Jean was born in 1930 in London and had a happy childhood.
During World War 2 she was evacuated to St. Davids in South Wales, where she loved exploring the countryside. After the war, her family moved to Worthing, West Sussex.
While at Art College, she met James Stuchlik. He was also studying art and they married in 1949.
Jean and James went on to buy a house, settle down and had three children. It was when mum was in her early forties, whilst looking after the youngest, that she started painting. Her landscapes became embellished with the animals that she loved so much and she allowed herself to escape into a world of magic and imagination.
This gave birth to her career as a children’s author and illustrator, published by the Medici Society and others, she became very successful, her books being read around the world.
This culminated when Jean was 80 years old and appeared on a TV art programme called ‘Show me the Monet’. She enjoyed the whole affair and held her own with a panel of judges who were critical of everyone but were soon won over by Jean’s gentle charm.
Jean had a life filled with love and the enchantment of the characters and places she created. Her spirit lives on in her art.