Featured Artwork: Jill Stefani Wagner PSA-MP IAPS/MC

Winter Reflections
11 x 17 in.
Pastel on paper
$975 unframed
Available from the artist

Jill Stefani Wagner: “Winter Reflections was inspired by a lovely walk in a local park during an especially cold January. As a Michigan artist, I have learned to appreciate the snowy months in the Midwest almost as much as I love the beautiful spring, summer and fall days. Each season has its own unique beauty. Winter scenes suggest a more tonal approach to painting, with cooler hues and greyed down values. I especially love the abstract quality that the landscape takes on during these barren months. In this piece I played a bit with abstraction, painting a close-up view of stark trees reflected in a river.

“Whether painting landscapes, interiors or figures, my primary focus is always the light and how it affects the subject I’m trying to capture. Working in pastel and oil I approach my paintings as a sculptor would, carving out nuances of highlight and shadow.

“An avid plein air artist, I’m inspired by the American landscape and that of my beloved Italy. I find my greatest joy painting on location, taking in the atmosphere, temperature, sounds and smells, as well as the view. I participate in national plein air festivals, traveling throughout the country to capture the uniqueness of each venue. During the cold Michigan winters, I work in my studio creating larger pieces…but always, always chasing the light.”

Jill Stefani Wagner’s artwork has been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions throughout the country and is included in many corporate and private collections. Her paintings have been juried into prestigious national and international oil and pastel exhibits, and have been honored with multiple awards.

One of Jill’s paintings graced the cover of PleinAir Magazine, and her work is often featured in their pages. Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine has frequently highlighted her paintings as has Pastel Journal and the French magazine, Practique des Arts. Wagner has been invited Pastel Faculty at PleinAir Magazine’s Plein Air Convention for four years and enjoys teaching workshops and mentoring other artists.

Wagner is a designated Master Pastelist in the Pastel Society of America and Master Circle in the International Association of Pastel Societies, and belongs to American Impressionist Society, Oil Painters of America, Great Lakes Pastel Society and Degas Pastel Society.

Jill Stefani Wagner graduated with a B.F.A. in painting from University of Michigan School of Art. She owned an award-winning advertising firm in Ann Arbor, Michigan, before “seeing the light” and becoming a full-time artist.

Jill’s paintings are represented in the Midwest by:
J. Petter Galleries in Saugatuck Michigan
Castle Gallery in Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fuller Art House in Sylvania, Ohio

View more paintings at www.jillwagnerart.com
Contact Jill at [email protected]