Jill Trenholm Presents Jirina
Jirina is not a common name, at least not among my friends and acquaintances. So, when the notice came that Nina Macheel would be unable to do a presentation at the Oysterville Schoolhouse tomorrow and that, instead, we are all invited to “Meet Jirina” I thought, “I’ve met someone named Jirina. But where? Who is she?”
I called Diane Buttrell who is the organizer of the Fall Lecture Series at the Schoolhouse and when she began talking about Jill Trenholm, I knew. Of course! Jirina is a charming storybook character – and so much more – that Jill has created. I have, indeed, met Jirina and many of her friends, as well, right in Jill’s Ocean Park studio.
Jill, in case you don’t know her, is truly a Renaissance woman. As she says on her website: When I was young, art took ahold of my right hand. Music took ahold of my left. They’re always trading places but have never let go.
Jill Trenholm
She is a performing singer/songwriter (she’s one of our House Concert alums), an artist (painter, sculptor, designer, illustrator), writer, and educator. Plus she is an extraordinary chef – just ask any of last September’s pilot group of Willapa Bay AiR residents for whom she prepared three meals a day for an entire month. There were rave reviews from everyone.
But in that instance, Jill was just “filling in.” Her passion and focus right now is Jirina. She has just launched Book One: The Rescue, the first in a series of six illustrated children’s books which make up Jirina’s Journey. It is just the beginning of a whole world of wonderful characters which will “come to life” through a line of products Jill has designed.
The most intriguing aspect of all, to me-the-writer anyway, is the fact that Jill has imagined and created an entire world and long ago envisioned how she would develop and present the story of Jirina. Talking with Jill about Jirina sheds a whole new light on the creative process. At least it did for me.
Jirina
Jill’s audience at tomorrow’s Schoolhouse Lecture is in for a real treat. Her talk begins at 10 a.m. and is free (suggested $3.00 donation) to the public. You’ll love meeting Jill… and Jirina!
Ohmygosh, Sydney!
You amaze me; delight me, serve my cause generously.
Thank you.