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.

Call and Respond: From Atemisia to Freda at Oakton Community College

I finally sent off my entry for the upcoming juried exhibit at Oakton Community College's Koenline Museum of Art. The theme for this year is a challenge for artists to respond to the work of an influential woman from the past. I have posted my entry titled "Self Portrait in My Studio" and measures 48" high and 36" wide.

I am referencing the sixteenth century Italian artist Sofonsiba Anguissola. She was the first woman artist to gain international celebrity. She began training as a painter at a young age and her many self-portraits are also unique to sixteenth-century Italy. Sofonsiba was a pioneer of female self-portraiture, the first to show their pride in their talent. She became a renowned court painter, and was the first woman artist to have left behind at least fifty paintings as a well defined body of work.

I look forward to the exhibit and will enjoy seeing the way that other artists have interpreted the art by the women that we have to thank for paving the way for us today. I'll post photos of the event after I attend the opening reception in October.

Installing the 27th Annual Workshop for Contemporary Artists Show

Here are just few snapshots of the artists that comprise Workshop for Contemporary Artists. Pictured are Alice White, Judith Nahill, Nancy Seidler, Patricia Brutchin and Pat Tanner. We always enjoy the process of hanging the show, it is a team effort and we try to create a harmonious show with every artist showing their work in the best way. I have been in the art group for the past 13 years. I have learned so much about art, friendship, and life through these wonderful ladies.














I will post photos from the reception which is scheduled for Saturday August 27, 6:30 - 9:00 pm. at the Old Courthouse Art Center located on the Historic Woodstock Square, 101 North Johnson Street. The show runs from August 11 through September 28and the gallery phone number is 815-338-4525. We are also showing with Claymirth Pottery and the Northwest Area Arts Council sponsored Real People National Exhibit.

Three Shows in One Month

This month has been very busy for me with exhibiting my work in three different venues. In previous posts you have views of the show "Honoring and Remembering" at Northern Trust Bank in Chicago. This show has been on exhibit since early July and has received excellent reviews and a few press features. I will pick-up the work after the deinstallation at the end of the month.
The second show was installed on August 2, and is pictured in these photos taken at the Elgin Art Showcase, an alternative venue that attracts a broad audience. This is a solo show, so I took the opportunity to exhibit some of my work from a few years ago. When I look at my work from the past few years I find it very rewarding that there is a cohesive flow from one body of work to the next. I have loads of work, and continually create new paintings and drawings, but I find there is change and growth as each year of work comes into being with virtually a life of it's own.
When I have an opportunity to exhibit my work I will usually say yes. I love the process of hanging a show and seeing the work come together in a new space. I always price the work and expect that there will be some interested buyers. This is the "icing on the cake" for an artist, to exhibit their work in as many shows as possible, the final cherry that makes it all come together is a load of interested collectors buying the art.
In the following post I will include photos from the third show this month, the annual Workshop for Contemporary Artists 27 Annual Exhibit at the Old Courthouse Art Center in Woodstock.

Capturing Sparkling Light Through Water in Chicago

I take a lot of pictures as reference for my paintings and drawings. I arrived early in Chicago before I was to present an art program for the Vet Art Project at the Chicago Cultural Center so I went to Millennium Park to see the wonderful sights at Crown Fountain. This was one of the hottest days of the summer, and in the City the heat is intensified by the radiant sun reflecting from the skyscrapers onto the street. The coolest and most refreshing location in Chicago is a Crown Fountain. I took off my shoes and just started taking photographs. I was delightfully surprised when I viewed the results of light and water radiating from above onto the humanity seeking refuge from the sweltering heat. This is just one from the collection. This is one of four photos that I have on exhibit in "Backstory" the annual Workshop for Contemporary Artists show at the Old Courthouse Art Center in Woodstock.

