Jill Ray studied Foundation at St Albans School of Art from 1974-5, where she spent most of her time in the life room with Quentin Crisp as a frequent model.

This was followed by 3 years at Falmouth School of Art resulting in a BA Hons Fine Art (Painting) in 1978 and a growing interest in landscape subjects.

As a student she exhibited at the RA in the annual Stowells Trophy exhibition, Newlyn Gallery and at Harlow Library.

Landscape Architecture
A growing interest in the landscape lead to a change of direction and she graduated from Sheffield University in 1985 as a Landscape Architect. she has been a member of the Landscape Institute for over 25 years, during which time she worked for Sheffield City Council from 1986 until March 2012.

She paints in oils on canvas and creates prints digitally. She developed her print technique whilst practicing as a Landscape Architect, providing clear, accessible images for consultation events which could be quickly updated as projects developed. She discovered what a great drawing tool my PC was. She really loves the way layers of translucent blocks of colour can build up an image.

My passion for making images this way combined with a rekindling of my previous love of painting in oils on canvas and I really enjoy exploring both old and new technology in the development of my work. I often use an iPad as a portable sketchbook as well as using photographic references

My main concerns are colour, light and the rhythms of landscape. I am fascinated by the way similar shapes and patterns echo and repeat in the landscape as can be seen in both the striking and bold style of my prints (which often resemble the effects of overlaid layers of tissue paper) and in a more subtle and textural exploration in my paintings.

The hills of the Dark Peak and the woodlands in Sheffield provide most of my subject matter with occasional winter forays to the east coast

Recent Success
Jill regularly exhibits with the Premier Artists at Sheffield’s ‘Art in the Gardens’ and takes part in ‘Open up Sheffield’ and the ‘Great Dome Art Fair’ in Buxton as well as showing at several print and craft fairs throughout the year. She also exhibits annually at the Spring Fair at the NEC (trade only).

She is a member of both Peak District Artisans and Sheffield Printmakers.

Jill is developing a loyal following and her prints are becoming collectible. They are available through many Galleries in Yorkshire and the Peak District as well as countrywide and more recently in the US and Europe