Among many things, I’m a middle child, I’m a peace-maker, and I love to have fun and make new friends. I’m a wife, a mom to a spunky little girl, and an artist... and I blog about it. Below you’ll find a bit about my journey, my art background, my values, and my team!

In 2007 I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where I concentrated on contemporary painting and photography. I actually learned photography with film and spent hours and hours in the darkroom developing and processing my own film and photographs. In my senior year digital photography began to take the world by storm and I transitioned to a DSLR and since then spend my editing hours in front of the computer instead of in the darkroom.

For me, photography has always been about documenting interaction and genuine emotions, the real life story for my clients. It's my art medium that allows me to connect with people in a very intimate way, in a space where many feel excited or even vulnerable, a space where I get to help uplift and show people how beautiful they are through my lens.

Painting is an entirely different experience. When i’m in my studio painting I am able to escape the world and find peace in my solitude. It’s where I don’t have to worry about anything. It how i’m reacting to the marks in front of me. The connection comes into play when my finished piece is admired by the viewer. When the viewer connects with one of my paintings I feel like we’ve made a connection… and that is a feeling I can’t even describe. So while very different media, painting and photography give me the perfect balance to stay in touch, focused, and connected.

Over the past decade, I’ve worked in studios, shown my paintings in galleries, and participated in solo shows, group shows, and fine art festivals. I met the man who was more than I dreamed, and I married him. I’ve photographed seniors, families, weddings, and recently my very own little girl! I have had my own art spaces in North Carolina and Iowa. From single to married, from North Carolina to Iowa, from wife to mom—these years have been a whirlwind of adventure and I feel so grateful for it all!

I’m currently painting and making photographs in lovely northeast Iowa. I paint from my rural farmhouse studio, and my photography takes me to locations close to the hearts of my clients.

I thank God for my family, for our blessings, for this beautiful journey we share. I thank God for all experiences, both good and tough, for the relationships developed with friends and clients, for the ability to connect with people and appreciate our differences and similarities. I’m so grateful for the chance and ability to make art, and I'm excited to share it with you.

When I'm not making artwork, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, and volunteering as a founding board member for Art in the Park fine art festival in Elkader, IA. While keeping very busy, the best job is raising my most precious creation here on the farm, my little cherub. I’m grateful for so many things, but the love of my husband and my baby girl is the greatest! I hope you'll connect with me on social media, and stay in touch by frequenting the blog, where you’ll be updated on all things art and photography - events, works in progress, photo sessions, and more!

Thank YOU again for taking the time to visit with me!
I hope to get to know you and work with you soon.

XOXO

Jillian