Jill Pilon

Artist Jill Pilon and Douglas Bevans of Sunshine Coast Art Tours at Jill’s Studio at ‘the kube’ in Gibsons

Every month Sunshine Coast Art Tours will shine a light on a local artist that we love. This month's feature artist is my friend Jill Pilon, who by the way will be exhibiting her latest work at 'the kube' in March!

Originally from the U.S. Jill moved to Vancouver in 2001. As early as she can remember, she has always wanted to be an artist. "I dreamt of moving to France, going to art school and wearing the quintessential uniform — beret, black and white striped shirt, handkerchief around my neck and a paint brush in-hand. Sad to say"

France wasn’t in the cards for her, but after moving to Canada and living in East Van for a few years, she started to really feel the pull to give her dreams a go. She enrolled in the Continuing Studies Fine Arts Program at Emily Carr University.

Fast forward to today — three kiddos later, living on the Sunshine Coast and a proud co-owner of The Kube, which focuses heavily on the arts and all things creative, (and also where her current art studio lives).

Over the years, her career as an artist has taken many twists and turns. From working alongside interior designers to her current obsession — her wrestler series.

"Following my passion for all things art as a career choice has had its moments, but I wouldn’t change a thing. I feel extremely lucky to be doing what I do and fortunate enough to be making a living at it."

Check the video interview below.

Video Interview with Jill who discusses her latest work, her Wrester Series.

To help you get to know Jill a bit better, I also presented her with three interesting questions.

Questions

1) What is an odd habit or a ridiculous thing that you love?

Hmmm admittedly I have quite a few odd habits lol… One of which is not so much as odd just simply a BAD habit! I’m not sure why I do this and probably shouldn’t admit this on a public interview , but I hide my money in random books around my house and I often forget what books and where in the book I hide it!

2) Who is your favourite Sunshine Coast Artist and why?

Oh, that’s a toughy! I have a few favourite Sunshine Coast artists but the first that comes to mind is Caroline Weaver. Her work is incredible and everything about her down to her high heel boots and sparkly skirts just scream art!

3) If you could go back and give your 20-year-old self one piece of advice, what would it be?

If I could go back and give my 20 year old self a piece of advice , I’d have said Go for it! Trust in yourself, your capabilities and don’t let fear and the of failure get in the way of the life you want.