pastel painting of closeup of apple orchard tree
Jill Stefani Wagner, "Orchard 9", pastel, 12 x 16 in; available through artist

Jill Stefani Wagner: Whatever subject matter I paint, my primary focus is always the “light” and how it affects what 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 and Italian landscape. I paint yearly in 5-7 national plein air festivals capturing the uniqueness of each venue. Michigan winters are spent working in my studio, creating larger pieces…but always chasing the light.

To see more of Jill’s work, visit:
website

pastel landscape painting with mountains in background; foliage in foreground
Jill Stefani Wagner, “Little Grand Traverse”, pastel, 12 x 16 in; available through artist
pastel painting of sunset; power lines in foreground
Jill Stefani Wagner, “Evening Fire”, pastel, 12 x 18 in; available through artist