Jill Ballantyne has been named the Shelby Township Senior Center’s featured artist for the months of November and December 2024.
By: Kara Szymanski | Shelby-Utica News | Published November 11, 2024
SHELBY TOWNSIHP — Jill Ballantyne has been named as the Shelby Township Senior Center’s Featured Artist for the months of November and December.
Her display has been set up at the Shelby Township Activities Center, 14975 21 Mile Road.
Ballantyne grew up in Rochester, Michigan.
“Her dedication to art and her passion for natural health have shaped her into an extraordinary individual whose talents inspire everyone around her,” said Colton Heath, Jill Ballantyne’s son. “Her passion for truth trumps all this and is one of her defining features. My mother’s artistic journey began early, with notable achievements even as a child. In seventh grade, her teacher recognized her talent and entered her in an art contest, a pivotal moment that fueled her lifelong love for creation. Her original pieces and unique designs earned her numerous awards, underscoring her innate ability to capture beauty in her work.”
He said that despite marrying young at 19 and raising five children in both Shelby Township and Rochester as well as in Clearwater, Florida, she remained committed to nurturing her artistic skills while balancing her role as a dedicated mother.
“Her raising five children and battling through adversity shows why she is the person she is today. Not many people can take on the burdens of life like she has and still stoke a truthful artistic experience. In Florida, during a transformative period when her husband’s career necessitated a move, my mother discovered her passion for photography. She embraced the emerging digital era, started her own photography business, and quickly became a recognized name, winning national and local awards. Her mastery of photography was complemented by her proficiency in PhotoShop, which she used judiciously to enhance her work without compromising its authenticity. She is the reason I have some top-tier photographs that cannot be rivaled,” he said.
Beyond photography, his mother’s creativity extended into furniture.
“She took great pride in working with glass and wooden frames, refurbishing them with meticulous care. Her innovative technique of reverse painting on glass — a method that reflects light and creates a fresh, custom aesthetic — garnered admiration and became popular among clients seeking distinctive home decor. Her ability to create her own paint medium exemplified her resourcefulness and commitment to originality. What sets my mother apart is not only her talent but also her unwavering dedication to her craft and the joy she finds in creating art that resonates with others,” Heath said.
He said his mother’s art is an extension of her vibrant spirit, embodying her belief that beauty can be found and expressed in countless ways.
“Her work, whether in photography, painting or furniture restoration, has brought light and inspiration to those who experience it. I know this, because I have her art decorating my home, and anytime I have friends over, her work is noticed and admired. Every day as I walk through my home, I am able to enjoy the best her art has to offer. My favorite one is a small oceanfront house, surrounded by trees with a dock and a sailboat in the background. It makes you wish you were in the painting. I don’t think I’ll ever have to redecorate, because it is timeless,” he said.
He said her passion, creativity and commitment to her work make her an exceptional artist and an even more remarkable person.
Amanda Burgess Proctor, the owner of Dee Dee’s Fine Vintage, a home goods boutique in Clawson, said the business specializes in refreshing and rejuvenating old furniture pieces, and in curating items from locally owned small businesses, especially those owned and operated by women.
“Jillian’s artwork is a perfect fit for Dee Dee’s; of course it is lovely to look at, but it also embodies our commitment to reimagining old things to make them new and beautiful. Jillian’s talent for turning reclaimed windowpanes and portrait frames into hand-painted, one-of-a-kind pieces of wall art is truly special. She’s a delight to work with, and I’m so pleased to offer her art at my shop,” she said.