Artist Profile

Biography

Born and raised in rural Canterbury, Jillian enjoyed drawing and painting from early childhood. She initially trained as a primary school teacher, becoming a specialist art teacher in primary schools. A Developing Artist grant enabled her to attend workshops with NZ Artist and teacher Allie Eagle and to spend time in her atelier in Waikanae. Returning to Christchurch in 2011, Jillian now paints from her home studio, and is part of the growing community of artists at the Old School / Te Kura Tawhito, in New Brighton. She is currently undergoing more formal training, studying at Ilam School of Fine Arts.
A constant in Jillian’s work is her connection with the landscape, particularly the wide open skies of her South Canterbury childhood. She is drawn to the horizon, that line where earth meets sky, using a reduced colour pallet combined with the parred-back landscape aiming to create a nostalgic feeling, a memory, a dream; inviting the viewer into the painting to contribute from their own memory or imagination.
“The meditative qualities of Jillian’s work… has the effect of making one step back and reconsider what is usually a very visual and colourful environment…The stillness and silence permeate these works, giving space and time to ponder the given…to wonder what lies beyond.”