A Special Day for Veterans at Truman College

Pictured: Adam Navarro Lowery, Jeanine Hill-Soldner, Suellen Semekoski, Matt Olsen and Pres. Reagen F. Romali at Truman College in Chicago during the First Annual Veterans Resource Fair at Truman College.

I have been very behind on my posts. "So much to do and so little time" I couldn't let the year end without mentioning the wonderful event that Veterans Services Coordinator Adam Navarro Lowery organized for Truman College. The event was held on November 9, just a few days before Veterans Day. I was honored to help to set-up the tables and easels to display art by Veterans who have participated in the Vet Art Project. I also provided a few paintings of mine that had exhibited at the National Veterans Art Museum and therefore represented the NVAM. Suellen Semekoski was there and explained to visitors about the Vet Art Project and gave out materials to those who were interested. The Warrior Arts Studio was represented by one of the founders Matt Olsen. I also enjoyed meeting the President of Truman College Reagen F. Romali. President Romali told stories from her life while living and working in a oppressive Communist country. Her genuine commitment to educating Veterans for the work force certainly provides a welcoming environment for member of the Military who want to further their education and find jobs.

I look forward to participating in more art programs with the Vet Art Project. Thank you Adam for bringing all of us together for a valuable and well planned day.

"Portraits of American Veterans Project" on Exhibit at two Venues for November

Ela Area Public Library Exhibit.

Shah Center McHenry County College Exhibit.

I am showing the Portraits of American Veterans Project Exhibit at the following venues during the month on November. I am honored that my art work is on view in public places where the public is free to spend time looking at the paintings and reflecting on their stories. I have chosen to exhibit the paintings and provide an opportunity for the visual dialogue to emerge from the painting itself without additional descriptive text. I believe this allows more time for the viewer to look and consider their own personal experiences and stories.

I will present an Artist Talk with a Powerpoint program at each exhibit venue. I have found the presentation to be a powerful way to share the personal stories of each of the veterans. Thus the stories and paintings become a living oral history project that elicits participants to revisit their stories and share the experiences of the veterans in their families and communities.

November 1- December 18, 2011

“Portraits of American Veterans Project”

Shah Center McHenry County College

4100 W. Shamrock Lane, McHenry, IL

Artist Talk/ Reception: November 18, 4:30- 7:00

www.shahcenter.mechenry.edu

November 1-30, 2011

“Portraits of American Veterans Project”

Ela Area Public Library

275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich, IL

Artist Talk/ Reception: Sun. Nov. 20, 2:00- 3:30

Pillars of Honor: A Day of Honor: Nov. 19, 2 pm

The Chapel, Lake Zurich (next to the Ela Library)

www.eapl.org Info: (847)438-3433

WW II Nurse Anna Hauge's Story by Tim Frakes

Anna Hauge Story by videographer Tim Frakes

Missing Painting

In early June I loaned the painting on the right, "Snapshots and Memories" which measures 6' x 9' x 1 1/2" , for an undetermined period period of time to a local non-traditional exhibition space. At the time of the agreement and delivery of the painting I exchanged some paperwork and a business card with the individual who received the work. I unwrapped the paintings and placed them where I was told they would be installed. This was a large open foyer with a reception desk and lots of natural light from large windows. There were other works of art in the corridors of the building so I felt comfortable about the exhibition space.

I took pictures of the space and my work before installation for my records. Sadly the camera containing the photos was stolen from the artist tent at the Lakeside Fest in early July. So I don't have a visual record to provide me with clues as to the location. The paperwork must have been misplaced when I moved my office from one room to another in my house. I don't have a scrap of written record about the exhibit space.

I've been searching for a week for the painting and I have to locate it by Wednesday and deliver it to the National Veterans Art Museum in Chicago for shipment to a corporate gallery on the East coast. If you have seen my painting or can provide me with a clue as to it's whereabouts please send me an e mail asap. jeanine@soldnerfineart.com Thank you in advance!

I'm Exhibiting in "Element Flux" at Jackson Junge Gallery in Chicago

During the month of October for Chicago Artists Month I am showing 4 oil on canvas paintings at the Jackson Junge Gallery in Chicago. This is an amazing show and I am thrilled to be a part of it. I am also showing at the Tom Robinson Studio Gallery during October and will present an Artist Talk on Saturday October 15 from 4:30- 6:00.

October 1-3 Chicago Artists Group Show

“Element Flux”

Jackson Junge Gallery

1389 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Chicago, IL

Artist Reception: Friday Oct. 7, 6:00-9:00

Twenty Portraits of American Veterans, New Look and New Shows

I gathered all 20 completed portraits on my studio and found it challenging to hang all of them together at once. However, it was worth the time and effort to bring them all together like a gathering of friends. They all seem to be silently communicating their stories to one another with the eyes and gestures. I'll be creating some new promotional materials from the photo to let everyone know about upcoming exhibits.

In the future the Portraits of American Veterans will no longer be exhibited with the large, cumbersome, overdone profiles that appeared with the paintings in past exhibits. Most exhibition spaces are not large enough to show all of the paintings, much less the additional profiles. I will create new brief information cards that will not take up valuable wall space or distract from the paintings. In another words, the PAVP is moving into the next level of professional level presentation. There will be a notebook with the exhibits, providing freshly edited biographical info about each of the veterans. This will clean-up the overall look of the show and focus the viewer on the veterans and their images.

New Classes and Workshops Coming this Fall

As the end of summer has approached it's time to think about the Fall and Winter art class sessions in my studio. I've been intensely focused on the "Portraits of American Veterans Project" for the last two years, with the 20th painting completed last month. Now I am turning my studio time over to new work and some new classes. I will continue developing the PAVP, moving into the writing, research and promotional phase with a few more portraits to add in the following months. I will post the new works as they are completed.

CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

Oil Painting: A Fresh Approach Class: Adults and High School/ College

Thursdays 5:00 –8:00, 6 weeks sessions. 180.00 Begins 9/ 15- 10/27 (no class 10/6) I have taught this class at the Fine Line School of Art in St. Charles. Set-up a full color palette, mix and explore color theory, paint nomenclature,mediums and brush work, we will create a painting on canvas. Learn healthy alternatives to toxic solvents (no turpentine) while creating original and beautiful paintings. Materials list provided during registration. Minimum 4 students.

Portrait Painting Workshops: Adult Saturday Oct 1 & 8 , 10 am-3pm $120.00 A professional model will provide one 5 hour pose in Jeanine’s spacious and inspiring studio. Easels, tables, coffee. Bring your oils or acrylics and be ready to focus on understanding the skills required to capture the likeness of the model. Bring a sack lunch, beverages and snacks will be provided. Tuition includes model fee. Minimum 4 students.

Teen and Children Classes:Classes for teens will be posted soon, please check my web site or stop by my studio for info.Contact me to schedule a group art class for young children. BSA Qualified Merit Badge Counselor

Contact me if you are interested in a presentation in your classroom or for your civic group or artist meeting.