Copyright  Jeanine Hill-Soldner  2019 All rights reserved.

Charles McHenry

US Navy, WWII, Korea

(1925-2011)

Dyip G. Louie

US Army, WW II

(1925-2013)

Bert Notheisen

US Army Air Corps

(1923- 2013)

Bill Cullerton

US Army Air Force, WW II

(1924- 2013)

Honoring and Remembering

Six  veterans that I have come to know passed away since their portraits where painted.  I am deeply saddened, yet  eternally grateful that I witnessed their stories and had

the honor of telling their stories in portraits.

Dan L. Hill

US Marine Corps

  WW II, Korea, Vietnam

(1928- 1993)  The Artist’s Dad

“Portraits of American Veterans Project”

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 Veterans with photographs and stories about their service. 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 20th to the 21st Centuries. The lives of these men and women were defined or shaped by their experience during war or while serving in the military.

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. Photographs are taken during the painting process, these 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.

Exhibitions:

2009 , 2010 Lakeside Legacy Arts Park. Crystal Lake,

2011 Algonquin Area Public Library, Algonquin, IL

2011 Northern Trust Bank, Chicago, IL

2011 Shah Center, McHenry County College, IL

2011 Ela Area Public Library, Lake Zurich, IL

2012 Lake/McHenry Veterans Center, McHenry, IL               

2012-13 GE Cultural Fine Art Gallery, Fairfield, CT

2013 McHenry County Mental Health Board Lobby

2014 Addison Village Hall and Library, Addison, IL

2014 Algonquin Area Public Library

2014 “Welcome Home” Open Wall, Chicago

2015 Algonquin Area Public Library

2016 Portraits and Memories: Legacies of Service, Lakeside Arts Park, IL

2018  Algonquin Area Public Library, Algonquin, IL

2017

“Portraits and Memories; Legacies of Service”

National Veterans Art Museum

4041 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL

August 24- October 28

Reception: Friday, August 24, 6-9 p.m.

Please contact me to schedule a viewing of the Portraits of American Veterans or to book an exhibition of the paintings.

jeanine@soldnerfineart.com

Thank you

   Anna Hauge   US Navy WWII    (1920-2019)