Toronto
  • Annual Juried Miniature Exhibition: Michael Gibson Gallery, London
  • Miniature Art Show: Anastasia Gallery, Oakville
  • Annual Art Show: Oakville Art Society, Oakville
  • Student Art Show: Toronto Dominion Bank,Toronto
  • Miniature Art Exhibition: Del Bello Gallery, Toronto

 

Solo Exhibitions:

  • Bookshelf Café: Guelph
  • Rust Never Sleeps: Art-In-Guelph, Guelph, Ontario

 

Board Positions:

National Farmer's Union, Upper Canada
Fibreshed