Jeanine Abels
Featured Artist

Jeanine Abels is one of the artists whom we are exceptionally proud to represent. She has devoted her lifetime to the arts and she has a committed  following, especially in the Midwest, but really around the world.
 
The artist's college experience was in music and four years playing in the Terre Haute Symphony. After college, she married Architect Wade Abels. They have two girls who have families involved in art and music.
 
Attending Tea Ceremony classes at Japan House at the University of Illinois (a birthday gift from her daughter and family), taught by Professor Sato, Jeanine's interest in Asian philosophy and art led her to a Japanese Arts Workshop led by Professor Sato on the northern coast of California. Classes in Ikibana, Sumi e, Tea Ceremony and Calligraphy followed along with a love for Abstract Expressionism. These would form the basis for her future artwork.
 
Jeanine began making cards for several shops when a daughter sent her a card from the Constance Kay Collection. She called New York - Constance said to send samples - and the rest is history. After all these years, she still gets orders for the first card she designed.
 
The card designs led to framed collage that were shown in one- and two-person shows throughout the Midwest. First place awards at art fairs over many summers followed, and in 1999, she was a Regional Finalist in the Illinois Women Artist's Millenium Competition. In 2004, she  was a finalist in the Altgeld Competition. This award led to the sale of four pieces for the Music Building  at Southern Illinois University.
 
Jeanine's uses intense colours, including reds and purples. The Enso, or Circle, finds its way into many designs because of its Zen significance. These words were written by Jeanine during a Tea Ceremony:
 
the colours lay themselves
upon the paper
my hand moves
with their mind.
it is a fragile moment
and time is frozen.
 
This pretty much says how Jeanine's art is made.

Artists in Their Studios

Our talented artists design and produce our artcards in their studios around the country. Some of our artists have been with us from virtual beginning, but they are constantly updating their offerings so that you will always see new. As we review the many submissions we receive, we also occasionally take new artists on.

We love our artists. They are the soul of our enterprise. And, we are honored to present our featured artist. Previously featured artists are still viewable in the artist archives.

Artist Archives