About the Artist: Jill Haney Neal
About the Cover Artist
April 2025 Issue
About the Cover Artist — Jill Haney Neal
by Lindsay Gifford
Ladies, raise your wine glasses in salute to Jill Haney Neal, this month’s Cover Artist who’s whimsical, bodacious babes have graced a variety of artworks, including paintings, wine labels, coffee mugs and Pink Magazine’s October 2016, June 2020, and August 2023 magazine covers: Welcome back, Jill!
Jill believes women were created in God’s image with a universal spirit and are equally loved regardless of size, ethnicity, or background. “There is an edginess to my art, and from what I’ve been told, I’m still breaking barriers. When you get women together, they are funny and sexy, it’s just part of our essence.”
“I have two lives,” Jill explained, “I have my fine art life—more impressionistic, pen and ink wildlife and horses, but what people know me for is my women—life from a women’s point of view. I always want it to be empowering.”
Jill, who uses mostly watercolors and acrylics on watercolor paper, proclaimed, “You just have to get a little crazy with watercolor art! I take things from my life and turn them into art.” Jill’s fun side goes the distance. Her humor is evident in her “Wild Women” series where you see everything from “Free at Last”, one of her women running naked to the ocean, to “Caffeine Queen”, who is literally splashing in cup of coffee. This series is filled with spirit, energy and joy and brings smiles to everybody. Also of note are Jill’s clever wine labels: “Menopause Merlot” from Biner Vineyards, “Vivacious Vicky” from Kiona, and Westport Winery’s “Duckleberry Grunt” and “Beauty from Splashes.” All of which feature her fun artwork on incredibly crafted wine.
Explaining her inspiration for the cover ”Garden Diva,” Jill smiled and said, “One of my friends makes parasols, and they are so fun. In the painting, the Diva is spreading her seeds, and as she dances over them, they turn into flowers. It’s definitely an optimism piece.”
After losing her husband unexpectedly two years ago, Jill has felt inspiration from many avenues. She saw many ravens after his passing, inspiring a series of black and white artwork. And her painting “Merry Widows” was inspired by her positive outlook for the future. Jill often spends time off-the-grid in her cabin in the San Juan islands, Washington, where she focuses on painting. Her time away is spent amongst the beautiful and peaceful waterfront, enjoying a multitude of inspiration from the surrounding wildlife. Seals, orcas, deer, shorebirds, and dolphins—all can be seen from her deck. She even has an outhouse!
What’s on Jill’s horizons these days? Well, she’s working on rediscovering herself and all the stuff she wants to do. She’s moving into her new home, playing pickleball, skiing, and enjoying time with her grandchildren. She’s dreaming of driving cross country (Maybe she’ll come to the Lowcountry!), adventuring abroad, drinking more wine and eating more oysters. (She should definitely come to the Lowcountry!)
You can check out Jill’s artworks, including 48 fun coffee mug designs, online at www.JillNealGallery.com. Plus, if you’re in the area, Jill’s artwork is carried in local galleries near Sisters, Oregon. Connect with Jill via email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. on Facebook: Jill’s Wild Tasteful Women or on Instagram @JillHaneyNeal7293. And keep an eye out for her Etsy shop coming soon!