About

Hello! I’m Jillian Hawkins, a West Michigan based henna artist. Art has always been an important part of my life and I’ve been doing henna as a hobby since I was a teenager. After graduating with a BFA from Aquinas College and working a few non-art related jobs, I picked up henna as a side gig in 2012 so that I could get more art in my life. Over the years, I’ve gone through different phases of balancing henna, parenting, homesteading, and other work to pay the bills. I currently have a part time day job working with children in environmental education, but I still make time to take clients at the GR Lash Boutique, set up at public fairs and festivals, as well as private parties and bridal clients.

I value the rich, widespread history surrounding henna, as well as the new traditions forming through the melding of cultures. Attending conferences, and taking time to learn and network with my community of other artists has been valuable and incredible for my growth as both an artist and as a human being. Henna is a ancient, beautiful, and intimate art form that brings people together and makes them feel beautiful, and I am completely, head-over-heals in love.