Artist Jane Lillico – Birds, Beasts and Beings

The term “emerging artist” is too vague when describing Jane Lillico.  I prefer to describe her as a REAL artist growing in strength with a unique creative voice.  She is multi-talented with a substantial body of work under her belt.  Her love for nature, wildlife and people are reflections of her work.

Her mediums are sculpting, painting (landscape and architecture), freehand architectural drawings, mixed media using  found and re-purposed items such as sea shells, feathers, glass, pieces of wire and packing materials.  Jane  is also a writer, interior designer and she creates unique lighting sources, jewelry and embroidered tapestries.  One of her goals this year is to have her book of homonyms published: Too Bee Oar Knot Two B.

Jane employs an array of materials and mediums but in our conversation, she kept coming back to the versatility of the ancient art of papier-mâché, which is virtually unlimited because it is lightweight and airy and because of the unpredictability in the way it dries, it has its owns unique character.

Jane is particularly attracted to birds and her papier-mâché sculptures of pelicans, frigates and flying fish at the stunning Galeria de Ida Victoria in the Historic San Jose Art District, are airborne and soaring from the ceiling.

Working with recycled materials is a real joy for Jane because  it educates people to use something that is discarded and transform it into art. This is also about teaching the next generation about recycling.  When she comes across a unique shaped box or vessel of some sort, she knows immediately how it can be a base element for a sculpture.

Humor is vital to her creativity and reflected in her current work where exaggerated features are meant to put a smile on your face. Also the eyes of her subjects are super important – human or animal –  it develops their own individual personality.

Jane is currently developing her Suitcase Series which will be pieces that can be carried in a standard size suitcase.  Because some of her work has been so large scale, it can be a stumbling block because it is prohibitive to ship.  Her first foray into the Suitcase Series will be with Frigates, reducing the scale for manageable shipping to remote locations.

Jane is very introspective and we talked about how she handles disappointment – she made me laugh with something she had read about the philosophy of a dog – if you can’t eat it or play with it, walk away.  But honestly, she told me if something does not work the first time, you have to find a way to make it work.  Her motto is, if you feel strongly enough about it, you will make it work.

papier-mâché

Jane Lillico has caught the eye of the art community in Mexico, Canada and the United States.  She is one of the featured artists in Arabella Magazine which will be released in Canada in March. Her unique creative voice is gaining strength, exposure and the recognition she deserves.

Some cultures believe birds are the connection between heaven and earth. The next time you are lounging around your house staring at your empty ceiling, imagine Trumpeter Swans, Canadian Geese, Pelicans and Flying Fish airborne above you and remember Jane Lillico and her amazing art.