Artist Talk at Lake Bluff Park District for Lake Bluff Art League

Artist Talk:
Monday May 3, 2010
7:00 p. m.
Lake Bluff Park District
355 W. Washington Ave
Lake Bluff, IL 60044

Join artist JEANINE HILL-SOLDNER
as she shares with you her painting process and oral history project that is the foundation for the “Portraits of American Veterans Project” that she began in August 2009 and exhibited in November 2009 in the Sage Gallery in Crystal Lake, and will exhibit again in November 2010 in the Sage Gallery when she plans to exhibit 20 new portraits with the veteran’s stories..

Info: 847-668-1503 (Sandie)

"Slivers of Light" now available in limited edition print

There has been a lot of interest in purchasing prints of this large oil on canvas painting. I now have 20" x 30" inkjet prints on archival watercolor paper for sale. These are priced at 125.00, unframed. Please contact me if you would like to purchase a print. 224-522-4068.

Portrait close-up

I took time to complete the portrait of Julie in my studio. Her eyes are clear, intense and wonderful to paint. Each face is different so I approach each portrait with a fresh palette and attitude. There is an element of discovery with each portrait, how am I to reveal the individual character of the person. Revealing the person within the paint and pushing the media as far as I can, makes the portrait an exciting and always challenging subject.

Julie's Portrait

This is how the portrait of Julie looks after about 2 hours of work, with lots of distractions.


Last night was First Friday, and Art in Action at Lakeside Legacy Arts Park. Amber Larson, artist and owner of Creative Artistry School of Art, brought all of the resident artists, and teachers together to share their art process, and to promote their classes. My friend and fellow Lakeside resident artist Julie Tomaso, and I worked together the way artists have for centuries. Julie was my artists' model while I painted her portrait in oil on canvas.

The Sage Gallery was certainly not a traditional studio setting, so I arranged a few props from my studio for a "virtual studio". My paintings are on at the far end of the Gallery, so that is where I set up my "stage". I wanted visitors to feel as if they were peering into a working artist's studio. I found the process to be a lot of fun, and full of challenges. Julie was a great model, whose quiet repose contrasted the crowded and noisy gallery.

I have demonstrated my painting process to students, and in public for many years, so this evening provided me with a chance to revisit the rigors of demstration. I took some photos of Julie, and will complete the portrait in my studio.

I have found that when you try new ways of presenting your art and consistently define yourself in the most positive light, growth occurs on a personal level that others naturally respond to. This for me is very rewarding.

"Creating a life in the any of the arts requires courage." Georgia O'Keefe

Phil's Portrait

Phil is a Vietnam Veteran who visited my studio in January for his portrait. I've known Phil, his wife Wendy and their daughter Brittany for many years through our kids who were in the same class at St. Margaret Mary School. Phil spoke on many occasions about his background as a Veitnam Veteran. I am honored that he found the time to share his experience and stories with me and now these will be part of the Portrait of American Veterans Project.

Portrait of Virgil Mathis

Virgil Mathis viewed his oil portrait for the first time on Wednesday night at the Chicago Cultural Center. I attended a Vet Art Project program and was so glad that I took three of my completed paintings. Virgil was overjoyed with the painting. As you can see his kindess and strength are evident in his face and strong hands. This was one of the most rewarding experiences that I have encountered in my work as an artist.
By the way if you check out my Youtube channel you can see me in the process of painting Virgil's portait in my studio.

Portrait of Sharon, My Little Sister

My youngest sister, Sharon, is an Air Force Veteran, she is the 6th veteran for me to paint. She came to Chicago recently for a visit from her sunny home in Hastings, Florida. We enjoyed our time together and shared old family stories. She also shared her story about her time in the Air Force while stationed in the Phillipines during the Phillipino civil war in the early 1980's. We spent a day in my stuio while she sat for this portrait. I am very pleased with the progress on this piece, and found it to be the most rewarding of all of the portraits I've painted so far.
The next veteran I will paint is Phil. He is a Vietnam veteran and he too has stories, and memories of his war experience. Phil visited my studio two weeks ago, so I have a good start on capturing his character on canvas. I'll post his painting as it progresses.