Jean Kares is a textile media-based artist whose work focuses on surface design (dyeing, printing and embellishing a fabric surface), mixed media collage and assemblage. Patterning, shrines, and indigo dye are often prominent in her art pieces. Kares holds an MFA in Art History from the University of British Columbia specializing in China, and teaches topics in Asian art history and textile history for Simon Fraser University Continuing Studies. In addition, she teaches and practices tai chi and plays ukulele.