The Artist - Jill Alexander

I am a visual artist creating and living in Ottawa Canada, with my husband, 2 sons and 3 cats! I am a self taught artist with a God given gift, of which I am very proud and thankful for. Although, I did enjoy one very blissful year of formal art education . Graduating with honours from the Commerce Art Program while receiving the Illustration Award and the Visual Art Award.

I began creating as a very young child. My love of artistic expression has continued through a wide variety of artistic and imaginative areas. Pottery wheel throwing, stain glass work, and owner and instructor of 3 businesses in cake decorating, floral design and window painting/wall murals provided the background upon which I built my passion.

In addition, several years as a Michaels Arts and Crafts Superstore class co-ordinator whose primary job was to work with the vast array of products, demonstrate and teach rounded out my own unique and custom made education. The result of this combination has guided and directed me to my most fulfilling passion of painting.

My transformation to professional artist began in 2001 and developed quickly. Juried into 2 City of Ottawa Galleries, Kanata Civic Art Gallery, the Foyer Gallery and Art Lending of Ottawa allows me to display my work on a continuous basis in group and solo shows.

My work is diverse in subject matter, style and technique, my love of vibrant colour however remains consistent throughout. Subject choice revolves around the calendar , “Flowers with Attitude” are my focal point when impatient for warmth, colour and new life in nature. The combination of vivid colour combinations, sensous shapes and an extreme close up perspective on oversize canvases fulfills this need. In particular, my love of painting tulips led to working as an official artist with The Canadian Tulip Festival. During the 2 weeks of tulip glory, I enjoy painting among the sea of dazzling tulips and happy tourists!

Transforming into an enthusiastic hockey mom was a strong influence resulting in distinctly Canadian hockey and figure skating scenes. Described as joyfully whimsical , there never ceases to be more to discover in the intricate details. This led to a collaboration with the Ottawa 67's Hockey Club as Official Artist for over 3 years.

I draw inspiration from intuition, spiritual direction and personal life experience. A specific design symbol of swirls holds a fascination for me. It can be found incorporated into painting designs, my logo and extends to my jewellery and home decor. I seem compelled to work swirls into my abstracts. My " Path to Paradise" series most exemplifies who and where I am at this point in my life. A joyful semi abstract combination with a floral theme.The significance of the swirl represents an exciting spiritual transformational process which began when I committed to life as a full time artist! Unmistakeable signs of guidance have presented as if on cue as I travel my path, paying close attention to the opportunities designed specifically for me. I listen and learn from the most amazing group of like minded individuals who have shown up along my way and in turn I do the same for those I meet.

Soon, I will realize my dream of living full time in Castleford on the beautiful Ottawa River. I am on a mission to design our own castle with my ultimate art studio overlooking the sparkly water. On the spiritually uplifting site of my “happy” place, our family cottage. The combination of water sparkles, sunrises, sunsets, tranquil clouds and a night sky full of twinkling stars is good for the soul and provides the endless creative inspiration I crave!

Education

• 1978 Commerce Art Program, Winner of Visual Art Award & Illustration Award
• 1997 Certified Framers Diploma

Official Artist

• Canadian Tulip Festival since 2002
• Ottawa 67's Hockey Club since 2005

Juried Artist

• Kanata Civic Art Gallery since 2004
• Kanata Theatre since 2004
• Foyer Gallery since 2005
• Art Lending of Ottawa since 2005
• Ottawa Fine Art Festival 2007
• Parkdale Gallery 2007
• Nepean Sportsplex Christmas Show 2003

Awards

• Ottawa Orchid Society 2006. BEST IN SHOW & 1 st . Place in Oil & Acrylic
• Ottawa Orchid Society 2007 ~ Honourable Mention
• K.A.C. Juried Art Show 2007 ~ Honourable Mention

Media Coverage

• TV
  • Regional Contact “Blooming Artist” CTV Ottawa 2005. Click HERE to view the feature.
  • The A Channel Artist Interview 2008
• Magazines
  • Ottawa Life “Seasonal Explosion of Colour”2007
  • Parkhurst Exchange “From Adversity to Creativity” 2005
  • Ottawa 67's Ice Time 2006, 2007
• Radio
  • CBC Radio Interview from Ottawa 67's Civic Centre 2007. Click HERE to listen the interview.
• Newspaper
  • Ottawa Citizen 2000, 2002,2003, 2005, 2007, 2008
  • Nepean This Week 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
  • Nepean Weekender 2006
  • Nepean /Barrhaven/Ottawa West EMC 2008
  • Kanata Kourier Standard 2004, 2006
  • Barrhaven Independent 2006, 2008
  • Barrhaven This Week 2008
  • Barrhaven/Manotick Cityview 2006
  • Due West 2008

Solo Exhibits

• Nepean Creative Art Centre 2007
• Foyer Gallery 2007, 2008
• Irene's Pub, Bank Street 2007
• Civic Centre, Lansdowne Park since 2005
• Cedarhill Golf & Country Club 2006
• Barrhaven- Legion 2008/Steamers Coffee 2006
• Brittania Chiropratric Clinic 2007-2008
• Sports & Spinal Injury Clinic 2008
• Pelvic Support Physio Clinic 2008

Group Exhibits

• Art Credo 2007,2008
• Canadian Tulip Festival Art Gallery 2005-2008
• Ottawa Little Theatre, Ottawa Art Association 2004-2006
• Centrepointe Gallery &Theatre, Nepean Fine Art League 2004-2007
• Ottawa Orchid Society 2006, 2007
• St. Isidore Art Show, Kanata Art Club 2004-2008