Jill Leman pictured in her studio in Islington
ELECTED ARWS 2009 & RWS 2012
Jill’s starting point for a painting begins with colour - this could be flowers, textiles, decorative china or some domestic object. She believes that drawing is very important in understanding and knowing your subject and she needs the basic structure to be in the work - then the painting can be set free to take on its own life. Jill’s work is essentially domestic - her paintings are for people to hang on their walls and enjoy.
Born in 1946 in the USA, Jill's family came to the UK in the 1950s. After studying at Colchester School of Art and the Central School of Art & Design, Jill worked in publishing until becoming freelance. She collaborated with her husband Martin Leman on the design, research and writing of many books of his paintings. Since 1996 Jill has focused on painting and has shown widely in many mixed exhibitions in London and around the UK including the RA Summer Exhibition and the Sunday Times Watercolour Competition. She has also had four solo shows in London and Ipswich.