artist info
Biography
Jill Soukup was born in Buffalo, New York. Shortly thereafter, her family moved to Colorado, where she still resides. Jill’s affinity for horses as a young girl resulted in countless drawings and studies of them, which made for a strong drawing foundation. As a teen, she started a pet-portrait business, acquired jobs painting murals, and designed logos for local organizations. She graduated from Colorado State University in 1991 with a Bachelor of Fine Art. There, she received awards for illustration and design and worked as an illustrator and designer for the university. She initially pursued a career in graphic design while continuing to paint part time. After 11 years as a designer, she made the switch to full-time painting. Her work continues to gain recognition as she receives awards, appears in national publications, and shows in important juried and one-woman exhibitions.
Artist Statement
The intent of my work is to capture the balance that exists at the intersection of opposite elements and to expose underlying similarities in things that are perceived to be fundamentally different. I’m driven by the process of painting contrasts, and by pushing value, color, and texture in a realistic setting.
Through my disparate subjects—static urban and architectural scenes, and the richly kinetic moments that define Western ranch life—I constantly work to hone and develop my craft by challenging the abstract components of a painting to come to together in an intentional, representational way. Without fail, this process reaffirms for me the symbiotic duality that defines my work—each element is dependent on its opposite for complete expression.
Resumé
Solo Exhibitions
Accelerated Calm: Jill Soukup Solo Exhibition, Gallery 1261, Denver, CO — 2022
Featured Artist, Astoria Fine Art, Jackson, WY — 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018
Eisenhauer Gallery, Martha’s Vineyard, MA — 2013
Saks Galleries, Denver, CO — 2011, 2012, 2013
Industrial & Equine Architecture, The Longmont Museum, Longmont, CO — 2011
Abend Gallery, Denver, CO — 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Compelled by Structure, University of Northern Colorado School of Art & Design Galleries, Greeley, CO — 2007
Group Exhibitions
Coors Western Art Exhibit & Sale, National Western Stock Show, Denver, CO — 2009–2023
Sporting Art Auction, Cross Gate Gallery & Keeneland Association, Lexington, KY — 2019, 2021, 2022
The Graveyard Shift, The Brinton Museum, Big Horn, WY — 2021
West X West: 2 Woman Exhibition with Teresa Elliott, Gallery 1261, Denver, CO — 2019
Cowgirl Up Invitational Exhibition & Sale, Desert Caballeros Western Museum, Wickenburg, AZ — 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
The Russell: The Sale to Benefit the C.M. Russell Museum, C.M. Russell Museum, Great Falls, MT — 2012, 2014, 2015
Windows to the Divine Exhibition & Sale — 2009, 2011, 2013, 2019, 2020
Gallery 1261, Denver, CO — 2015
Representing the West, Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center, Pueblo, CO — 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Oil Painters of America Annual National Juried Exhibition — 2001, 2003, 2007, 2010, 2011
Colorado Gold, The Wildlife Experience, Parker, CO — 2009
Colorado Art Open, Foothills Art Center, Golden, CO — 2009
Salon International, Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX — 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
WAOW (Women Artists of the West) 39th Annual National Juried Exhibition, Saks Galleries, Denver, CO — 2009
Society of Animal Artists, Art & the Animal Annual Exhibition, The Wildlife Experience, Parker, CO — 2007, 2008
Oil Painters of America West/Southwest Mountain Regional Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils — 2003, 2007
Colorado Governor’s Invitational Art Show and Sale, Loveland Museum — 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007
California Visions, Long Beach Museum of Art — 2005
VSA (Vision, Strength, and Artistic) Fine Art Auction, William Havu Gallery, Denver, CO — 2002, 2003, 2004
Public Education & Business Coalition, Colorado Artists for Youth Art Sale and Auction, Colorado History Museum — 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
Northern Colorado Artist Association 11th National Art Exhibition and Sale — 2002
Awards
Best of Show, Cowgirl Up! Art from the Other Half of the West, Desert Caballeros Western Museum — 2017
Juror's Choice, Art for the Horses: 3rd Annual Exhibition — 2015
Southwest Art Magazine Art Award, Weekend in the West, Evergreen Fine Art — 2015
Featured Artist, Coors Western Art Exhibit and Sale — 2013
Southwest Art Magazine Art Award, Coors Western Art Exhibit and Sale — 2012
People’s Choice, Coors Western Art Exhibit and Sale — 2011
Best of Show, 2D, Representing the West, Sangre de Cristo Arts & Conference Center — 2010
Finalist awards in the animal art category, The Artist's Magazine 23rd Annual Art Competition — 2006, 2008, 2009
Jury's Top 50, Salon International Museum of Contemporary Masters — 2006, 2007, 2008
Third place in the animal art category, The Artists Magazine 20th Annual Art Competition — 2003
Award of Excellence, Oil Painters of America West/Southwest Mountain Regional Juried Exhibition — 2003
Honorable Mention, Northern Colorado Artist Association 11th National Art Exhibition and Sale — 2002
Colorado State University Creative and Performing Arts Award — 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990
National Scholastic Portfolio Competition New York Scholarship — 1987
National Scholastic Arts Award — 1985, 1986, 1987