Jill works in watercolour, acrylic, ink and pastel. Now based in Hervey Bay,
Jill lived in northern Australia for many years, working with Indigenous people, where the vast landscapes of saturated colour and light, and the Indigenous peoples’ view of life, inspired her. In Jill’s art she expresses themes such as:
"The earth is a living being that connects, protects and nurtures all life on the planet. An understanding of this sustaining, nurturing energy could change the world. Without greed there is plenty for all. We are all connected, we can live in harmony". (Jill Byrnes 2024)
Jill finds shapes and flows in the natural environment fascinating, and uses semi-abstraction to explore and express this. Environment and social issues are a theme in her art at times. She enjoys abstract expressionism because of the ability to use pure colour, shape and line to explore a theme.
Jill holds a Certificate in Art and Design from Kimberley TAFE (1996).
Awards:
• Hervey Bay Art Society Annual Open Competitive Art Exhibition, Gatakers Artspace, 2023, Highly Commended.
• Hervey Bay Art Society Annual Open Competitive Art Exhibition, Gatakers Artspace, 2021, Commended.
• Various ‘emerging artist’ awards, Gallery 5, Hervey Bay Art Society.
Recent exhibitions include:
• Solo exhibition at the ‘Treehouse’ (Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre), May - June 2024.
• Hervey Bay Multicultural Festival art exhibition, 2024.
• ‘Homelessness’ art exhibition, Regional Housing, Hervey Bay, August 2024
• Numerous group exhibitions including:
◦ Gallery 5, Urangan, Reconciliation Exhibition May 2024
◦ HBAS Annual Competitive Exhibition at Hervey Bay Regional Gallery, 2024.
◦ HBAS Annual Competitive Exhibitions at Gatakers Artspace, Maryborough, 2021-2023.
◦ Bundaberg Art Prize 2024.
Volunteer work at Hervey Bay Art Society in a variety of roles.
Undertaken art workshops with:
Chris Postle, Karol Oakley, Pauline Adair, Jan Lawnikanis, Don Milner, Paul Barnes, Katherine Walsh, Zela Bisset.
Taught workshops:
Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre, 2024, ‘Exploring Ink’.
