Bio:

Jill McDougall is a collage and mixed media artist based in Anacortes, Washington. an island town in the Puget Sound. Her layered artwork is influenced by elements of nature; architecture, and history.

McDougall deconstructs everyday images and reconstructs them into layered, dreamlike compositions using vintage papers, photography, paint, and found fragments. Her daily walks through old growth forest, along the coast, and down familiar streets fuel a constant practice of observation and noticing.

Her work has been featured in juried shows and is held in private collections. She also writes about art and creativity through her publication Collage of Musings, and hosts interviews and conversations with fellow collage artists.

Artist Statement:

“I’ve always been fascinated with what lies beneath the surface. As an empath, I notice the nuance and small details in everyday situations. My art has always been a way for me to express what I feel deeply as I process my observations and experiences.

I capture moods, memories and moments, deconstructing ordinary images and combining them in unexpected, dreamlike ways. Working with a variety of mixed media materials allows me to explore endless possibilities.

My artwork is influenced by the time I spend outdoors, observing nature and details of architecture. I take daily walks in the forest, in town, or along the coast to observe the interplay of light, color, shadows and shapes. I’m always taking photos- a simple errand often turns into snapping photos of the way the light is hitting the side of a building, or the shape of a cloud.

In our increasingly fast-paced world, my work offers moments of calm, curiosity, and reflection.”