Jillian Mayne

Jillian is a retired Graphic Designer who has made the Alberni Valley her home for more than fifteen years.  The landscape surrounding us inspires much of her work.  Her main focus is acrylic painting, but has always experimented with watercolour & mixed media while maintaining a regular drawing practice.  Life Drawing has been of consistent interest for over fifty years.

She studied Commercial Design at Sheridan School of Design and Visual Communication at Grant McEwan University, graduating with the Scholarship for Outstanding Achievement Employment as a Graphic Designer.  Jillian has also studied Portraiture with Toronto painter, Brian Smith, Expressive Painting Techniques with Ontario painter, Sheila Davis and Aquamedia Painting with California painter, Robert Burridge.

A move to Vancouver and an exhibit showcasing emerging artists at North Vancouver's Seymour Gallery led to an exciting first sale and a decision to focus on painting.  A move to Port Alberni and retirement has allowed time to paint.  Jillian was involved in the Alberni Valley Arts Council's, "Art In the Schools" initiative.  For several  years she served as Chair of the Art Rave Society of Alberni, on "Rave On the Arts", a Shaw documentary series highlighting local artists.