Artist Interview: Jillian Darville

This is the first of a series of interviews with local/regional artists I’ve had the privilege of interacting with over the past few years and I’m very excited to have Jillian Darville kick things off.

I vividly remember the first time I set foot in Jillian’s studio at Bel Air Art Center. I don’t actually remember a lot of detail about which pieces it held at the time, and I’ve been too many times now to get that right, but I remember the feel. Sparsely populated, simple, and unique, the room was a sea of white framing quite possibly the most soothing color palette I’ve ever experienced. It was light, fresh, and otherworldly. I told my husband that, if money were no object, I’d love for this girl to transform our home into something that felt that way. When I decided to interview artists, I was eager to get the chance to hear directly from Jillian about her approach to creativity. Thanks for indulging me, Jillian!

1) What mediums do you work in?

I work in watercolor paint on paper, as well as acrylic paint on canvas. I have a tighter and more detailed style with my watercolor work and a looser or more impressionistic style with acrylic paint on canvas. This isn’t always the case with these two mediums, but I’ve found that’s what’s natural for me.

2) Other than what you just talked about, do you have any other creative outlets?

I have a deep love for interior design and creating beautiful homes. I get so much of my color inspiration from interior design trends. My next home project will hopefully be purchasing a fixer-upper with my husband and making it over. The main goal I have for my artwork is for it hold sentimental value, as well as add aesthetic value in my customers' homes.

3) How did your creative journey begin and how has it evolved?

When I was a junior in high school I decided that I wanted to go to art school. I ended up going to college at Anderson University in South Carolina. I gained invaluable art skill and knowledge there with my degree in Art, focus in Painting and Drawing, and minor in Art History. After graduation I worked in my home and garage studio. The first thing that really took off was my dog portraits which I sold starting at $30. I still paint dog portraits seven years later, but now they start at $150 and my main source of income now comes from Live Wedding Paintings. I became an LLC and had an online shop from the beginning, but the first several years every penny went back to running the business, materials and supplies, and saving funds. Today I pay myself a salary while keeping the business running. It took a long time, but it just makes it that much more rewarding.

4) What motivates you to create and what does creating do for you?

I think the pursuit of beauty is what motivates me to create. I believe that God is the ultimate artist and creator, and because I’m made in his image, I have the ability to to create beautiful things too. The juxtaposition of different shapes, color, and transferring photographs to paint is full of possibilities for beauty. Beauty that can be enjoyed every time you pass a painting hanging on the wall.

5) What subject matter are you drawn to and why?

I’m drawn to subject matter that my customers find important and special. I enjoy the challenge of taking a photograph and re-creating it in a different way.

6) Who are your creative inspirations?

Some of my biggest creative role models would include: Joanna Gaines, Lulie Wallace, Teil Duncan, Emily Jeffords, Cami Monet, Inslee Fariss, and Claude Monet.

7) If you were forced to stop painting (or whatever your primary creative outlet is), how would you spend your time?

I think in another life I would have been an interior designer or home remodeler. I also dream about being a mother one day, but I see myself as always having a creative job as well.

8) If you could pursue anything you wanted without regard to time, money, or talent, what would it be?

In the last few years, I’ve come out with lots of art prints at affordable prices. I’d like to continue to grow my print series for customers to order. I love creating prints because I can make anything I want and run with it, I get to work with my best friend Caroline, who’s a graphic designer, and it’s passive income so it’s "working smarter, not harder.”

You can see more of Jillian’s work at jilliandarville.com and at the Bel Air Art Center in Rocky Mount.