Revisiting Still-Life

I haven't posted in quite a while so I thought I would share a few view of my studio where new work is always in process.  Each day presents a new beginning for the process of creating new work and completing works in process.  There is a continuum at work, a never ending cycle that takes me back to precious times when I began painting in my youth.  This past winter and spring I revisited my earliest painting subject matter of still life, something that I actually detested when I was a student and continue to find boring at times.  Surprisingly I found it quite relaxing and although I would not choose to paint "still objects" every day, I may take time occasionally and simply meditate on the process. 
 I have a very full exhibit schedule coming up this summer and will post all the info when I have the details.  

Celebrating Women's History Month with "Women's Works"

It's that time of year again to celebrate women and their outstanding achievements in the history of humans on earth.  March is Women's History Month and as you have read in my previous posts there are many reasons to celebrate the accomplishment of women.  One of the is the 25th Annual Women's Works Exhibit that has been taking place in McHenry County, IL for, well, 25 years.  The Workshop for Contemporary Artists, pictured above started Women's Works as a small local exhibit for local female artists to show their artwork to the public.  There was an absence (and still is to this day) of opportunities for women to exhibit their art in galleries and museums across the world.  The original members where instrumental in helping women artists find a place to show work that might not be part of the male dominated art scene, but was of the highest caliber.  To this day Women's Works provides a venue for the best art in the world to exhibit in the beautiful and historic Old Courthouse Art Center in Woodstock, IL.  I am honored to be a member of the founders of Women's Works and hope that the groundbreaking work by women in art will continue to find a place to show their art.

Creating Visual Narrative Through Portrait Painting

While working on the paintings of each veteran for Portraits of American Veterans Project there are many choices to be made. How will I depict the individual and tell their story utilizing the visual language.  One of the most effective narrative elements for my process involves universally recognized symbols. In the case of the veterans' portraits the most powerful symbol is the American flag, the old stars and stripes.

National Veterans Art Museum Celebrates International Women's Day With Women Veterans Art Exhibit

NATIONAL VETERANS ART MUSEUM CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY WITH WOMEN VETERANS ART EXHIBITION

Overlooked / Looked Over features work based on artists' experience as women in the military

(un)clothed and in her right mind - Iris M. Feliciano

Chicago, Ill. (February 2012) – On Saturday, March 10, 2012, the National Veterans Art Museum (NVAM) will host the opening of Overlooked / Looked Over, a new exhibit featuring work by eight women artists who are veterans of the U.S. military. Admission to the NVAM will be free all day with light refreshments offered from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Artist and curator talks will take place between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.
The show's opening is timed to coincide with the centenary anniversary of International Women's Day. Annually on March 8, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements. All around the world, women are connected by activities ranging from business conferences and networking events to local women's craft markets and theatric performances. The exhibit also highlights National Women's History Month.
Overlooked / Looked Over responds to the growth in numbers of women joining the military, which has soared over the past decade. Iraq War veteran and curator Erica Slone notes that women currently comprise 14.5% of active duty military and there are 1.8 million women veterans; yet there has been little research to date on how contemporary military culture and war affects women. "Through Overlooked/Looked Over," Slone says, "I intend to shine a light on the unique experiences of women during service, in war, and as veterans."

Self-Portrait - Emily Yates

According to Slone, the concept for Overlooked / Looked Over is taken from a quote by the late American actress and sex symbol Mae West, "I'd rather be looked over than overlooked." Slone states, "Depending on one's own definition of feminism, Mae West could be either the quintessential feminist or anti-feminist. Her statement, however, presents a false dichotomy of attitudes about women, and the coexistence of these polar attitudes toward women is exacerbated within our armed forces."
Artists in the show include Victoria Robillard Bryers, a retired veteran with thirty years service in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves; Iris M. Feliciano, a Marine Corps veteran; Maggie Martin, an Army veteran and field organizer with Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW); Robynn Murray, an Army veteran and subject of the documentary film Poster Girl; Joyce Wagner, a Marine veteran and board chair of IVAW; Emily Yates, an Army veteran; Regina Vasquez, a Marine Corps Veteran and founder and executive director of the Fatigues Clothesline Project; and curator Erica Slone, an Air Force veteran.
The opening reception on March 10 is proudly co-sponsored by the Chicago Women's Caucus for Art and the Chicago Chapter of The Transition Network.
The show will be open to the public from Wednesday, February 29, 2012 through Memorial Day 2012. For more information, visit the museum's website at www.nvam.org.
About the National Veterans Art Museum
Formerly the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum, the National Veterans Art Museum is dedicated to the collection, preservation, and exhibition of art inspired by combat and created by veterans. No other gallery in the world focuses on the subject of war from an artistic perspective, making this collection truly unique. The National Veterans Art Museum addresses both historical and contemporary issues related to military service in order to give patrons of all backgrounds insight into the effects of war and to provide veterans an artistic outlet to work through their military and combat experiences.
The National Veterans Art Museum is located at 1801 S. Indiana Avenue, Third Floor, and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets are $10.00 general admission and $7.00 seniors and students. Admission is free for veterans and active military and their dependents. For group admission reservations, call the Museum at 312/326-0270.
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Members: Free
General: $10
Students & Seniors: $7
Schedule a Tour:
Phone: (312) 326-0270
Fax: (312) 326-9767

Busy Spring with a Full Exhibition Schedule

http://www.rockfordartmuseum.org/

This painting is barely dry, I had so much fun with this 48" x 60" oil painting depicting Crown Fountain in Chicago.  I am exhibiting this painting in the Sage Gallery at the Lakeside Legacy Arts Park in Crystal Lake and will be included in the Art in Action event that is planned for March 2.  I have included a list of the newest exhibit that I will be showing my work in this Spring.  I hope you can take some time to visit one or more of the galleries and see the works.

