Recently I was invited to present my body of work "Memories of an Era, Reflections of Our Time" to three high school classes studying the Vietnam War.  Yes, high school students are now studying the events of their parents and grandparents lives as "history".  I assembled my paintings in a powerpoint presentation and discussed the events of the war making connections to my paintings and my Dad's photographs from the war.  The teacher was thrilled with the presentation.  The students were interested in the connections they associated with the present wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

 My work deals with my family during the time of the first years of the ground assault during the Vietnam War.  My Dad was a Marine and did two tours of duty in Vietnam. 

I referenced my Dad's early photographs from 1965 and photographs of families left behind for my large format (6' x 4') oil on canvas narrative paintings.  My artist profile and paintings have been profiled on PBS Real Simple Televison, PBS Chicago Tonight and Fox News Chicago.  All of this media attention has been encouraging me to consider the possibilites of making a cultural contribution with my art.

I think as artists we have more to contribute to the national dialogue than decoration.  I have painted my share of still lifes and landscapes in over 30 years of art production.  The work I produced over a 7 year period dealing with the Vietnam War is a subject that is, to many Americans, wrenching and sensitive. As an artist I have found my calling creating art with meaning that viewers respond to in a profound way. 

 Producing art with meaning that resonates on many levels is very rewarding.  Bringing my artwork and story into a local high school's American History classroom certainly opens the onging  dialogue about why art is important in America's schools.

Creating art with meaning that presents the ancient and time honored "narative" genre, may engage students in learning that art is as much apart of human history as that which is presented in textbooks. 

You can learn more about my work at www.soldnerfineart.com or the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum in Chicago, www.nvvam.org, where "Memories of an Era, Reflections of Our Time" will be on exhibit for several more months.

I live near Chicago, so like everyone in the Midwest United States, keeping warm during this exceptionally long winter has been a challenge.  Today my kids had a snow day, and my husband worked from home. We are literally house bound.   Even on the worst winter days,

I usually trek the 15 minute drive to my studio in Crystal Lake.  Today getting out of the driveway, or on the roads, proved out of the question.  There are four large stretcher frames, braced and ready for canvas, that I had hoped to prepare today so I could keep the working on the new oil paintings I have planned.  They will have to wait until tomorrow.

After clearing the snow from the driveway this afternoon, my hsband brought in the mail.  This long drap snow day was immediatly transformed when I opened the March edition of Art Calendar and saw my painting "Scattered Roses" with Jack White's column "Stop and Smell the Roses".  My day was brightended, and I realized that life is full of nice surprise.

I am new to posting my work on line, so to introduce my work I have posted some paintings from a large body of work "Memories of an Era, Reflections of Our Time" on exhibit in Chicago at the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum.  This work has recieved quite a bit of press and media attention.  You can learn more about "Memories of an Era" if you "google" my name, Jeanine Hill-Soldner.

 I am creating a new body of work, which now number 10 large oil on canvas pieces.  I am committed to large paintings that have a strong lycical component.  I also produce work that provides pure enjoyment in the process of playing with ideas and concepts that find expression in my unique visual language. I have also been working  on a series of figurative pieces, using photographs and sketches that I use for reference.  Most of my work is large format, but I also enjoy creating mixed media boxes, 

 Please contact me at jeanine@soldners.com if you are interested in purchasing work or would like to commission a custom painting.  If you want to find out more go to www.soldnerfineart.com

 I have been a subscriber to Art Calander for many years.  I recall the early publications that always held my interest from cover to cover.  Thank you for your committment to artists and for providing easily accesible business information available every month.

Residing in Algonquin, Illinois with my studio in Crystal Lake, Illinois I know the commitment needed to go to the studio and make art every day. I have been in my present studio for about 2 years, previously I moved between 4 studio within 12 years. Previous to these wonderful work spaces, I used a spare bedrrom, as a studio, or when I was in high school my easel and, paints and stool whre in my bedroom.   My art and stduio work is "my life's work."  When I began painting with oils at the age of 12 and acrylics at 15 with Lanier Densmore, of Jacksonville, FL, I was quite aware that the term "artist" would define me and my life.  My childhood love of art, and early exposure to art museums and artist materials fueled my passion.   Art kept me grouned and focused during the  struggles of growing-up in a militaray family during the time of the Vietnam War, with the many moves (8 schools in 12 years) and the constant of being "the new kid in class."

 In late 1999 I began revisiting those times (1965- 66 and 68-69)) when the world was changing, and innocence was lost by an entire nation.  Over rhe course of 7 years I worked on a series of paintings that developed into an entire body of work that represents one year in the life of my family, an American Military family during the early years of the war in Vietnam.  This body of work is titled "Memories of an Era, Refelections of Our Time."  I have exhibit these large format oil on canvas paintings regionally and nationally.  View my gallery to peek at the exhibit.

My artist profile, and "Memories on an Era" have appeared nationally on PBS Real Simple Television, (check your local listings),  PBS WTTW 11 Chicago, Fox News Chicago, and NPR and Chicago Public Radio, and in many newspaper publications.   Presently and until June 08 my work will be on exhibit at the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum in Chicago.  www.nvvvam.org

The works on my web site represent a small portion from 15 years of my more than 35 years of creating and exhibitng art.  I love what I do and cannot imagine any other life.  To create something that could make a difference in the world is an honor that I do not take for granted.  My style is considered very unique, with representation that takes the viewer into a new world that seems familiar.  I am also an art educator with a Masters in Art Education....yes, Art Educators CAN also be successful, artists. 

You can see more of my work and view my work at www.soldnerfineart.com. 

You can view my web site and blog at www.soldnerfineart.com.