Biography
Jill Ansell was born in a West Australian Wheatbelt town on a particularly cold July morning in the '60s. Three wise women (and an intelligent dog) would have arrived bearing gifts, but their camels became distracted near Eucla.
During a happy childhood, Jill displayed strong art skills showing dexterity with the texta and considerable aptitude in mural development with a lovely sequence of images on her bedroom ceiling.
She won art prizes as a teenager and had her work displayed in Parliament House at the age of 16. After this promising start, she stopped painting completely in favour of travel, teaching, raising children and dealing unsatisfactorily with domestic chores.
In 1999, after some arm-twisting from a friend, Jill returned to painting, winning the Town of Victoria Park Art Award. She has painted ever since, delighting patrons with her bright and humorous take on West Australian life.
She has won a number of awards and is represented in a number of collections including Royal Perth Hospital and the Town of Victoria Park.
Awards
2020 Finalist Lester Prize
2019 Winner: York Art Award (Overall Theme)
2013 Winner: Victoria Park Art Award (Local Artist )
Winner: York Art Award (Overall Theme)
Winner: York Art Award (Sculpture)
2012 Semi finalist: Doug Moran Portrait Prize
2011 Finalist: Black Swan Portrait Award
Highly commended: Victoria Park Art Award
2009 Winner: York Art & Craft Award
2006 Winner: BankWest Open Art Award, Perth Royal Show
Winner: Victoria Park Art Award (Local Artist )
2005 Winner: Town of Cambridge Art Award
Winner Viewers’ Choice: York Art & Craft Award
2003 Winner: Town of Vincent Art Award
1999 Winner: Victoria Park Art award 2D
Media
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inclusion in magazine Creative Artist #6 pp 30-40
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inclusion in magazine Art Education Association of WA (AEAWA) pp 10-12
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Inclusion in Art Almanac August 2020
I am fortunate enough to know a number of wonderful artists. Below are some links to their web pages. Explore - it will be worth the journey!
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Helen Ansell - talented wife of my cousin
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Tineke Van der Eecken - a local friend and artist
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WA Portraits Artists - association website