contemporary
Jill Daniels
biography
History + Education
Born in Fairbanks, Alaska, Jill has been drawing and painting from an early age. She believes her attraction to painting vast ethereal landscapes in her work harkens back to the influence of growing up within the limitless stretches of rugged wilderness that dominate the Alaskan terrain.
At age eighteen Daniels moved to Southern California to attend art college and begin her formal artistic disciplines. She received a BFA in Fine Art from Pepperdine University and to gain an international perspective on the art scene Jill lived and studied art history in Heidelberg, Germany and painting in Florence, Italy for a two year stint while traveling extensively throughout many other countries. She enhanced her formal art education at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California.
Daniels’ talent as a painter has translated into a highly successful career in illustration with entertainment companies. Her art direction and painting skills have been behind numerous productions for Warner Bros., Dreamworks, Nickelodeon, MGM and Universal, where she completed the development and execution of the PBS show, Curious George. She has since returned to Disney where she directs the animated program Phineas and Ferb.
While enjoying a successful career as a commercial artist, Jill has maintained a love of painting. “A wise mentor of mine once told me painting is about having something to say. With the Domestic Collection I give voice to my art and my passion – painting.”
Exhibitions + Publications
2011
George Billis Gallery, Culver City, CA, Art Walk exhibition
William Merrill Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA, group exhibitions
2010
AndrewShire Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, International exhibition in Art Daegu with multiple sales to Gongsan Gallery, Korea
William Merrill Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA, group exhibitions
2009
William Merrill Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA, group exhibitions
Louis Lambert Gallery, Santa Monica, CA, group exhibition and auction
2008
Publication, “Coast” magazine cover featured the painting entitled
“The Standout”
William Merrill Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA, group exhibitions
2007
William Merrill Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA, Dual exhibition, “Reflections,” with Artist James Shilaimon
2006
William Merrill Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA, group exhibitions
artist statement
The Domestic Collection- The object as a utopian proposal
It is what we all long for on vacation, that chance even if the moment is fleeting of complete peace. The opportunity to get away from it all and transcend the stresses of daily living to bask in tranquility. The Domestic Collection captures that moment. Each piece is designed to let the viewer transport themselves into another place and time.
There is a moment we create just by inhabiting the space we are in. What happens to that space after we have departed? Do the memories linger long after the time has ended? These are the questions proposed by my paintings. Can we savor the moments that make up our lives? These paintings are designed to give the viewer space. In a time when most of our lives are spent living at a frantic pace the Domestic Collection gives the observer an opportunity to reflect upon the moment that is documented in front of them. It is one crystal moment in time when all that is in front of them, is all that there is.
Home, and the objects that make up the place where we dwell. Can these basic elements of our daily existence take us beyond our mundane tasks? I pose the question that they may guide us in our earth bound life, while being a framework to transport us into a higher plane. You the viewer will find the answer.