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.”

Missing Painting "Snapshots and Memories" Found

 










Yeah!!! During the cataloging and crating of art from the extensive collection at the National Veterans Art Museum the staff came across a large crate in the back of the archives, my painting was inside. Ted Stenuga sent me an email on Friday November 30 and I picked it up in Chicago on Saturday December 1.   Now the mystery is solved and the painting that has been missing for over a year is back home in my studio with the entire body of work "Memories of an Era". What a huge relief! — at National Veterans Art Museum.

Here's the painting without the protective plastic cover.  I am looking forward to finding more venues to exhibit this painting and much more of my art in the coming years.  You can read more about "Memories of an Era, Reflections of Our Time" on my web site soldnerfineart.com.

Press for My Show at GE on the National Veterans Art Museum web site

Artists in the News: Solo Fine Art Exhibit by Algonquin Artist Jeanine Hill-Soldner

The “Portraits of American Veterans Project” began in August 2009 by Algonquin artist Jeanine Hill-Soldner as a continuation of her artwork about war and veterans. This groundbreaking exhibit incorporates original oil paintings of local American Veterans with photographs and stories about the veterans. The Artist’s goal is to create new art about war that authentically depicts and honors the citizen soldiers and Marines that have served in foreign conflicts from the 20^th to the 21^st Centuries. The lives of these men and women were defined or shaped by their experience during war or while serving in the military. After their military service they went on to raise families and build lives in their communities.

A portrait begins with the veteran visiting the artist’s studio in Crystal Lake. The Artist quietly listens as the veterans talk about their military experience, at times, reviving long forgotten memories. These discussions are an integral part of the process before the painting begins. The veteran then poses in the studio for about 1½ hours while Jeanine starts the painting from life. Digital photos are taken during the painting process, which are used as reference for completion of the painting. Meaningful objects such as medals, uniforms, and photographs, chosen by the veteran are brought to the Artist’s studio. The memorabilia chosen to be included are carefully painted to provide key elements in the story telling process. The paintings and stories provide a visual dialogue, and a connection between the viewer and the veterans. This is a healing project that aims to touch all who view the portraits and read the stories from three generations of American veterans.

The Artist has completed 23 portraits to date. Sixteen of these will be on exhibit at the GE Capital Corporate Art Gallery located in Fairfield, Connecticut from November through January in honor of Veterans Day. This will be the first exhibit outside of the Chicago area for “Portraits of American Veterans”, and Jeanine Hill-Soldner is the first woman to exhibit in a solo show in the gallery. The Artist’s work was brought to the attention of GE Corporate Gallery and Valarie Cooper, an Art Consultant who works with GE, by the National Veterans Art Museum in Chicago.

http://www.nvam.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=472:artists-in-the-news-solo-fine-art-exhibit-by-algonquin-artist-jeanine-hill-soldner&catid=111:nvam-in-the-news&Itemid=103

Jeanine Hill-Soldner was born in Quantico, Virginia and raised in a military family. Her father was a 30 year career Marine who served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. He passed away in 1993, and from the loss she began creating new work about war and veterans. She began painting as a child and started acrylic classes at age 15 in an artist’s studio. She then went on to earn a BA in Art Ed. from the University of Florida and MA in Art Ed from University of Illinois and has taught art to all ages. Her work exhibits regionally and nationally, received a number of awards, and has shown in more than 100 juried and solo gallery and museum exhibits. Exhibits include National Veterans Art Museum in Chicago, the Milwaukee Art Museum, Museum of Fine Art Florida State University, and Rockford Art Museum. The Artist’s Profile featuring “Memories of an Era”, her studio, and family history during the Vietnam War was featured on PBS nationally, WTTW Artbeat Chicago, Fox News Chicago and many feature articles including McHenry County Living Magazine.

Contact:
Jeanine Hill-Soldner: Soldner Fine Art Studio, Lakeside Legacy Arts Park, 401 Country Club Rd, Crystal Lake, IL
www.portraitsofamericanveterans.com | jeanine@soldnerfineart.com

Preparing Portraits for Shipment

Last week I was busy apply the final varnish on the 16 of the 21 oil paintings from
"Portraits of American Veterans Project".  I will deliver them to the National Veterans Art Museum where they will be packed, crated and shipped to Fairfield, Connecticut for a three month long solo show at the GE Cultural Fine Art Gallery.   The GE exhibit is the first time for the paintings to travel outside the Chicago area.  I am so excited that my work will reach a new audience and the wonderful stories of the veterans who are part of the Project will reach across the country.  These veterans represent the best of what American can be and I'm honored to represent them through my art.

I've been working with Valerie Cooper  of Picture That L.L.C.  whose professionalism and patience  have helped me to pull all of the complex elements of this ground breaking exhibit together.  Take a look at the GE Cultural Fine Art Gallery to learn more about Picture That, L.L.C.: Promoting Cultural Awareness.

On Tuesday November 13 I will board a flight from O'Hare International Airport and fly to Laguardia Airport in N.Y. en route to the GE Corporate offices for a personal tour of the facility followed by an artist reception, veterans roundtable discussion and I will present a power point presentation and discussion about my work and Portraits of American Veterans Project.  To say I am excited would be and understatement.   I will then fly back to Chicago on Wednesday November 14 after and night stay in a Marriot Hotel.,,,,,All I can say is THANK YOU to GE and everyone who has taken part in the Portrait Project over the past three and half years. 

My Work Incuded in Chicago Artists Month

"Water Reflection II"  oil on canvas  24"X 18" is my interpretation of the fountain and figures as they twist and move in the sparkling reflective water's surface.   This painting is part of my new body of work that reveals my love for the beautiful qualities of the fluid surfaces.  I will exhibit for the month of October with a group of fellow artists and friends in a lovely gallery on Chicago's west side.  Details are below: 

 Small Works Exhibition

 Opening Reception: Saturday, October 6, 2012

 4-8 PM

 Gallery 1837 

 1837 W. Grand Avenue, 2nd floor, Chicago

 Great artwork. Refreshments. Live Music.

 A Chicago Women's Caucus for Art Member's Exhibition 

 http://www.chicagoartistsmonth.org/small-works