featured artists

Jeanine Abels work has been shaped by her interest in Asian philosophy and traditional Chinese medicine.  The great necessity for balance in life and art is expressed through the use of textured papers and colors.  Jeanine is intrigued with the feelings of playfulness and happiness.

She began collecting Asian papers long before she actually combined them with watercolors and   acrylics in collage.  A chance meeting with a book called “The Empty Mirror” began her interest in Zen in all the arts.  The study of Tea Ceremony and Sumi painting with Professor Shozo Sato at his Asian Arts Studio in California deepened Jeanine’s interest in Zen and art.  A love of textures, forms and the use of colour to express emotions came together in the medium of Collage.  Jeanine hopes some of the joy she feels in making the art comes through to the viewer.

HONORS:

Jeanine Abels has been awarded numerous awards at art festivals.  She was a finalist in the 2004 Altgeld Competition.  That honor resulted in the purchase of four of her pieces by Southern Illinois University for their Music Building.

In 1999, Jeanine was a regional finalist in the “Illinois Women Artists in the Millennium”.  This competition was sponsored by the Illinois Coalition for Women in the Arts. 

Jeanine’s work has appeared in the hardcover edition of “Art Rockford” and a body of her work was featured in TC Style Magazine.

ONE AND TWO PERSON SHOWS:

Illinois Artisan Shop – Featured Artist

Peoria Art Guild

Springer Cultural Center, Champaign, IL

The Contemporary Art Center – Checkered Raven Gallery, Peoria, IL

Illinois College, Jacksonville, IL

The Deerpath Gallery, Lake Forest, IL

Chicago Street Gallery, Lincoln, IL

Towne Gallery, Chillicothe, IL

Exhibit “A” Gallery, Peoria Heights, IL

The Art Cards are carried by Nieman Marcus, Fortnum and Mason of London, The Garlic Press, Bloomington,  Princeton University Art Museum, Art in Hand, Boston, MA, Nuvo, Dallas, TX, & Paperworks, Milwaukee, WI.