“Whether painting landscapes, interiors or figures, my primary focus is always the ‘light’ and how it affects the subject I’m trying to capture. Working in pastel and oil I approach my paintings as a sculptor would, carving out nuances of highlight and shadow. An avid plein air artist, I’m inspired by the American landscape and that of my beloved Italy. I find my greatest joy painting on location, taking in the atmosphere, temperature, sounds and smells, as well as the view. I participate in national plein air festivals, traveling throughout the country to capture the uniqueness of each venue. During the cold Michigan winters I work in my studio creating larger pieces…but always, always chasing the light.” ABOUTJill Stefani Wagner PSA-MP IAPS/MC GLPS was born in Port Huron, Michigan. She received a B.F.A. in painting from The University of Michigan School of Art and was the owner and creative director of an award-winning advertising firm in Ann Arbor, before "seeing the light" and becoming a full-time, professional artist. Jill’s oil and pastel paintings have been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions throughout the United States and are included in various corporate and private collections. Twelve of Jill’s paintings have been accepted into the prestigious International Association of Pastel Societies Exhibits and she has been honored with multiple awards in the Pastel Society of America. The Pastel Society of North Florida honored Jill with Best of Show Award in their National Exhibit. Pastel Journal Magazine has awarded her seven Honorable Mentions in their Pastel 100 Shows and she has been recognized in multiple national competitions over the years. In 2016 Jill's painting appeared on the cover of Plein Air Magazine and is often featured in that publication as well as in Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine. Pastel Journal has included her pastel paintings in multiple articles and the best-selling French magazine, Practique des Arts, has also highlighted her pastel paintings. Recently Jill was awarded Master Circle status in the International Association of Pastel Societies. A Master Pastelist in the Pastel Society of America, she also belongs to Degas Pastel Society, Great Lakes Pastel Society, Oil Painters of America, American Impressionist Society and American Women Artists. She has mounted solo exhibitions at The University of Michigan, The University of Michigan Health System, The River Gallery, Monroe Community College, Kerrytown Concert House and Pfizer Corporate Headquarters. Jill also teaches art workshops around the United States and Italy, and has been faculty at the Plein Air Convention five times.