About Jann Hill
Jann Hill – Contemporary Australian Artist
Jann Hill is a Mornington Peninsula artist whose work is inspired by Australian native plants, habitat gardening and the intricate patterns found in the natural world.
Working primarily in watercolour, ink and paper, she creates expressive abstract paintings and sculptural works that celebrate the colour, texture and movement of indigenous flora. Her practice combines traditional watercolour techniques with pouring, collage and experimentation to explore the rhythms and complexity of Australia's unique flora.
Jann has spent many years restoring the native bush garden surrounding her home and volunteers at a local indigenous plant nursery, where she assists with seed collection, propagation and growing plants for revegetation projects. These experiences provide a constant source of inspiration and deepen her understanding of the resilience, beauty and ecological importance of Australian native plants.
Rather than making literal botanical illustrations, Jann interprets the energy and character of the bush through colour, pattern and form. Her work reflects the seasonal changes, layered textures and quiet movement found within native vegetation while encouraging a greater appreciation of Australia's remarkable natural environment.
Her paintings, paper sculptures and kinetic works are held in private collections throughout Australia and have been exhibited across Victoria. Jann has won a number of local art awards.
Through her work, Jann hopes to inspire people to notice, value and help restore the native landscapes that support Australia's extraordinary biodiversity.
Why I Paint Australian Native Plants
For me, making art and caring for the environment are inseparable.
My home in Frankston is surrounded by an evolving habitat garden where indigenous plants have replaced introduced species. Over several years I have watched birds return, insects flourish and natural systems re-establish themselves as the garden has become a small refuge for wildlife.
Volunteering at a local indigenous nursery has strengthened that connection. Collecting seed, propagating local plants and helping grow species for revegetation projects has given me a deeper appreciation of the complexity and resilience of Australia's native flora.
These experiences influence every artwork I make.
Rather than painting individual plants as botanical studies, I respond to the patterns, textures, movement and relationships that exist throughout the landscape. Layers of poured watercolour, ink and collage echo the complexity of leaf litter, bark, seed, shadow and new growth, while my paper sculptures explore the movement and structure found in nature.
I hope my work encourages people to look more closely at Australian native plants—not only for their beauty, but for the vital role they play in sustaining wildlife and healthy ecosystems. If my paintings inspire someone to plant an indigenous garden, protect a remnant bushland or simply see the Australian landscape with fresh eyes, then the work has achieved something beyond the studio.