Jane went to art school after retiring early from her career as Professor of Education at the University of Bristol (she suffered a stroke). She now paints in acrylics, oils, waxes and gold leaf on handmade papers; boards and canvas. She is very aware of the historical origins of the materials she uses in some of the earliest artworks known to exist(notably the waxes; organic inks; ochres and gold leaf), and of the of the contradictions ofusing these ancient materials in contemporary (often digital) abstract paintings. It is as if these materials bring their own stories and ghost-like presences to her work.