February Creator of the Month: Jillian
Art has always been a vital part of Jillian's life. It has shaped her ability to think creatively, a skill that has benefited her not only in her work but also in navigating life's challenges. Jillian has been exposed to art at home and during travels.
Jillian spent 12 years living in Japan before returning to Vancouver, where she studied and worked in Therapeutic Recreation with Japanese individuals facing various disabilities. While they spoke Japanese, art became a more important connection between Jillian and the residents than language itself. It was a powerful tool to bring out the emotions that words could not capture.
Her creative mindset, nurtured by years of artistic exposure, helped her in her role as a tour guide. Later, this way of thinking carried over into her work in Vocational Counseling, where she supported individuals living with addiction or mental illness. Through art, she exposed individuals to discovering new interests and finding renewed passion for life.
Jillian had long understood the transformative power of art in sharing with others. However, when she was diagnosed with Functional Movement Disorder and Depression, she found herself relying on art's healing properties for her own recovery. Jillian retired early, deeply affected by her diagnosis. The BC Brain Wellness Program motivated her to experience and live life positively, actively participating in a variety of classes.
In Art from the Heart, the instructor Mady encouraged her to focus on self-expression. She began to explore freedom in art. Particularly in managing depression and anxiety, she found herself freeing her emotions and finding a quiet and gentle place. Her approach is intuitive and not preplanned. She begins in a meditative state, diving into her feelings and emotions, letting them determine which tools to use that day, whether it be a brush, her fingers, acrylics, or pastels. In Artful Living with Jean, she has studied the life stories of many great artists, who have also been through hardships throughout their lives. She finds validation in her own art journey through those biographies.
To Jillian, art is healing. It is a way of escaping from her emotions without laying them on to someone else. It is a safe space and a gift for her. Art has carried her through some of life's most difficult moments. She enjoys the community that art fosters. She has learned so much from others, and has found people who understand her. She encourages those who do art to share their knowledge, and to show others how art and creativity can be a source of healing. Jillian doesn't consider herself an artist, but she truly accepts the power it brings her to enjoy life. Every Sunday, she goes to the Vancouver Art Gallery with a friend, where they learn about new artists and different forms of creativity. On the gallery's fourth floor, there is a Making It section where visitors can try their hand at the techniques of featured artists. There, she has witnessed couples and families exploring art together, watching as creativity sparks confidence and joy in them.
“Art says so much about our souls. We can all be really creative people if we listen to our souls and hear what could possibly make us happy.” - Jillian Robertson