Illustration

Jill-Ann was born in Iowa and then spent her young adult years without roots via the nomadic military lifestyle.  In 2011 she settled in Ellicott City, Maryland. She used to say that she lives “near D.C.” but now, both in proximity and in heart, she’s proud to be an artist from “just outside of Baltimore.” Jill-Ann received her B.A. in English/Creative Writing from Stephens College (Columbia, Missouri) in 2005 and her M.A. in Illustration from Maryland Institute College of Art (Baltimore, Maryland) in 2025.

Jill-Ann’s illustrations are often described as vibrant and playful. She feels most whole when interacting with nature, growing her own food, tending her bees & chickens, exploring new landscapes and cities, and sharing it all with the people and pets she holds dear; much of her work embraces these themes. There are so many stories in kinship with the natural world and in the soul-nourishing connections we make with each–this is what she strives to convey in her work. 

 Jill-Ann has long described herself as a watercolor illustrator, but her work now includes digital pieces that parallel her traditional media style. While not represented in this portfolio, she also enjoys creating with fiber  and illustrative sculpture as further mediums for exploring storytelling.

Available for work! please e-mail jill-ann@thelavenderwhim.com for licensing and collaboration proposals.