Jill was born and raised on the Kerkhoff family farm near West Lafayette, Indiana. She came from a family of makers. Woodworking, painting, sewing and crafting of almost any kind was the common interest of many of Jill's relatives, including both of her grandmothers and her maternal great-grandparents, all of whom she enjoyed spending time with while growing up. Her early interest in creating pictures and objects was encouraged, and after high school, she attended Ball State University as a Fine Arts Major. In the fall of 1997, Jill took her first throwing class. By the end of the semester, she realized clay was the medium she truly connected with.
Jill graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, specializing in Ceramics. Soon thereafter she migrated to the sunshine of Phoenix, Arizona. She continued to develop as a potter at the ‘Desert Dragon Pottery Studio’ in North Phoenix, refining her throwing skills to develop the control needed to produce the easy shapes she was drawn to. A style developed that conveyed comfort and movement, and she began participating in local craft fairs and charity auctions.
Jill currently lives in Goodyear, Arizona where she shares studio/shop space with her husband and two pampered cats. She maintains a strong relationship with Desert Dragon Pottery Studio where she makes regular use of their glaze studio and gas kiln. Jill’s regular patronage of customers from events, direct sales, and her virtual showroom keep her busy throughout the year.
