Fire Flower - MIxed Media
Jill Van Sickle
Name: Jill Van Sickle
City/State: Minneapolis MN
Email: jill@jillvansickle.com
Website: http://www.jillvansickle.com/
MNartist.org profile: Jill Van Sickle
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/
Twitter: @jillvansickle
Bio~
Born in Northfield, MN and raised in the Twin Cities, Jill earned her degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis in textiles at the University of Wisconsin, River Falls. She was a resident at the Tilsner Artist Co op in St Paul for six years, and has since relocated to Minneapolis and works from her home studio. Jill currently works full time as a painter and exhibits her work online and at galleries around the Midwest.
City/State: Minneapolis MN
Email: jill@jillvansickle.com
Website: http://www.jillvansickle.com/
MNartist.org profile: Jill Van Sickle
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/
Twitter: @jillvansickle
Bio~
Born in Northfield, MN and raised in the Twin Cities, Jill earned her degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis in textiles at the University of Wisconsin, River Falls. She was a resident at the Tilsner Artist Co op in St Paul for six years, and has since relocated to Minneapolis and works from her home studio. Jill currently works full time as a painter and exhibits her work online and at galleries around the Midwest.
Garden Splash - Mixed Media
Tell me about your work? What are you currently working on? How is this different from past projects?
Without a lot of warning, my work has recently taken a turn towards the abstract. Traditionally I tend to paint images that are botanical in nature with abstract tendencies. These new pieces are looser, bolder, and maybe a bit more challenging to the eye. Undoubtedly I will return to botanicals, but for now this has been an exciting change.
Why will you undoubtedly return to botanicals?
I know a lot of artists paint botanicals, but my reasons for doing so are deeply rooted in my Dutch heritage. My grandparents immigrated to MN after WWII. They brought with them both great knowledge and love for growing things. Some of my very earliest memories are of their vast tulip beds. I'll never tire of the subject of plants.
Happy, Happy - Mixed Media
"What is Art?" is certainly too big of a question to ask here, but what do you hope your audience takes away from your art? What statement do you hope to make?
Phthalo Pond - Mixed Media
I know that it is fashionable in the art world to have some deep, seemingly profound meaning and message to one's art. Sometimes even if it takes precedent over the actual work, craft, and time put into the piece itself. That sort of work is not what I am interested in. My work is incredibly personal. I was being told at a very, very young age that I would be an artist someday. I almost resent that sometimes.
Logically I would much prefer to be genetically designed to be a lawyer or doctor, rather than an artist! So for me, I'm quite sure I'm doing what I was meant to, whether I like it or not. Hence, my work is for me, no one else. I feel very lucky buyers seem to find joy in my work as I do! It really is that simple. I find that life is scary and difficult a lot of the time. Art is a great escape for me, and I hope people who look at my work can find a minute or two of escape themselves.
What was the best advice given to you as an artist?
Don't paint what others think you should. Paint what is right for you.
Tell me about your work space and your creative process.
My work space is a hilarious disaster of splashed paint on the walls and floor, unorganized supplies and paint bottles and canvases of all sizes scattered about. There is a small tv in the corner with Star Wars DVDs sitting on top, and two dogs sleeping amongst the clutter. Though the rest of my living space is quite tidy, my creative realm is a crazy mess.
Who are some of the Minnesota artists you enjoy?
Ellen Thomson http://www.ellenart.com/
Daphnae Koop http://www.followthemuse.com/
Caitlin Karolczak http://studiosilenti.com/
Daphnae Koop http://www.followthemuse.com/
Caitlin Karolczak http://studiosilenti.com/
If I were to follow you around to see art in Minnesota, which places would we go? What would we see?
I'm more of a hermit than I like to admit, so looking at artwork, for me, is often online. Obviously MNartists.org is a good one, but I also like to visit:
Do you have any exhibits to promote in the near future?
This spring I plan to participate in Art A Whirl at the Bottling House in NE Mpls, and the Edina Art Fair, in addition to showing at local galleries. And as always, I am constantly selling online on both my website and my facebook artist page: https://www.facebook.com/
Jill Van Sickle
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