Jill Reiley

Artist Statement

I am an oil painter working in contemporary realism, inspired by the quiet richness of everyday life. My paintings begin with careful observation of ordinary places and experiences—a neighborhood café, a family gathering, fruit on a counter, or a familiar Florida landscape. I am interested in the moments we often overlook and how light, color, and composition can transform the familiar into something worthy of closer attention.
Working primarily from my own photographs and direct observation, I develop each painting through multiple layers of oil paint, balancing accurate representation with expressive brushwork and color relationships. While my work is grounded in realism, I want the surface of the painting to remain active and painterly, allowing the marks of the brush to contribute to the experience of the image.
Living in Florida has had a significant influence on my work. The state's distinctive light, saturated color, and everyday environments continually provide inspiration, shaping both my subject matter and my palette. I strive to create paintings that feel specific to a place while expressing experiences that are broadly familiar.
My work has been influenced by artists such as Richard Diebenkorn, Wayne Thiebaud, Edward Hopper, and Alice Neel. From them I have drawn an appreciation for expressive color, ordinary subject matter, quiet observation, and the enduring power of representational painting.
Ultimately, my goal is to create paintings that encourage viewers to slow down, look carefully, and discover beauty and meaning in the commonplace.