My name is Jill Sneed.

I am a watercolor artist and printmaker based in rural Iowa, where I work from my home studio surrounded by nature on a six-acre property. My work is inspired by antiques, natural forms, photography, folklore, and fragments of childhood memory.

I am drawn to overlooked objects that carry evidence of use, history, and human presence. I am equally fascinated by the folklore woven into everyday life—the stories, superstitions, and symbolic meanings that have long connected people to plants, animals, and treasured objects. Through careful observation and attention to detail, I transform ordinary subjects into intimate portraits that invite viewers to slow down and reconsider the beauty, history, and quiet mystery found within the mundane.

Both my watercolor and printmaking processes begin with drawing and close study of the subject. Whenever possible, I work directly from the object itself, allowing me to respond to subtle shifts in light, texture, and form while preserving the character that first drew me to it.

In printmaking, I use both relief and etching techniques, creating hand-pulled prints through a slow and deliberate process of carving, etching, and layering ink. In watercolor, I build transparent layers of color gradually over time, allowing the image to emerge with softness and depth.

Through both mediums, I hope to preserve a sense of memory, intimacy, and reverence for everyday objects while hinting at the folklore and symbolism they carry. My work invites viewers to consider how ordinary things can become vessels for personal history, shared traditions, and the stories that quietly shape our understanding of the world.