Battledress Exhibit and Lt Dan Weekend in Beaufort, SC October 1 - 3, 2010

The Battledress artist reception was held on Thursday October 1 with art on exhibit by women veterans who have served in the US Military. I was honored to be invited to show with these warrior women. The exhibit will now travel with stops in galleries and museums around the country. Follow my blog and I'll keep updating the exhibition schedule.

In the above photo my Mom and I are posing next to Easter Sunday 1965 at the Charles Street Gallery in Historic Beaufort SC. Mom is standing next to the painting that depicts her in 1965 with her friends in front of our military housing at Kaneohe, MCAS in Oahu, Hawaii.

The South Carolina beach from Huntington Island State Park. You can see my husband and father in law (a Vietnam Veteran and retired career US Marine) are seen walking in the distance. My nephew Michael, who is also a USMC veteran was also at the event.

Gary Senise and the Lt. Dan Band performed a free concert for to honor our men and women currently serving and show support for the troops who have been severely injured since 9/11. The concert was held at Riverfront Park. The Beaufort Shrimp Festival was on the same night, serving the best shrimp that I have tasted in a very long time.

This is the start of the Lt. Dan Ride which was held at the Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort. I was in awe ans so inspired at the sight of all of those heroes riding the 11 mile loop around the end of the runway. The entire event brought tears to my eyes as I watched and cheered for these wounded warriors. I felt honored and quite humbled by these men and women who have overcome their injuries. The Ride was hosted by the Lady Island Cycling Club, the Independence Fund and the City of Beaufort.
My husband Keith and I, arrived at the MCAS at 06:00 hrs to help with set-up and I'm glad we did. There was a lot to do and some friendly people to meet.

This is Laura Sellinger, the founder of the Battledress Exhibit, a US Army, Iraq War Veteran. Laura is a strong woman and a delightful person to know. Thanks Laura, you are amazing!

This is the Old South at it's best. I took this photograph from atop a fort constructed during the late 1800's for defense of the river during the Spanish and American War. So much history is tucked into the most unlikely places.

Good night Beaufort, I'll be back next year for the Beaufort Lt. Dan Weekend.

Fall Drawing and Painting Classes with Jeanine Hill-Soldner

Return to Drawing, All Levels, Teens to Adults
Ongoing, 6 weeks, 120.00, Begins October 28, 2010
Thursdays 10:00- 12:00 Rediscover Drawing: Drawing is a singular pleasure, return to the sublime qualities of drawing, accurate rendering of lines, shading, perspective, form, space and volume, with a variety drawing supplies. Subjects: still life, natural forms, landscape, and scenes around Dole property.

Thursdays 4:00 – 6:00 Drawings into Paintings: Take drawings into paintings, accurate drawings, composition, perspective, color relationships, value and harmony develop into a finished painting. We will use pencil, charcoal and acrylics in this fun and challenging class.
ISBE Certified Continuing Professional Development Provider
224-522-4068 jeanine@soldnerfineart.com www.soldnerfineart.com

Studio Notes: My New Painting Cart

This is a great new find for any studio. Stainless steel, lots of space and sturdy wheels.

I move around my studio quite a bit when I'm working, and I usually have more than one painting at a time in process. I prefer studio furniture with wheels, this allows for a lot of flexibility in my work space. The above painting table has been with me for about 10 years and has served well, but it has become quite wobbly from rolling around on the uneven 90 year old floors in my studio. I found a replacement at IKEA. I love the new stainless steel "kitchen cart" the large wheels and workspace is just what I needed. I need functional. I think commercial kitchens have the best furniture for artists, there's no fluff, just solid hard working furniture.

While I'm working I utilize at least 3 wheeled painting tables at a time and 4 easels. All of the carts in my studio are steel and have at least three shelves. I sometimes work with 2-3 palettes and can use up to 20 brushes in one day. I like my easels too, they are wood, easy to move around and have wheels of course. My system may not work for someone else, but after many years of committed studio work I've found this to be the best system for me for now.

Busy Weeks of Art

This is the "Next Wave Artist Salon" in Elgin, I'm glad I was a part of it. The experience was energizing and I met some wonderful people. This is an event I will continue to support!
This is my daughter Michelle posing in front of her portrait I painted from a pic I took of her seated in the window of our hotel in London several years ago. Next to that is my self portrait in my studio painted from life. I have a ton of pics from my travels around the world, one of these days I'll start creating new ways to depict this side of my life in paint. Until then I'll just keep painting.

The past two weeks have been so busy that I'm glad to have a Saturday to rest and recharge. There have been art receptions, all day life drawing at Palette and Chisel in Chicago with Pat and Jackie, life drawing with Valley Art Club, evening parties for an old friend visiting from out of town, driving to Chicago for delivery of artwork to the National Veterans Art Museum for shipment to a show in Beaufort, S. C., and then the next day delivering the shipping crate for the 4' x 6' painting, delivery of artwork (shown above) for a weekend show in Elgin the "Next Wave Artist Salon with a Friday and Saturday reception to attend, then pick-up on the artwork on Sunday, dinner with the Chairman and the Director of the Veterans Assistance Commission and then a presentation of my "Portrait of American Veterans Project" to the Woodstock VFW, and with all of that 3 doctor appointments and 35 hours of painting time in my studio each week.
WHEW! Now I'll come up for air and take a nap.

Workshop for Contemporary Artists 26th Annual Exhibit

The 26th Annual Workshop for Contemporary Artists Exhibit was held last night a the Old Courthouse Art Center in Woodstock, IL. The OCAC has four galleries so there were artists from the Real People Show, Claymirth, and Old Courthouse Figurative Art League with their friends and followers at the reception. This made for one of the best art openings that I have had the pleasure to be a part of. I tried to take pictures, but as with all art shows where I am one of the exhibitors, I would rather talk to visitors and share my art than take pictures of the crowd. So here are a few quick snapshots from the evening reception that was attended by a standing room only crowd.

The members of WCA are myself, Judith Nahill, Nancy Seidler, Lynn Carlson, Patricia Tanner, Alice White, Doris Davis-Gallagher and Rita Kay Halvorsen. Patricia Tanner and I have been members of this dynamic and incredible artist group for 14 years. The other members have been showing their art together for more than 26 years. I love the ladies and our group, they have encouraged me to grow as an artist through their unwavering support.

The Importance of Supporting Fellow Artists

Veronica, Jackie and Jeanine (me) at Pat Brutchin's artist reception on August 6 in the Dole Gallery at the Lakeside Legacy Arts Park in Crystal Lake.

Here we are, three friends and fellow artists attending the artist's reception for Pat's first Solo Exhibit. Pat couldn't be there due to a teaching commitments, so we decided that we would be a welcoming committee for Pat in her absence. There was live music and good food and a number of art lovers in attendance. We had a very enjoyable time and felt good that we could be there for our friend.

I make every effort to attend art receptions for all of the artists I know in the Chicago area. I think it's really important that we support one another and show sincere appreciation for the creative and professional accomplishments of others. I am always pleased to see other artists attending my receptions. Taking the time to attend receptions of other artists I think it builds a stronger artist community. There is a time for being alone to do the soul searching, and roll-up your sleeves work of the artist, and there is the time for enjoying the fruits of our labor. The support of peers in the artist community has always kept the arts alive, and in these tough times we artists need all the support we can get.

So please attend all artists' receptions you can, you could be a spark that keeps the flame of artistic expression burning!