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I paint almost every day in my studio, where I maintain a rigorous studio practice. My work is a synthesis of life experiences that have bocome fully integrated into my painting and mixed media art. Making art has been my life's work from my early teenage years. I am restless when at work in my studio, always exploring new expressive possibilites through my unique visual language.

I hold a Bacheors of Art in Art Education from University of Florida and a Masters of Art in Art Education from University of Illinois and have continued my education throughout my life. As a professional aritst and teacher, the best of both worlds come together in my art and my teaching.

I also maintain a turpentine free, lead free, low toxicity, health and safety oriented oil painting studio. Adult and childrens painting classes are available. To find out more about health practices in the studio and classroom log on to the University of Illinois School of Public Health, Health in the Arts Web site at http://chicagoartistsresource.org/visual-arts/node/15316 or download the paper I presented at the 2003 Health in the Arts Conference at UIC, http://www.uic.edu/glakes/ce/seminars/hrts/soldner
there are also links to many web sites that provide valuable information concerning healthy and safe product choices and their uses in the art studio and classroom.

Visitors entering my studio will find paintings and mixed media works in various stages of progress. I am always thinking and writing about my work with a strong emphasis on connecting ideas and experiences of everyday life. History, literature, music, my worldwide travels, and the vastness of human creativity throughout time influence my work.

The National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum in Chicago has exhibited my largest body of work, "Memories of an Era, Reflections of Our Time". The 16 large paintings that comprise "Memories" are availabe to museums as a travelling exhibition. Visit the web site at http://www.nvvam.org/ for information.

Watch my web site and blog for upcoming group and solo exhibits. My paintings are for sale and I love to create one of a kind commissioned paintings. Please contact me for details.


Class News: Painting Classes in Oils or Acrylics
Ages: 13 to adult
Level: Beginning to advanced
Registration every 6 weeks with the next class beginning Monday October 6, 2009
Wednesdays 4:00- 6:00 pm Cost 120.00 - 6 weeks
Tuesdays 10:00 am- 1:00 pm Cost 170.00 - 6 weeks
4:00 pm - 6 pm Cost 120.00 - 6 weeks

All classes are ongoing so and are held in my large inspiring studio.


I am a State of Illinois Certified, Continuing Professional Development Provider (CPDU),
(Professional Teacher Training)
Complete CV listing past teaching experience and more than 100 juried exhibits,
available upon request.
Please contact me if you are interested in arranging for a teacher in -service for your school with an emphasis on integrating art into the curriculum .

I am a public speaker with experience in film making and seminar presentations on art related topics.

Check out my new YouTube video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qa7hTtgjgCg

Stephanie Fosnight, who is an award winning freelance journalist for Pioneer Press, contacted me last week for very pleasant phone interview. Stephanie was interested in my paintings that are now on exhibit at the Barrington Area Library. The story was published in the Arlington Heights Post, on June 25. You can read the article on the following link.
http://www.pioneerlocal.com/arlingtonheights/entertainment/1629846,entertainment-nwlake-soldner-062509-s1.article


My artist profile about my largest body of work to date, "Memories of an Era, Reflections of Our Time" has been airing around the U. S. on PBS Real Simple Telivision for two years now. You can view it on You Tube at the following link:
jhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxWozxGQTe8

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Portrait detail



Tuesday, January 29, 2008

"Attached Kimono" 36" x 60"

This is one of my favorite paintings. I painted it in 1997 and still love it as much today as when I painted it. I used an heirloom kimono as reference. The painting represents the the actual size of the child's kimono, which is my younger sisters. My Dad sent kimonos home while he was stationed in Okinawa while I was a young child. My kimono is peach in color.. This painting sold recently and I am so pleased that someone else will enjoy the beauty of this painting as much as I have.

Monday, January 21, 2008

"Flag Tokens" oil 12" x 12" and mixed media 36" x 18" Exhibit at Curtis Gallery, Lake in the Hills, IL


These are oil on canvas and mixed media works, that represent the American Flag, but in a silightly different context than we ususally think of "old glory". I was born and raised on and around military bases in the Southeast and Hawaii. The flag was a powerful symbol in my life. For many years, I have been exploring the various forms the flag can take, yet still be recognizable.

Curtis Gallery at Curtis Professional building in Lake in the the Hills, IL is a new venue for area artists to exhibit thier work. I have enjoyed the opportunity to show some of my work in this spacious building, and want to thank John Curtis for making this new gallery space possible.
You can visit http://www.curtisgallery.net/ for more information.

Monday, January 14, 2008

"Second Hand Witness" 72" x 24" Oil Detail

I read the newspaper almost every day because I like to know what is going on in my community and the world. My childhood was defined by world events, and I have lived in England and traveled extensivly throughout Europe, South Asia and Japan. I feel a connection to the global community, and this is reflected in my work.

Imagine my surprise on Friday January 25, 2002 when I opened the Chicago Tribune and found my painting of the front of the Tempo section. I was exhibiting in the "September 2001" at the Chicago Atheneaum in Schaumburg with about 100 other Chicago artists. The painting is 72" high and 24" wide, this is a detail. You can see the entire painting in my studio.
Most of my work is lyrical, with a strong naarative element. There is continuity in my art making process connecting the formal with the sensory elements of art. Woring with a full palette provides me the opportunity to continually explore the expressive possibilites of color. The colors of life are in my work, and on my palette. I love what I do and it shows im my work. There is great joy to be experienced in creative process. Color is only one element in the vastness of artistic expression.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

New Drawing 2


New Drawing 1


New Drawings


Thursday, January 10, 2008

"Memories of an Era" at Lkeside Legacy Arts Park, Crystal Lake, IL


Saturday, January 5, 2008

The Alps in Summer 48" x 72" triptych



The commissioned painting for Dr. Deane Schmidt's orthontist office has returned to my studio for a coat of varnish. I photographed this view of the Italian Alps from the window of a tour bus while traveling through Europe during the World Youth Day 2005 pilgrimage.