Jill Hellman
Artist Statement
When I step into my studio, I step into possibility.
I feel a freedom and excitement to explore my materials, thoughts, ideas and emotions and connect with what is most true for me.
My work lies somewhere between what is visible in the external world, the shapes, colors and patterns I see around me, and my own internal landscape, the memories, dreams and emotions that shape me. I am influenced by what I see and what happens around me, but I allow space for deep internal processing, and I paint what I feel rather than what I see.
Each painting evolves through multiple layers of paint and collage, mark making with pastels, charcoal and graphite, and distressing the surface with a variety of tools. What I choose to cover up or allow to emerge through the layering process creates a history and eventually my story, my perspective. I know what works in relation to what I’m feeling and discovering, but much of this is unconscious. Every painting is a journey into my heart and my soul, a deep dive and a working toward honesty, acceptance and resolution.
