At heart, I am a maker. I love to take things that are broken and fix them; save scraps and create something new; use colours in ways that make people look twice. Experimentation, play and intuitive design are core components of my artistic practice.
I create large-scale, modern quilts that are characterized by graphic colours, unexpected fabric combinations, and freeform design. My art highlights the imperfection of the human hand through freestyle piecing. I explore the boundaries of traditional quilting by incorporating abstract patterns and improvisational techniques. Many of my creations are made with my own hand dyed and indigo linen.
I am trained in textiles, clay, metalsmithing, and painting – integrating my experience across media as I find new ways to make art. I have lived and travelled throughout southern Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America and Europe – cultural experiences which impact my design aesthetic and love of colour.
My work has been exhibited and recognized at venues including the Dairy Barn’s Quilt National; QuiltCon; the New England Quilt Museum; Fiber Arts Magazine: Excellence in Fibers XI; Visions Museum of Art; and the Schweinfurth Center’s Quilts=Art=Quilts.
I live in Massachusetts with my husband, two children, our dog and chickens.
Jennifer affirmed and encouraged each person in their own practice with genuine authenticity. She challenged us to move toward our individual visions with confidence while sharing new techniques and insights from her own creative practice. — Julia Amann
Jennifer Candon's class is like none other and is a must-take for textile artists looking to challenge themselves in improvisational composition. The class is a combination of beautifully curated content and hands-on time to create. The feedback I received from Jennifer was thoughtful, insightful, and gave me the encouragement to keep going and try hard things. — Carlee Schmidt
Jennifer's guidance and advice was thoughtful, practical and flexible. I loved listening to her going around the room, from station to station, really listening to the participants’ challenges and then, without putting her thumb on the scale for a specific fix, helping each person clear away the individual blocks and clutter to land on practical next steps. — Jenny Toomey
I have taken many workshops and Jennifer stands out as an exceptional teacher. Jennifer was able to bring the best out of each student, and I left the class feeling very encouraged. Her ability to hold the good energy of the class and keep us all engaged and supported was wonderful. — Alexandra Immel
Working with Jennifer for a week provided insights into my work that were truly groundbreaking. She has a real gift for meeting each artist where they are and providing just the right feedback to impact their work in meaningful ways. — Kathy Mcconaughy
As an instructor she was very well prepared with daily lectures, well done slides, and handouts. She was very skilled at pulling the best work from each student, recognizing our unique strengths, resulting in work that was truly our own. She was very generous with herself - being readily available for one on one consultation. — Patricia Smith
Jennifer is a gifted artist and teacher. As students we went deep into ourselves, but also supported one another. Jennifer's courses attract beginners and veterans; she has the ability to teach the craft, and perhaps more importantly, motivate her students to find their unique voice. — Katherine Faulkner
