JILL MCLEAN

Abstract Expressionist Painter

There is one central element which sums up my work … Love.

For the rest of my days, I will attempt to reflect it accurately in my process, intent, creative understanding, and internal vision. Love fascinates me in how it is a universal, unchanging reality. And yet … it pursues us in an organic way, transforming everything it comes near in proximity, sight, thought, word, and action.

Love is also very rich and full. My process utilizes many layers to give this a voice, each with their own properties and results to form the whole. Washes, graphite marks, line, drops and drips, scribbles and globs, blending and morphing into the beautiful composition that I believe is true love.

Most of my work results in abstract, conceptual, spiritual, and inner representations without any physical or external engagements to prompt it. I also find it taking shape all around me in the concrete world through places, people, and things. In either case, my intent is to capture both light and life — which are products of love — imbued upon or inherent in my subject matter, whether it resides within my imagination or the tactile world around me.

In the end, love changes us through all of our senses. My sole purpose is to carry and share this foundational element — and the life and light it produces — in every piece of work I make.

- Jill McLean, 2023

Biography + Insights

Jill McLean is a Southern California native, born in Los Angeles and raised in the beach city of Corona del Mar. Her childhood was creative, including 12 years of piano and extensive travel which filled her with memories that now inform her paintings. Experiencing a huge range of cultures as a young girl opened her heart and mind to understanding life and people in a deep way.

​After garnering a Bachelor of Science degree in Fine Art at University of Oregon, her creative pursuits switched tracks to the visual communications industry, where she owned an independent design studio for over 27 years. Her entrepreneurial spirit translated well when the big day came -- she transformed her career into what would be a life-long endeavor as a professional artist.

“I’m a big believer that whatever our core is, no matter how far away we travel from it, at some point we cannot deny it any longer and must return to our first love. Fine art has always been my truest love of all. Now my art business and studio practice thrive in the beautiful city of Chicago. Whatever our past provides (for me, it was my graphic design business), it can be leveraged for our bigger path. Now I utilize all the wonderful things I did in my earlier years: running a business of my own, working with clients, presenting campaigns, and all that jazz. It has allowed me to continue as a professional artist without limitation. So many ideas are brewing in me for creative endeavors, and I am incredibly grateful that I get to do this every day!”

For most of her professional art career, Jill’s medium of choice has been oils on canvas. She has also rediscovered her love of paper and drawing, so there is a new direction emerging which use oil washes and chalk pastels on paper.

Jill’s work is completely faith-centric and — as she strives to share her internal sight and understanding with others — it really all comes down to creating life, being renewed and lifting up.

Curriculum Vitae

Jill’s work is held in private collections nationally.

Exhibitions + Showings

CENTERLINE 2019
Group exhibition / Zhou B Art Center, Second Floor Exhibition Space, Chicago, IL; September 20, 2019 - October 12, 2019

CENTERLINE 2018
Group exhibition / Zhou B Art Center, Second Floor Exhibition Space, Chicago, IL; August 17, 2018 - September 15, 2018

8x8 Self Portrait Exhibition
Group exhibition / 33 Contemporary Gallery, Chicago, IL; July 20, 2018 - August 11, 2018

Create Life
Solo exhibition / Curator and Solo Artist; ACS Gallery, Chicago, IL; March 16, 2018 - April 26, 2018

Artistic Impressions of Advent: A Journey of Hope
Group exhibition / Curator and Featured Artist; Holy Name Cathedral, Chicago, IL; December 2, 2017

Group Show
Ian Sherwin Gallery, Chicago, IL; November, 2016 - January, 2017

Mini-Retrospective
Solo exhibition; The Perfect Cup, Chicago, IL; November, 2015 - February, 2016

A Beautiful Heart
Group exhibition / Curator and Featured Artist; 3,500 sq. ft. Luxury Home in Elmhurst, Illinois; August 28-September 28, 2015

TRU Urban
Group exhibition / Curator and Featured Artist; TRU Lofts, Chicago; July, 2015

Breaking the Chains That Bind Me
Solo exhibition; Paul V Galvin Library Gallery (Kemper Room), IIT; Curated by SmallRoom; January 13-February 28, 2014

FAB Studios Member Show
Group exhibition; Second Floor Gallery, Fine Arts Building, Chicago, IL; October, 2013

Fall Open Studio
Second Fridays showing; Fine Arts Building, #939, Chicago, IL; 2013

Eternal
Solo exhibition; Second Floor Gallery, Fine Arts Building, Chicago, IL; April, 2013

December Fine Arts Building Gala
Holiday Open Studio showing; Fine Arts Building, #939, Chicago, IL; 2012

August Open Studio
Second Fridays showing; Fine Arts Building, #939, Chicago, IL; 2012

Collective Works
Solo exhibition; Second Floor Gallery; Fine Arts Building, Chicago, IL; May, 2012

February Open Studio
Second Fridays showing; Fine Arts Building, #939, Chicago, IL; 2012

Open Studio From the Heart
Second Fridays showing; Fine Arts Building, #928, Chicago, IL; 2007

Group Show
Group exhibition; Ossia Fine Arts Space; Fine Arts Building, Chicago, IL;
Curated by Karen Schulz-Harmon; December, 2006

Career Activity

2005 – Present
JM Fine Art; Abstract Oil Painter
Professional exploration and creation of oils on canvas, paperworks, commissioned art, watercolors and drawings (www.jillmclean.com)

1994 – Present
JCM Creative Lab; Founder and Creative Director
Full-service design studio. Editorial writing, interactive media, web, print, branding, illustration and specialty. Provision of consultation, creative direction, concept, design, production and management of vendors, budget and timelines.

Education

2014 – Present
Ongoing online research and professional workshops, webinars and videos
applicable to the business of fine art

1992 – 2014
Ongoing online training in digital media and design

1990 – 1992
Interior Designers Institute  |  Orange County, CA
A.A. in Drafting, Space planning, Interior Design

1986 – 1990
University of Oregon  |  Eugene, OR
School of Architecture and Allied Arts
Bachelor of Science in Fine Arts

1984 – 1986
Pacific University  |  Forest Grove, OR
School of Fine Arts