Winter Workshop in My Studio with Sandie Bacon

Here's a view of my studio with my daughter Michelle in the foreground and across the room Noreen and Sandie are working on pages for their handmade book.

Michelle and Sandie working on monoprints that will be added to the pages for their book covers.

Sandie's work in progress showing her beautiful collage and painting design skills.

These are my works in progress.  I had a lot of fun and discovered some new ways to work with acrylic media and collage.

This is Michelle's work in progress showing her vibrant use of color and design.

Noreen was a busy artist today creating a number of beautiful highly textured mixed media pieces.

This photo was taken from my studio window.You can see how cold and snowy the day was.  We were all warm and happy in my studio while we created new and beautiful artworks.

New Workshop by Sandra Bacon from Golden Paints

"Staight Up Chicago: Art With a Twist"

My painting "After the Storm" is oil on canvas measuring 24" x 36" and will be on exhibit through November at the SIP Cafe located on Southport and Irving Park in Chicago.  This promises the be a fantastic show with art by some of the best artists in Chicago. I want to thank Sandie Bacon for curating and hanging the show. Below is the amazing invitation. 

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My Painting is on Exhibit for Chicago Artists Month

"Run on Crown Fountain" oil on canvas, 48" x 36"

'm showing my work during Chicago Artists Month with the Chicago Women's Caucus for Art at Southporth and Irving Cafe, 4000 N. Southport the artist reception is Wednesday Oct. 9 from 6:00 to 8:30. I am showing "Run on Crown Fountain" 48" x 36", it's part of my developing body of work about Chicago. Stop by for a drink, enjoy the art and meet the fabulous artists.

Exhibition Calendar Summer/Fall 2013

 One of my new oil paintings "Fragmented Reflections"  measuring 48" x 60"  will be on exhibit with the Workshop for Contemporary Artists in our 27th annual group show during August and September at the Old Courthouse Art Center in Woodstock. My work is moving in a new and exciting directions, I'm anxious to get into the studio each day and discover new was of depicting the ever changing world we all share.

August 2- September 24

Gallery Artists Exhibit “Showing Off”

Tall Grass Arts Association

367 Artists Way, Forest Park, IL

Reception: Friday August 2, 7:00-9:00 p.m.

August 8 -September 28

Workshop for Contemporary Artists Group Show

Old Courthouse Art Center,

101 N. Johnson St., Woodstock, IL

Reception: Sat. August.24, 6:00– 9:00 p.m.

August 8 -September 28

“Real People” National Exhibition

Old Courthouse Art Center,

101 N. Johnson St., Woodstock, IL

Reception: Sat. August.24, 6:00– 9:00 p.m

September 29

Art in Nature Plein Air Day

Crabtree Nature Center

3 Stover Road, Barrington Hills, IL

Time 10 a.m.—4 p.m.

November 1– December 1

Solo Small Works Show

Cook St. Coffee, 100 E. Station St. , Barrington, IL

Artist Rec.: TBD

My Painting Was Juried into the Real People 2013 Exhibit

"Summer Splash Chicago"  oil on canvas 40" x 60" exhibiting in Real People 2013, at the Old Courthouse Art Center, Woodstock, IL, July 8- September 29, Artist reception: Saturday August 24, 7 pm

 

 

The second large painting from my developing body of work that looks at the playful side of life in the downtown public areas of Chicago.  I have an affinity for water and light, having grown-up and lived in near the beaches in the Southeast part of the U.S. until 21 years ago when I moved to the Chicago area with my family.  There are now 7 large oil paintings (the first in the series sold)  that depict crowds gathering during the heat of the summer at Crown Fountain located in the heart of Chicago in Millennium Park.  I love the light dancing off the figures and the hazy mist around the edges of the spraying water.  I want the viewer to feel as if they are there in the moment enjoying the sounds and sensations with cool water and intense light.  A moment frozen in time. 

