Jillian received a BA Art Education in 1969 from the University of Cape Town in South Africa. She taught in private and public schools in the Cape. She continued her education during summer schools at the Laban Center for Movement and Dance at the University of London. In 1983 she settled with her family in Charlotte North Carolina. Jillian founded the Gifted and Talented Development Center at Queens University in Charlotte and operated summer camps and after school programs throughout the Charlotte Mecklenburg region. In 1994 she opened art schools under license to the Monart Drawing Method, operating seven in the Charlotte and NC Triangle areas. Jillian retired from full time teaching in 2005. She continues to explore painting and mixed media, and teaches part time in the local community of Cary NC.