Jill Whalen
Being in nature has always been a source of comfort and inspiration for me. I grew up in North Carolina, making regular visits to our mountains and beaches throughout my life, and taking every opportunity to immerse myself in the natural world. I feel incredibly fortunate to be living here in Western North Carolina now, and to have such a wide variety of plant and animal species, especially birds, living in our woods. When I make art, I try to capture how I feel when I encounter something wild—that whimsical feeling that, for me, is like finding a hidden treasure. I sometimes paint exotic animals, but often base my art on creatures living in our own backyards.
I am currently experimenting with different techniques using acrylic paints on both wood and canvas. My backgrounds are created using everyday materials like paper and sponges. I really enjoy playing with colors and textures to give the impression of fabric in my paintings.