Delivering a Sold Painting to Berlin

I finally delivered "Summer in the City, Christina" to the collectors from Berlin.  Rather than crating in a heavy wooden box and shipping the painting through a standard carrier which would have cost around $800, I took it with me to Italy via  Florence.  I first removed the canvas tacks and took the painting off the stretcher bars, thus I was able to wrap the painting in plastic and roll it around the disassembled stretcher bars.  This made for a long, rather bulky bundle bit it fit into a long heavy duty shipping tube which made it easy to carry.   I checked the painting through baggage like a set of skis and paid $125. for the additional fee.  The painting arrived in Florence safely and I was able to present it to Carlo and Yvonne who drove from Berlin to Florence.  The painting made it's way safely to Berlin where it was re- stretched and is now hanging in the music room where the family will enjoy the painting and the memories of their visit to Chicago.  I love it when I can make my art a part of people's lives.

"Summer in the City, Christina" is oil on canvas and measures 48" x 36".  I sold it to collectors in Berlin.

New Summer Newsletter

I haven't posted anything new in quite some time.  I enjoyed a two week stay in Tuscany with my husband Keith and our friends Yvonne and Carlo from Berlin.  I will post the photos when I have chance to sort them.  In the meantime I'm getting back to the studio and scheduling new shows and classes.  Please see upcoming exhibits for this summer and early fall.

 I've posted the painting that I will exhibit in the Northwest Area Arts Council Members Show to be held this June.  Of the two paintings depicting a snow scene I chose the strongest of the two compositions below.  I found this to be a lot of fun to paint, and by changing the original background into to a vast snowy landscape I feel as if I am outside on a freezing winter day.  The title is "After the Storm" and features my son Alex while shoveling 2 feet of snow from our front walkway and driveway after the blizzard of 2011.

Two ways of composing a painting with the main element and focus in the left foreground. 

"After the Storm" oil on canvas, 24" x 36"

SUMMER 2013 GALLERY/ MUSEUM EXHIBITS       

March 5– May 31

“Portraits of American Veterans Project”

McHenry County Mental Health Board Lobby Gallery

Dakota St., Crystal Lake, IL

June 6– July 28

Art Al Fresco Invitational Exhibit

Old  Courthouse Art Center,

101 N. Johnson St., Woodstock, IL

Artist Rec.: Sat. June 15, 3:00 p.m.

June 6– 30

NAAC Members Show

Old Courthouse Art Center

Artist Rec. :Saturday June 15, 3 p. m.

August 8 -September 29

Workshop for Contemporary Artists Group Show

Old Courthouse Art Center,

Woodstock, IL

Artist Rec: Sat . Sept. 29, 6:00– 9:00 p.m.

September 29

Art in Nature Plein Air Day

Crabtree Nature Center

3 Stover Road, Barrington Hills, IL

Time 10 a.m.—4 p.m.

November 1– December 1

Solo Small Works Show

Cook St. Coffee, 100 E. Station St. , Barrington, IL

Artist Rec.: TBD

Lakeside Legacy Arts Park,

401 Country Club Road

Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Ongoing exhibit of rotating work in a variety of sizes.

Return to the Basics in the Studio

Onion still-life vignettes painted from fresh vegies in the studio.

My art has gone in many directions over the years, and in recent months the subject of my paintings has been deep, and very meaningful.  More about that will follow when my latest commissioned painting is complete.  In the meantime I briefly returned to a basic subject for painters, the still-life.  I've placed a pedestal in the corner of my studio where I can set-up objects as still-life to study and paint, a relaxing and easy format for me.  The most recent subject happens to be onions, garlic, and shallots.  I love their natural colors and the way they seem to move and split apart with organic and varied surfaces.  I kept the onion still-life in my studio for about three weeks while I gradually completed the 7- 8" x 8" oil paintings.  After the third week, and the paintings completed,  I arrived in the studio early in the morning, when I opened the door the smell of the onions was so strong and smelly that I had to cover my face.   I promptly gathered them in a basket and took  them out of the studio.  Did you know that Chicago is a Native American word that means "smelly onion"?  Anyway the onions are gone now, but the paintings remain.
The "Onion Vignettes" will be on exhibit the "Art Al Fresco" show at the Old Courthouse Art Center in Woodstock, IL, this summer. 

