Jillian Ballas

WA, UNITED STATES

Jillian Ballas is a mixed media environmental artist from Washington State who works primarily in drawing and sculpture. She gathers inspiration from the environment around her and the adventures she has had within it; her art is often inspired by the experiences she has had exploring the landscapes of the West Coast. Through her work she reflects the threads that connect us to nearby ecosystems and challenges the notion of wilderness, encouraging the viewer to question the definitions and symbolic meanings we project onto nature in western culture.

Into the Forest

Inspired by the repetitive cycles found within nature, this series grapples with the metaphysical concepts of time and connectivity. I am fascinated by the never-ending processes found within a forest’s ecosystem and the often-unsteady balance between destruction and regrowth. Using charcoal, a material sourced directly from nature, I try to capture images both ethereal and dreamlike.