Written by Something a little different for today’s Guest Doodlewash in honor of Laura’s Draw A Bird Day today (@ Create Art Every Day). Jill Kuhn from Spokane, Washington (follow her!) recently took some of my abstracts and made some incredibly cool art. The top left is my original abstract, in which Jill “found” a Spotted Nothura (with a little help from one of her favorite bird books, Extreme Birds by Dominic Couzens) and rendered it beautifully!
It was such a fun collaboration that I just had to share it with you here! Jill is fearless when it comes to experimenting with different mediums and her work is always full of imagination. It’s that same imagination that led her to finding an octopus in yet another of my previously unpublished abstracts. I had titled mine on the left, Octopus Loses In A Horrible Fight, but Jill managed to “find” a victorious octopus and create a fantastic and truly educational homage to this fascinating cephalopod. But, truthfully, this is just a super great excuse to introduce you to Jill!
Jill has always enjoyed art, even as a child. In 2013, she started taking online art classes from Carla Sonheim. She says, “I was working a stressful, full-time job and needed a creative outlet. Online art classes have helped me rediscover my JOY in art. I love learning, experimenting and creating art in multiple mediums! And I have made many wonderful friends all over the world.” (so happy to be one of them!)
In September 2014, Jill joined an online challenge with two friends to create a bird a day (any art medium) for 101 days. This challenge started her journey of creating art each and every day. When she started her blog in January 2015, she continued to focus on birds and posted daily. In May, she grew tired of birds (after about nine straight months), so she broadened her subject matter.
Jill says, “I love to write so blogging has given me a new passion in life. Each day, I look forward with anticipation to connect with my blogging friends who are all such an inspiration to me. My art style leans toward whimsical… probably because I love to laugh and make others smile. I am not sure where my art will take me as I am still searching for my creative niche but I am enjoying the journey!”
And we’re all enjoying watching your journey Jill! Thanks so much for all the smiles and laughs and the sheer joy you’re bringing to the blogosphere each day. If you’re not already following Jill’s blog, please do so this minute! You won’t be disappointed! Smiles are guaranteed.
Those are sooooo very awesome!!! Very beautiful!
Thanks Courtney! Jill is super amazing and cool! 😉
Jill is, indeed, fearless in her art! I want to be just like her when I grow up! 😀 I loved the octopus she made from your abstract!
Jill rocks! I think we would all love to be her when we grow up. I’m not sure I’ll ever grow up though 😊
LOL! Oh, great minds think alike…I was thinking as I typed my previous comment that I’m not sure I’m wanting to grow up.:D
Let’s fight this age thing together my friend!! Lol 😉
😀
Thank you so much, Charlie! 😊 I appreciate all your kind words, my friend! 💜
Thank YOU Jill for being so fun and inspiring! Art is more fun when you have friends to play with. Thank you for being one of mine! 💜😃
Hi Charlie – Thanks for highlighting Jill today. I’ve enjoyed following her blog and her creative style. Lots of surprises happening at Jill’s blog.
Yes! It’s always a fun time there! Glad you like Jill’s feature Sharon! 😀
WOOT! Awesome celebration of Jill’s work. Her style is so free and expressive….and colorful!! Can’t get enough of it! And Charlie, I just have to add that your title for that piece “Octopus Loses In A Horrible Fight” was a scream! I really enjoyed that one. Peace, my friend. And YAY for Jill! 😀
Hehe…thanks Laura! Jill is Amazing!! It was so wonderful to feature her, and to collaborate! 😉 But honestly…now that you’ve seen the missing abstract, you must agree it really fits! Lol
I do see the octopus in it. Looks like a tornado to me tho! You’re so funny, Charlie. Your titles are cool!
That works!! It was a tornado of a fight…that’s why he lost 😥
101 birds! I have a lot of work to do…
Hehe…better get to work!! Yeah…that’s sound both impressive and exhausting. I think I would get distracted by a squirrel or something at some point 😊
likewise…my attention span is not my strongest point.
Thanks for spotlighting Jill’s work. She’s super creative. He drawing never fail to make me smile!!
Glad you liked the feature Nancy! Yes…I was super excited to feature Jill. She’s wonderful!
Such a nice portrait of Jill!!! Thanks for sharing, Charlie!!! 😊👍
Thanks Ann! Glad you liked it!! 😃
I love the collaborative pieces! Beautiful artwork!
Thanks for commenting! Jill is kind of awesome! Definitely follow her Kari if you’re not already do so! 😉
“Fearless” and whimsical….she has certainly found joy in her art…Love the beautiful creations and the collaborations were great! Thank you for introducing such a creative force, looking forward to visiting her blog.
Thanks Haunani! Glad you liked them! Definitely follow Jill…she’s super awesome! 😃
What a fun post! Jill is so creative, thank you sharing her work and thoughts!
Jill is a bundle of joy, fun, and talent!! Definitely one to follow!! 😉
I love Jill’s work. It always makes me smile and outright laugh. 😀
Me too! It’s so much fun to see what she’ll come up with next!
How did I miss this! A day later, here I find this lovely post. I’ve been following Jill since I started blogging in Fb. 2015 – when she was still birding it up on WordPress and was immediately enthralled by her creatively. Love your collaborations. Jill inspires me, too. So happy to learn more about Jill and her artwork, along with your work together, here. Thanks!
Yay! Jill is sooo fun!! Glad you caught her feature. Doodlewashing is so much more fun with friends!! 😉👍🏻😃
[…] autumn of 2014, I did a challenge to draw a bird daily for 101 days (together with Jill Kuhn and Corinne Bekker, both of them have had guest doodlewashes here as well). That was a wonderful […]