Jill began sketching animals and people at an early age. She studied portraiture in oils from an art program affiliated with the University of Illinois. After a move to South Palm Beach, Florida during high school, she found an opportunity to paint wild animals for a resort boutique and further explored oil and acrylic on canvas.

While in college at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Jill briefly sought classic portrait and “life” drawing classes with the Chatovs and pursued Foundation of Design and Color Theory at the Atlanta College of Art/Woodruff Art center.

She also supported some fundraiser auctions by offering her pet portraits and landscapes as well as receiving commissions for portraits and scenic wall murals along the way.

Jill felt the urge to experiment with a looser style for growth and flexibility - indirectly influenced by her previous profession as kitchen/appliance showroom “chef” and sales consultant. During this period she found enrichment exploring textured mediums in "mixed media" -- with a focus on branches as her subject matter.

Currently, she also enjoys capturing nature and animal studies with a lively combination of mediums in watercolor, acrylic, oil, ink and charcoal. Jill finds the artistic journey rewarding and therapeutic to the senses!