Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jill Zelenski. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Jill, thanks for joining us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

Absolutely, yes. I would not be my authentic, right-brained, self if I wasn’t an artist. The only thing I feel like I”m missing out on by not having a “regular” job is the respect and pay-grade. I wish creatives were valued more across the board.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m an artist. More specifically, I’m an abstract painter. I paint for the experience. I put down what feels right and then react. The outcome–a painting–is a bonus. My goal is to invite the viewer in and ignite their imagination. Give them a glimpse into my world, but inspire them to explore theirs.

I may have a composition in mind or a color palette I’m toying with, but it all comes down to how I’m feeling that day. I let go and let the lines and shapes come as they may. I love seeing them sprawl across the canvas and start to form their own personalities. By themselves they are not much, but together they create something worth investigating.

Painting is an outlet for me—a way to further explore myself and the way I relate to the world.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My mission in life is to always be evolving and to create things that motivate others to do so, too. To me, life is organized chaos. That’s why my work is abstract. I’m constantly pushing myself to dig deeper—to learn more about myself. The more I can be in tune with my emotions, the more I can understand, and hopefully help others. This is the foundation of my artwork.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I love listening to people interpret my paintings. Hearing what others see and feel when they view my work is the coolest. It proves that there are multiple ways of seeing things and none of them are wrong.

Contact Info:

• Website: jillymakes.com
• Instagram: @helloimjilly

Image Credits
Like the Planet Photography @liketheplanetphotography