About Jillian

Jillian's artwork reimagines natural landscapes, plays with abstract forms and vivid colors, and incorporates texture to tell a story. Painting allows her to transform a blank canvas into something new and beautiful – whether it be an evocative rendition of a real-life subject or an intuitive reflection of something more ethereal. 

Acrylic paint is her preferred medium, paired with a wide range of brushes, palette knives, wedges, sponges, textured media and spackles, and more. A life-long learner, she enjoys exploring new techniques and constantly learning more about the artistic process. Jillian is self-taught but regularly sources knowledge from creative workshops, the local art community, and social media.

Jillian has always had a love of fine art, as far back as she can remember – largely thanks to her schools' emphasis on art appreciation and her hometown's proximity to the Art Institute of Chicago. During lunch breaks at her summer job, she would visit Monet's haystacks and Seurat's A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.

At the University of Pennsylvania, Jillian majored in communication, with an emphasis on visual communication, fine arts, and cinema studies. Her secondary focus on French language and culture gave her more opportunities to admire the European masters and visit impressionist meccas like the Musée d'Orsay.

Over time, Jillian's career trajectory has taken her more into the technical realm than visual arts. She is currently the senior portfolio manager for Duke University's centralized web team. Even in the IT department, she still always finds a way to incorporate more creativity into her roles. You can learn more about her professional path at jilliankuhn.com.

Jillian also has plenty of opportunity to integrate creativity into her home life. She is a single mother of two daughters, and they are very involved in their community. Jillian likes to recharge by spending time in nature, staying active, exploring her adopted home state of North Carolina, and taking on creative volunteer roles. She has shared her love of the arts with her children, as well.