Jill Pottle’s interest in art began at an early age and she continues to find herself excited by it. As a young child, she loved looking at art books that her parents shared with her, especially those that featured Rembrandt. His work “just did it for me,” she said. “I knew that I wanted to make art, nothing but art. It was a safe haven for me, and I immersed myself in it,” she recalled.

That sense of urgency led Pottle to earn a bachelor’s degree at Syracuse University, where she majored in painting and printmaking. Following that she studied art at the Fenway Studios in Boston, established in the early 20th century for emerging artists who were provided with well-lit studio space and the chance to work with other budding artists who could explore each other’s work while nourishing their collective dedication to art. The studios are now designated a National Historic Site. She went on to earn a mas- ter’s degree in painting and printmaking at the Boston Museum School, a Tufts University affiliate.

A recipient of several awards, Pottle has a busy career that includes teaching art in various venues, including the Massachusetts College of Art and Design and the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, Rhode Island. She also lectures widely and conducts demonstrations, often in residencies, and she’s been featured in numerous one-woman shows.