Portraits of American Veterans Project

An Original Project by Artist Jeanine Hill-Soldner

Copyright © 2019 by Jeanine Hill-Soldner    All Rights Reserved

About This Project......


In 2009 artist Jeanine Hill-Soldner founded the Portraits of American Veterans     Project.  This   groundbreaking exhibit incorporates original oil paintings of local veterans with their photographs and stories. The Artist’s goal is to create new art about war that authentically  depicts and honors the citizen soldiers 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 while serving in the military.


A portrait begins with the veteran visiting the Artists’ studio in Crystal Lake.            Ms. Hill-Soldner quietly listens as the veterans talk about their military experience, at times, reviving long forgotten   memories.  The veteran then poses in the studio for two hours while Jeanine starts the painting from life.  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 visual story telling process. The paintings and stories provide a visual dialogue, 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 service members.


Artist Statement:


This project began as a painting to honor and celebrate the life of my Dad, SgtMaj Dan L. Hill.  His  death in 1993 from prostate cancer left me with a need to tell his story.  Dad was a 30 year career U.S. Marine and served in WWII, Korea and two tours in Vietnam. From this loss I created a large collection of oil paintings “Memories of an Era, Reflections of Our Time” have exhibited at the    National Veterans Art Museum in Chicago, GE Corporate Gallery, Fairfield Connecticut, and other venues around the country. The overwhelming and heartfelt responses from veterans and their families to my work  compelled me to create the “Portraits of  American Veterans Project” to honor all those who serve in the U. S. Military..   

Six Veterans I painted have died during the past three years. I am saddened by the loss yet eternally grateful  and honored that I witnessed their stories and  painted their portraits.   I have been forever changed and feel humbled by their sacrifices.



“Honoring Our Heroes in Portraits”

McHenry County Living Magazine

“For most subjects, PAVP is a deeply personal journey full of reflection and introspection”

Erica Burke, Managing Editor








“The future of our Armed Services and the future of our country will be integrally linked with how we take care of our veterans." —George Washington



The Portraits of American Veterans Project is a collaboration with the Vet Art Project Chicago.  www.vetartproject.org

Current  and Recent Exhibits:


2020

Portraits and Memories”

Lewis University

One University Parkway

Romeoville, IL


“Portraits of American Veterans”

Water Street Studios Gallery

160 South Water Street

Batavia IL


2018

Algonquin Area Public Library

2600 Harnish Drive

Algonquin, IL


2017

National Veterans Art Museum

“Portraits and Memories: Legacies of Service”

4041 North Milwaukee Ave., Chicago


2015
November 1- January 4, 2016

Algonquin Area Public Library

2600 Harnish Drive, Algonquin, IL


November 6- 13

McHenry County College

8900 US 14

Crystal Lake, IL 60014


Ongoing Rotating  Exhibition


Veterans Assistance Commission Office

McHenry County Administration Building

Woodstock, IL



   


Contact Jeanine

Jeanine Hill-Soldner Fine Art   

                                                       

“Portraits of American Veterans: A Continuing Dialogue”      Sage Gallery November 2010         Photo by Chris O’Neil