About the Artist
Jill Howard was born in California. Jill formally began painting in her studio classes at St. Mary's College of California. Inspired by dance and movement, Jill incorporated colorful silhouettes into many of her paintings. Her travels to the Asia-Pacific region and time living in the Northern Marianas Islands were influential as well in terms of color and exposure to various cultures. Many of her paintings were completed after her return back to the San Francisco Bay Area reflecting upon her experiences. Jill attributes most of the subject matter to her imagination and expression of feeling. Known for a variety of styles, her work shows commonality in movement, loose brush strokes, and colorful expression. Email: jill.howard925[at]gmail.com
Photo Credit: Leonardo Marchis
An Artist’s Canvas
by Jill Howard
When I paint I am capturing moments in time, whether they be viewed with my eyes, sensed by my physical body, or felt in my heart and spirit. Often it is like two people communing with one another, only it’s me and the canvas. It becomes less of an object and I have a connection with the canvas and I’m grateful it’s there for me to impress something of myself on its surface.
Time could be looking back, as in longing for a person, a place or state of mind, and trying to create something of remembrance to feel that joy again, rest briefly in a state of peace, or even to process grief and anguish. Being in the present while painting often is very healing as it shuts out the immense amount of sensory inputs, external data, and slows the ions of thought bouncing around my mind. Once in a while if I’m lucky and trust my intuition a foreshadowing painting will emerge ever so nonchalantly until one day in the future I look back and it all makes sense.
2024 Solo Exhibition, ‘An Artist’s Canvas’, International Art Museum of America, San Francisco, CA
World Art Day
by Jill Howard
I was especially interested in World Art Day this year as I was reminiscing about some previous travels and specifically the artists, artisans, and craftsmen I was fortunate to meet along the way.
One of my most indelible memories was making my way through the mountain rice terrace regions of Banaue, Batad, and Sagada in the Philippines with a travel companion. Some town members guided us to a local artist’s home. His wife greeted us at the door and invited us in. Soon after his son and a lively dog with a wagging tail joined us in the room. His wife explained to us her husband was healing from a stroke, couldn’t speak comfortably but would listen, and he could only visit for a while.
I remember him walking in the room and stoically sitting down to sign some photographs that we had chosen to purchase. There seemed to be something very special about him and I enjoyed being in his presence. As we left the family home, I looked back and waived. I was moved and shed some tears and said to my friend, ‘that was very special’, and uttered something about we wouldn’t see him again. Later I found out his name was Eduardo Masferre, and his works had been shown in the Smithsonian.
Some time (maybe months or a year) had gone by and one night I had a dream that I saw him again. Only this time he was walking and talking very freely without any physical constraints and smiling. I remember searching online for him and found that he had passed away. I was happy his spirit was free and then felt peace about my dream. Since that day, whenever I hear of someone crossing over, my memory of that dream comforts me greatly for all of us and how we are connected and our spirit has a place to go.
2024 Spring Primavera, Blackhawk Plaza, Danville, CA
2024 John Muir Health Gallery, Walnut Creek, CA
An Artist’s Canvas, acrylic on canvas, 16 x 20”