Intalling the Portraits of American Vetereans with Alex and Barbara

In early March my son Alex was home from Southern Illinois University on spring break, this was  perfect timing for him to assist me in the installation of 16 paintings from Portraits of American Veterans Project at the McHenry County Mental Health Board Lobby/Gallery in Crystal Lake.  The space is great for showing art and thanks to Barb Iehl, Community Outreach Coordinator for the MCMHB,  there is a professional hanging system that shows off art at it's best.

Here's Alex, I'm so glad he's tall and can reach the top of the hangers for adjustment.  This is the hall off of the main lobby.

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Alex and me with two of the portraits.

Here I am with Barbara Iehl in front of portraits depicting my sister Sharon and Anna Hauge.

The exhibit was in place for a workshop on Friday April 5 for Behavioral Health Specialist from the Northwest Chicago region who work with Veterans.  The presenters for the day where highly esteemed members of the National Guard, Marine Corps who work with the special needs of Veterans.  I spoke briefly about my work at the beginning of the day long workshop.  I learned a lot and met some wonderful people who do so much good in our communities.  I am grateful that my work is showing where it will be seen by many people who may rarely if ever have an opportunity to view original art.
"Portraits of American Veterans Project" will be on exhibit at the McHenry County Mental Health Board through May 2013.  

JEANINE HILL-SOLDNER FINE ART: Art in Action Was a Great Success

www.lakesidelegacy.orgJEANINE HILL-SOLDNER FINE ART: Art in Action Was a Great Success

Art in Action Was a Great Success

This is Ginny Howley, my lovely model for Art in Action on Friday March 1st you can see the most recent portraits for "Portraits of American Veterans Project" behind Ginny.

Here I am working on Ginny's portrait.  I stared the portrait from life in my studio on the day before, and took a couple of photos because I knew I would have a lot of interested viewers that wanted to discuss my process and Ginny is a Docent in the Historic Dole Mansion do she was not seated for the entire 3 hour event.  I will complete the painting later with Ginny visiting my studio so I can capture her lovely face from life.

After the event all the tables and easels where removed I took a photo of my new work on exhibit in the beautiful and cavernous Sage Gallery.

This year Art in Action was a great success for the Lakeside Legacy Foundation and all of the resident artists who call the wonderful art center home.  I was busy with my painting demo and meeting all of the wonderful visitors and never had a chance to visit my studio, which was open for visitors.  Thank goodness my husband, Keith was stationed in my studio to greet visitors and explain my work.  It looks like I will get a few commissions and some new students from the event.  I am so grateful to the Board, Staff and fellow artist at the Lakeside Legacy Arts Park, it is truly a magical place!

Art in Action: Passport to Creativity March 1, 2013

You are invited to one of the biggest events of the year on First Friday, March 1,
 Art in Action: Passport to Creativity,
 Artists, Art, Music, Food, Drink, Fun, and an incredible array of creative activities await 
in this dynamic artists community where for over 7 years I have enjoyed creating art.
Visit:  Lakeside Legacy Arts Park, 5:30-8:00 p.m.
  I will be there with my new work on exhibit while I demonstrate oil painting from life,
studios will be open so stop by and bring some friends to get your creative buzz. 
I can't wait!!!

My Painting Featured in McHenry County Magazine

Artist Showcase: Jeanine HIll-Soldner

I am thrilled that my painting of Christina was chosen by McHenry County Magazine for the very first featured artist story.  The painting is oil on canvas and measures 48" x 36" and is featured as a full page spread.  This was a great way to start 2013 and I hope to continue with more new and exciting work.

Here's the copy from the magazine:

Jeanine Hill-Soldner, Algonquin • “Summer In Chicago, Christina”
"Christina" is an oil on canvas that depicts the artist's cousin playing at Crown Fountain in Chicago on a hot summer day.
It has been exhibited in several galleries and is part of a larger collection of paintings that
depict people playing in the parks in downtown Chicago.
To submit an entry to Artist Showcase, email artwork, title of piece, name and village of residence of artist, and a two- to three-sentence description of the piece to mchenrycountymagazine.com, subject head “Local Artist Submission.”