THE ART OF BEING JANE HARTER: THE ACTIVE IMAGINATION OF JANE MAXWELL HARTER

Demeter by Jane Maxwell Harter

Here are some photos of Jane Maxwell Harter's work with clay which she always referred to as her "(Carl) Jungian active imagination" rather than "Art." They were both. Her mother was a magnificent professional artist in the tradition of William Blake, and Jane did not wish to compete or be thought of as a "real artist."

Jane used to write me thank-you's for "your encouragement," but she needed no encouragement. Creativity flowed from her like monsoonal rains from the Heavens.

Aardvark by Jane Maxwell Harter

If you are just joining this blog, below is the recent memorial we held for Jane at Torrey Pines Beach, and below that are some stories of who she was in my life, and how much I enjoyed knowing her (although we met when she was in her sixties, so I only caught the last part of her charmed life).

Aardvark's Nose

Dragon by Jane Maxwell Harter

Here he is again.

Capricorn Ram with Fishtail

Boy's Head by Jane Maxwell Harter

Lion by Jane Maxwell Harter

Cordelia by Jane Maxwell Harter

The Changeling by Jane Maxwell Harter

Satyr in the Garden by Jane Maxwell Harter

Jane was a believer in The Shadow we carry within. And her sculpture at times reflected her own Shadow self, as well as her beautiful inner selves. Other times, she would make an animal look like a family member! My favorite is a piece we cannot find. Jane made it one night when she could not sleep for thinking about her troubles. She sculpted a bust of an older woman, naked from the waist up whom you could only see from behind--back muscles taut and tormented face lifted up to God asking, "WHY?"