Art & Life with Jill Turrentine

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jill Turrentine.

Jill, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I’m originally from MN and have lived in the valley since 2004. I have always been creative and loved all forms of art. There are many mediums I’ve worked with, acrylic, metals, resin, woodworking, textiles, fibers, soap making, handmade paper, lamp making and jewelry. I love multi-media and in each craft I learn something that I tend to incorporate into the next project. I grew up in a multi-racial family and have a natural affinity towards different cultures. I love hearing about the lives of other’s and to travel. I am intrigued by facial expressions which convey emotion and transcend words. I try to create pieces which tell a story that may resonate with someone else. A friend of mine in early 2004, before moving to the valley, asked me to help her with ideas for her jewelry. Helping her design, sparked my interest to create my own work. When I see someone wearing something I’ve created, it’s not only my story, it’s theirs. I love that connection. I love positive affirmations and try to use stones, symbols, words, and colors which reflect a positive feeling. If I had to define my work, I would use the word Meraki pronounced (may-rah-kee). It means to do something with total love, and pure soul. It is leaving a little piece of yourself in your creative work. All of my designs are one of a kind for that reason. Unique pieces for unique individuals.

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I use different mediums. Most of my ideas are created in layers of resin. I work with polymer clay because I like blending colors. I use PMC in a kiln to make things which are either adhered to gemstones or create bezels and components for the overall design. The resin is a lengthy process which takes cure times between pours. I love learning new techniques. I love to deconstruct things to understand the mechanics and how to build things. In that process I always find a new idea or inspiration. When I have friends tell me things that are happy or sometimes sad I get ideas for new pieces. The feedback I get a lot is how something I’ve created makes them feel nostalgic, or resonates with them for another reason. I think many people love knowing that what they are wearing is one of a kind and unique to them. Even if I try to recreate something, because it is handmade it will never be identical. I find beauty in things others may see as flawed. I love individuality and see beauty in that. I think most artists would love mass appeal but ultimately it only takes one person to completely love something I’ve created to make the creation worth it. My goal is to continue to find ways to create things where connection can be found. That’s really what makes me happy.

Any advice for aspiring or new artists?
In anything attempted, be willing to try without worry of failure. The magic happens when you create without fear and have a willingness to learn from mistakes. Mistakes become an opportunity and really a stepping stone to being better. Everything requires thought and energy. Practice your craft. Learn through doing. Action is better than staying in idea mode. Be willing to take risks, and embrace vulnerability. Share with other artists and create your own style. Don’t be fearful of showing other’s how you do things. When you find your own style it won’t matter if other’s try to recreate what you’ve done.

I wish I would have learned earlier: Be patient with yourself and keep learning. It doesn’t matter how long it takes you as long as you keep working toward your goal. Feel happy to always have ideas, not every artist does.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I can be seen or followed on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest under “JillTurrentineDesign” as one word. I have items online in my Etsy store www.etsy.com/shop/jillturrentinedesign, Amazon also under “JillTurrentineDesign” or Rubymint General in Phoenix. In the next year I hope to find some other boutiques to sell in as well as doing some art fairs. People can support by interaction with me to keep growing my ideas. Of course I would love to see my work everywhere. I think it would be amazing to randomly see someone wearing one of my pieces that I have never met, somewhere I would never expected and I could ask them about it. For now, I will stay in love with how someone lights up when they find something they love. I couldn’t ask for any better feeling.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.etsy.com/shop/jillturrentinedesign
• Email: blissfulart@yahoo.com
• Instagram: JillTurrentineDesign
• Facebook: JillTurrentineDesign
• Twitter: JillTurrentineDesign

Image Credit:
Photos by Jill Turrentine

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