Bio

Jennifer Hill is a mixed media artist with a background in both fashion and art. Her art is the culmination of her experiences as an artist, a couture seamstress, and of her love for embroidery.

Originally from the South, Jennifer spent her early childhood years in New Orleans, Louisiana, a city rich in culture and history with its French origins.  It was there that she gained an appreciation for all forms of art and all things French! She remembers the jazz music, the Cajun cuisine, the architecture of the French Quarter with its lace balconies, and especially, the beautiful old oak trees dripping with Spanish moss.  It was in the South that she first discovered her love of trees, a theme that can often be found in her paintings.

Jennifer has been an artist since she was a child, always painting and drawing, and taking as many art classes as possible in school.  She has also always been interested in “women’s arts”, such as knitting, crochet, embroidery, etc., and she learned to sew while still in her teenage years.  Jennifer started her college career with a major in painting but It was a class in couture sewing that inspired her to pursue fashion.  It was there that she learned that she could paint on garments and embellish them with embroidery, beads, ribbons, trims, and three-dimensional petals.  Couture seemed appealing because of the time and labor involved, turning each garment into a work of art.

After spending many years focused on her sewing career, Jennifer decided to return to painting.  But after years of working three-dimensionally she felt that there was something missing.  So she decided to combine her knowledge and experience as a couture seamstress with her art, using fabrics, trims, and embroidery materials in her work.

Jennifer lives in Syracuse, NY and has a Bachelor of Science degree in fashion design with a minor in fine art from Syracuse University.  She is also passionate about Jesus, old movies, and her small dog named Lacy.

Artist Statement

I started out as a traditional painter, but after years of sewing couture garments, I felt the need to add something more three dimensional to my work.  Like a well-crafted couture garment that’s born out of a labor of love, my work is multi-layered, with lots of texture, dimension, and detail.

I strive to create artwork that is both beautiful and uplifting.  My subject matter always comes from nature; from leaves, flowers, and trees. But mostly, I love flowers! Large bold flowers, like peonies and roses.   I am also inspired by fashion and couture embroidery, usually from the runways of Paris or Milan- like the intricacy of a Lesage embroidery, the structure of a Dior dress, or the pattern of a Valentino lace.

Embroidery materials add a richness of depth and texture to my work. The reflective quality of these materials changes in different lighting. As you move around a piece, you will find unexpected shimmer and sparkle from materials that aren’t necessarily noticeable at first glance. I also use ribbons, trims, and fabrics in my work, employing techniques I learned as a seamstress to create three dimensional elements like petals and leaves, or an unexpected bow for a touch of whimsy!  I like to mix a variety of fabrics within a piece, combining different patterns and textures, layering sheer over opaque. I am always looking for new materials to use, and am always excited about experimenting with anything that will give my paintings more texture, dimension, sparkle, and shine.