The art world is mourning the loss of local artist Jill Booth after her health had suffered some challenges in the past couple of years. She was 87 and had lived in the Douglas Shire for more than 30 years.
  
Jill was a story teller. Using paints and brushes, she told stories about the Australian landscape, about its vastness, its oceans, mountains and beaches.

Through oil and acrylic painting ideas, she brought to life Great Barrier Reef pictures showing the excitement of coral spawning, colourful tropical fish, the beaches and islands scattered throughout, the drama of weather events, ocean currents and people’s interaction with Nature.

She trained as an artist in Perth, including art teaching, which she practised within Australia and overseas.

She managed her family’s galleries of fine art in Port Douglas for 10 years before turning her attention to developing a range of designs for application to art prints, silk scarves and other merchandise.

Daughter Virginia Norris said her mum had a great working relationship with former Douglas Shire Mayor Julia Leu during her years at council and was incredibly supportive of the Go Troppo festival events that Jill ran, and also a large collaborative exhibition held at the Tanks.

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“We are having a private cremation, but will have a memorial service in January,” said Virginia.

She is survived by two sisters and a brother (the vet Dr Rick Fenny of Red Dog fame and Desert Vet TV series), two daughters, five grandchildren and one great grandchild.

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