ARTIST BIO

JILL HARRIS - ARTIST BIOGRAPHY

“I describe my art as a celebration of colours – and an expression of gratitude for my life, for nature, and experiences. Time stands still when I am painting. I am totally absorbed when there is a paintbrush in my hand.”

I was privileged to hold a major solo exhibition for the month of April 2023 at the West Gippsland Arts Centre in Warragul, Vic. My exhibition was called “Journey of Colours”, displaying pieces spanning over 36 years. This exhibition demonstrated how my style as an artist has developed and changed as it has evolved over time. I first exhibited at West Gippsland Arts Centre back in 1991, so the 2023 exhibition was like coming back full circle with my new Journey of Colours exhibition.

In November 2024 I was happy to open my home studio to the public for the weekend having been accepted to participate in Open Studios West Gippsland along with 16 other local artists. It was lovely for visitors to see the space where I create my artwork and great for me to meet so many people interested in my paintings.

Coming from a background of traditional realism in the past, Jill’s more recent works are inspired by flowers, birds/animals, and life experiences, with feelings and emotions coming through in a more free and contemporary style, larger than life images and experimental abstracts.

 As a teenager I saw it as a challenge to draw and paint to make things look real. That’s how I began learning to draw and paint. I did some study as a young adult then continued working hard to develop my art skills until I had the confidence to begin exhibiting and selling my work.

 I began exhibiting and selling my work in many art shows around Melbourne and rural Victoria in the 1980’s. I began to win various prizes for my work in some of the local and regional art shows (see list of prizes), mostly for my still life pastels. I was invited to exhibit in several exhibitions, and held a solo exhibition in 1987. (see list of exhibitions) I enjoy finding innovative non-traditional ways to exhibit my art where I can collaborate with complimentary partners – thus my solo exhibition was held in a Morwell Toyota Showroom coinciding with their wine & cheese night to launch a new model car.

In the early 1990's we moved to Canberra which became our home for 25 years. In Canberra I gained experience painting murals and trompe l’oeil as public and community art projects and some as private commissions. (See list of murals). In March 2016 we moved back to Victoria where we are enjoying our small acreage in Gippsland. I now have more time to focus on my art and am getting back into it in a serious way.

Lately I have been establishing an on-line presence through my website, and various social media. Covid lockdowns gave me more time to develop my style, learn new techniques, experiment and grow to be a stronger more accomplished and confident artist.

I hope my work brings you to you – please follow me on Facebook and Instagram.

Public Murals:

• Woden Early Childhood Centre (ACT)
• Lakeside Leisure Centre - Tuggeranong Swimming (Baby) Pool (ACT)
• Canberra Region Campaign (ACT)

Community Public Art Project Murals:

• Bus Shelter Mural (ACT)
• Christmas Scene Mural (Combined churches project) (ACT)
• Isabella Plains Neighbourhood House (ACT)

Private Commission Mural:

• Courtyard mural for private home(ACT)

Exhibitions:

• 1983 - Women artists on the Peninsula - Mornington Gallery
• 1987 - Solo exhibition - Morwell Toyota Showroom
• 1991 - West Gippsland Art Centre - Joint exhibition with brother
• 2022 – Bird Exhibition, Baw Baw Artist Alliance
• 2022 – Honour Her Online Art Auction, WomenCan fundraiser
• April 2023 – West Gippsland Arts Centre – Journey of Colours solo exhibition by Jill Harris
• November 2024 - Open Studios West Gippsland - home sunroom/studio open to public

Prizes and Awards:

• October 2024 - "Highly Commended" - Hobson's Bay Art Show (Bonnie & Clyde black cockatoo painting)
• First Prize - Yallourn North & District Lions Club Annual Art Show (1986) 
• Highly Commended - Wangaratta Art Show (1986)
• Equal First Prize, Open Section - Tuggeranong Regional Art Exhibition (ACT) – 1995
• First Prize, Still Life Painting - Royal Canberra Show (1996)
• Student Encouragement Award - Mornington Gallery

Art related Study & Qualifications:

• Studio course in Painting Drawing & Printmaking – Frankston TAFE
• Cert IV in Applied Arts - 3D Electronic Animation
• Cert IV in Advanced 3D Computer Modelling & Animation

https://www.littlebirdgippsland.com.au/