BIOGRAPHY

Jill Ehlert received a Diploma of Visual Arts from the Ottawa School of Art, Ottawa, Ontario and The Victoria College of Art, Victoria, British Columbia. Her work has been shown in solo and group exhibitions in British Columbia. She has taught visual art at the Vancouver Island School of Art, private and group classes in her studio, and workshops on Vancouver Island, including the Federation of Canadian Artists and the Vancouver Island School of Art. Jill is based in Cobble Hill, BC, and her creative practice focuses on the creation of experimental works combining mixed media, drawing and collage.  Nature, organic forms and cellular structures inspire her work. 

ARTIST STATEMENT

Discovering Connections: Exploring Bisociation through Mixed Media Art

Welcome to the world of my artistic exploration. I am a mixed-media artist, proudly immersed in my studio practice amidst the picturesque landscapes of Cobble Hill, British Columbia. My creative journey revolves around the intricate interplay of drawings and collages, where complexity and depth reign supreme.

Nature's boundless wonders, the allure of the Pacific northwest tidal zone, and the elegance of organic forms and cellular structures serve as the driving force behind my artistic vision. I find inspiration in the ever-repeating cycles of metamorphosis and regeneration, witnessing the profound beauty that arises from nature's constant evolution.

One central concept that permeates my work is "bisociation" – a fascination with the interconnectedness of seemingly unrelated elements. Exploring the art of unearthing similar patterns and relationships among diverse objects fuels my artistic curiosity, paving the way for innovative and thought-provoking creations.

In my art practice, I identify as a process artist, where research, gathering, sorting, editing, and experimentation become the pillars of my creative process. This behind-the-scenes groundwork grants me the freedom to approach my paintings and drawings intuitively, infusing them with an element of spontaneous expression.

With over 35 years of specialization in the realm of experimental water-media, drawing, and collage, my artistic journey has been shaped by an extensive formal education. Graduating from both the  Ottawa School of Art in 1988 and the Victoria College of Art in 1992, I have honed my skills and nurtured my passion for the transformative power of art.

Equipped with a solid foundation in design and a profound understanding of various materials and creative techniques, I embark on a perpetual quest to push the boundaries of artistic expression. Each stroke of my brush, every layer meticulously placed, contributes to the unfolding narrative of my artistic voice.

In this artistic odyssey, I invite you to witness the beauty of connections, where unrelated elements converge to create a harmonious tapestry of expression. My mixed-media art is an invitation to explore the profound interplay between nature, imagination, and human ingenuity – an endeavor that knows no bounds.

“All things in this creation exist within you, and all things in you exist in creation; there is no border between you and the closest things, and there is no distance between you and the farthest things, and all things, from the lowest to the loftiest, from the smallest to the greatest, are within you as equal things. In one atom are found all the elements of the earth; in one motion of the mind are found the motions of all the laws of existence; in one drop of water are found the secrets of all the endless oceans; in one aspect of you are found all the aspects of existence... Your life has no end, and you shall live forevermore.” -Kahlil Gibran