By Debbie Silva
As Ottawa 67’s fans clamour to get to their seats, Jill Alexander, surrounded by her art, exudes a sense of calm in the bustling Civic Centre.
Alexander, the official artist for the Ottawa 67’s Hockey Club, describes herself as a wild woman with a brush.
“Winter in the Capital” is a series of works by Alexander, an Ottawa born-and-raised artist. The artwork is on display until Dec. 22 at Irene’s Pub, located at 885 Bank St.
Alexander, who is married to a hockey fan and has raised two hockey players, was initially reluctant to accept her role as a hockey mom.
Although she has painted a wide variety of subjects, including what she describes as “flowers with an attitude,” she now enthusiastically channels hockey into her art.
“I live with three males who have no appreciation for flowers. They’re all hockey fans, so if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.”
Someone suggested she incorporate the 67’s logo into one of her works and send it off to the team’s owner. She did and a contract followed.
It’s Alexander’s third season as the official artist for the Ottawa 67’s. Fans can drop by her booth at the Civic Centre to look at her artwork and see her paint as the home games progress.
Sharon Johnson, who is in charge of art showings at Irene’s Pub, first saw Alexander’s work at the Foyer Gallery.
“What I find interesting is that she has a number of different styles so when you look at a body of her work, there’s a range of things.”
Johnson says, “One thing I admire about Jill is she is willing to give things a try.”
Alexander attributes the diversity in her work to suggestions. “One person will say something innocently and that triggers something in me and I’m off on the next thing,” she says.
A chance meeting led her to begin painting personalized locker room prints for minor hockey associations.
Players can get their number and name on the artwork, after Alexander has painted the initial scene and incorporated the team’s logo.
Alexander took one year of formal art instruction, from which she graduated with honours from a commerce art program at the local Adult High School,
“Basically I am self-taught, but I’m kind of sticky about that, I guess I don’t want to be influenced by someone else’s technique,” she says. “I hate rules.”
Six years ago, as a result of a major illness and surgery, Alexander gave up her job at Micheal’s Arts and Crafts Super Store and dedicated herself to her art.
“I’m a detail person so I get really carried away with that. I work a lot of swirls into the design because that represents giving up my retail job to be an artist, which was really scary,” says Alexander.
“It’s like a rollercoaster and you’re hanging on real tight because you don’t know where you’re going or what’s going to happen but it’s also exciting.”
She’s experimented with pottery wheel throwing, stain glass and cake design.
However, her love is painting. She enjoys using acrylic paints because they allow for a more intense colour.
Terry Sametz, president of the Foyer Gallery, says Alexander has been a member with the artist-run gallery for the past three years.
“She has the ability to connect with the viewer which is really important,” says Sametz, “Jill’s got an individual and unique colour sense.”
Lately, she’s been incorporating Ottawa’s architecture and landmarks into her art.
She is also experimenting with landscapes, which she says is a challenge because she is limiting her use of details, something which figures strongly into her winter scenes.
Alexander has also illustrated two children’s books, which should be in bookstores by Christmas.
“Jill’s a strong storyteller, so obviously that’s one reason the audience gravitates toward her work,” says Sametz.