January 17– February 26

“Revolution 2012”

Jackson Junge Gallery,

1389 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL

Artist Reception: Friday January 20, 6-9 p.m.

March 1– 30

Celebrating Women’s History Month

Chicago Women’s Caucus for Art Invitational

Northern Trust Bank, 50 S LaSalle, Chicago, IL

Artist Reception: March 1, 3:30– 5:30 p.m.

March 1– 30

Art in Action, Resident Partner Artist Exhibit

Sage Gallery, Lakeside Legacy Arts Park

401 Country Club Rd., Crystal Lake, IL

Artists Reception:  First Friday March 1, 5–9 pm

 

March 8– April 29                                                                                                              

Women’s Works International Exhibition

Old Courthouse Art Center

101 N Johnson Street, Woodstock, IL

Artist Reception: Sat. March 24, 6-9 p.m.

April 13– May 10

“Chicago Spring” Chicago Artists Invitational

Fine Arts Building, 2nd Floor

401 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago

Artists Reception: April 13, 5–9 p.m.

May 18- September 23
Rockford Midwestern Biennial
Rockford Art Museum
711 North Main Street, Rockford, IL
Artist Reception: Sat. May 18, 6 - 7:30 p, m. 

New painting in the "Portraits of American Veterans Project."

Spring 2012 is starting out with a a full schedule of exhibits, classes and a new "Portrait of American Veterans Project" hero.   I am so honored that I have been asked to continue the PAVP with the 21st portrait of US Army veteran  Ken Coats.  Ken is a Vietnam Veteran and a Chicago native whose service in Vietnam and life story is one that I am honored to represent in my project.  Ken's Dad and Son also served honorably in the Army.  His Dad served in WWII and was a career Army officer while his son served in the Army during Operation Desert Storm.  Ken told me that freedom is not free, it is up to the citizens to serve in the military to protect our freedoms that most Americans take for granted.  Thank you Ken and your family for your sacrifices.  I am working to complete the painting which will include the three generations of Veterans and Ken's numerous medals.

My Work Chosen for "Revolution 2012" at Jackson Junge Gallery in Chicago

"50 Stars Buy 2 Get 1 Free"  acrylic on canvas and CD cases on board measures 63" x 37".
Also above is the street view of my work through the window of the Jackson Junge Gallery.

           I am thrilled that my work was chosen for the "Revolution 2012" exhibit at the

Jackson Junge Gallery in Chicago.  I have been working on mixed media art for many years, but have few opportunities to exhibit the work.   When I read the call for art for "Revolution 2012" I knew that I had a piece that I want to complete and enter.   I'm always intrigued with the things that are a part of our every day world and represent, in my mind, a larger statement about the time they were made.  This is the first of many more mixed media works that I've been working on and hope that I have more opportunities to exhibit, and sell them.  Below is the press release that provides more info about my work and the exhibit. 

 Algonquin resident, artist Jeanine Hill-Soldner, will exhibit a large mixed media art work titled “50 Stars, Buy 2 Get 1 Free” in the “Revolution 2012” juried exhibit at the Jackson Junge Gallery in Chicago.  Ms. Hill-Soldner is owner of Soldner Fine Art Studio located in the Lakeside Legacy Arts Park in Crystal Lake.  The Artist is best known for her oil paintings that comprise the large body of work “Memories of an Era” and “Portraits of American Veterans Project”.  The work in “Revolution 2012” represents the Artist’s use of mixed media such as canvas, acrylics and CD cases to create new and exciting and many times revolutionary artworks. The artists’ statement reflects upon the current trend in US corporations to “outsource” jobs and manufacturing in order to increase their profits and improve their “bottom line”.   This practice employs cheap foreign laborers to produce products that are then sold in the US for very cheap prices.   In the process the stockholders and corporations become wealthier while thousands of US workers lose jobs thus the title “50 Stars, Buy 2 Get 1 Free”.

  “Revolution 2012” is based upon the current events of the occupy movement that has been brought to Chicago, among many other cities worldwide.   This exhibit hopes to invoke ideas and imagery of where this revolutionary movement will lead us in the year 2012.   Being an election year, the emotions of change will inevitably be at the forefront of the media and general public.

Artists will show artwork that gives their artistic interpretation on what this revolutionary movement brings to the attention of the general public.  Some occurring themes might include: Change, End Corporate Greed, Tax Fairness, Economic Inequality, Class War, Stop Foreclosure and Stand Up For the Middle Class.  Interpretive art pieces with political, environmental, moral or socially relevant tones will be on exhibit.