MEET THE PROS is a lecture series featuring local heroes from the Champaign-Urbana creative community

I grew up on a farm near Champaign. I spent most of my free time during my formative years doodling or taking care of the animals, most notably the chickens. I have a soft spot in particular for birds, which is why they show up so often in my art, and in my house, which I share with two noisy parrots.

I went to undergrad at the University of Illinois and graduated with a BFA in Art Education. Upon graduating I worked several graphic design jobs and found that my real passion lay in illustration. I started by doing band posters and began screen printing them in my basement. The screen printing process has shaped my illustration style by limiting the color palette and how the colors are mixed through linework and halftone dots. I also started doing T-shirt illustrations during this time, and have just recently started doing freelance work for books, magazines, non-profits and local companies.

I continue to do screen printing and sell at several different art fairs throughout the year, as well as through my online storefront at Etsy. I also work during the day as a teacher at a local high school, bringing in my illustrations to help teach lessons about elements and principles of art and design.

 

(Download PDF poster of the event)
Read an interview with Jillian Nickell on Smile Politely
Visit Jillian's web site
Shop for Jillian's art on Etsy

 

 

 

MEET THE PROS is presented by Graphic Design at Parkland College
and sponsored by CUDO and 40 North/88 West

For additional information, please contact Paul Young