"Honoring and Remembering" on exhibit in Chicago at Northern Trust Bank for July and August

I'm showing 14 portraits from "Portraits of American Veterans" with the National Veterans Art Museum in a show titled "Honoring and Remembering" at Northern Trust Bank in downtown Chicago located at 50 S. LaSalle Street.

"Honoring and Remembering" will be on exhibit for the months of July and August. There will be an artist reception in August, I don't have a date yet but I will post it when it as soon as I know. Below is a brief description from the press releases that I sent out. I'll post more on the show soon.

This Chicago exhibit is groundbreaking in scope, and the first art exhibition that brings together the art by veterans from the NVAM with the paintings and stories about veterans by Ms. Hill-Soldner. All artworks from the NVAM have been created by artists who are veterans of wars from the Vietnam War to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The National Veterans Art Museum is the only art museum in the world that focuses on artwork created by veterans, and is locate at 1801 S. Indiana Avenue in Chicago.

More Portraits in Progress

As I continue painting the portraits I have discovered the most relaxed approach to the painting process. This is John Roach, he's a US Navy veteran who served three tours of duty in Vietnam. John was raised in military family so we had a lot to talk about before the portrait began. As you can see from the photos I have posted, John is a direct individual. His direct gaze was something that I wanted to capture in the painting. The next step in the painting process will be to loosely lay in the jacket, shirt and tie. I don't draw on the canvas before painting, instead I proceed directly with the oil on canvas. I find this brings a direct and fresh approach that is reflected in the power of the finished painting. I will post the progress of John's portrait as it develops. By the way John is the 19th veteran in the "Portrait of American Veterans Project". Also I always paint the glasses after the portrait is almost complete, so check back and see how John looks with his glasses. I will contact the 20th veteran soon and schedule his portrait session.

New Class and Workshop Schedule for My Studio

Understanding Color: Teens to Adults Starting Thurs. June 16 Thursdays 10:00- 1:00, 6 weeks sessions. 180.00 Acrylic I love color, I love the storied history of artist pigments and love to teach students about pleasures of understanding color. Learn to set-up a full color palette, mix and explore color relationships, paint nomenclature, mediums and brush work, we will create a painting on canvas. Materials list provided during registration. Minimum 4 students.

Life Model Workshop : Adults Only : Sunday June 26, 10 am—3pm $45.00 A professional model will provide one 5 hour pose in Jeanine’s spacious and inspiring studio. Easels, tables, coffee. Bring your favorite art media and hone your figure rendering skills in a friendly and supportive working artists studio. Bring a sack lunch, beverages will be provided. Minimum 5 participants.

Monthly Saturday Group Creative Sessions: Call and Schedule a Creative Break Many have requested that I offer process oriented art sessions. Focus on process and thePleasures of creating with art materials that will enrich your life like nothing else can. Make time for yourself and friends to recharge your creative batteries and make a beautiful work of art. $175.00 / 3 hours / 5 students/ materials included. Teens to adults.

My Project Has Been Approved by Fractured Atlas!

BIG NEWS

I have been approved by Fractured Atlas: " Portraits of American Veterans Project has been approved by our Board of Directors and is now active. Welcome to a vibrant community of artists and organizations who are critical contributors to the creative sector's vitality, autonomy, and innovation!"

To Learn more about Fractured Atlas and how you can contribute to my fund raising and grant seeking effort to raise funds so "Portraits of American Veterans Project" will get the money needed to move the artworks and veteran's stories around the U.S. in a traveling exhibit, and a book.

“Portraits of American Veterans Project” is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions for the purposes of Portraits of American Veterans Project must be made payable to Fractured Atlas and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Please send contributions to Jeanine Hill-Soldner, P.O. Box 7234, Algonquin, IL, 60102. Checks should be made payable to Fractured Atlas, with “Portraits of American Veterans Project” in the memo line. Send electronic donations to Fractured Atlas Portraits of American Veterans Project.

Information links: Fractured Atlas
Portraits of American Veterans Project
Jeanine Hill-Soldner Fine Art

Thank you!