**Jill Sparks**

Home | About Me as a Teacher | About Me as an Artist | Gallery | Links








About Me as an Artist

The only time I feel alive is when I'm painting. ~Vincent Van Gogh
 
Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one.  ~Stella Adler

I have always been artistically inclined since I was a child. My mother was talented in the area of cartoon and animation design, but did not take it further than just a hobby. When she saw I had some drawing talent at a young age, she didn't let me take it for granted. I practiced and kept a sketchbook with me at all times. I decided to take my love for art and turn it into a career, trying to inspire students to take their love of art and make it more than just a hobby.
 
My personal art style is a realistic and stylistic approach towards figure and portraiture. I mainly draw people, ranging from a traditional style family portrait to the twisting angles and sharp lighting effects of a studio.
 
My painting style is stylistic, often subduing colors or intensifying values. I tend to use raw color over muting colors.
 
My photography is mainly portraiture, only delving into black and white digital modification photography.
 
My media of choice ranges from drawing pencils, color pencils, oil paints, watercolor, digital media, stained glass, and pen.
 
My favorite art movements include surrealism, magic realism, art deco, pop art,  and post-modern--my favorite artists include Kiki Smith, Tamara de Limpicka, Roy Lichtenstein, and Kathe Kollwitz.

Here are a series of links addressing my favorite artists:

Kiki Smith

Kathe Kollwitz

Tamara de Lempicka

Roy Lichtenstein