I asked Strodtman what her favorite piece is, and she said it was her painting of the McConnell Hardware building. I’m a HUGE fan of portraits of buildings, where so much history and life can be put into a picture of an immobile place. She said she painted it from a photograph of a hardware store in Colorado. “My maiden name was McConnell,” Strodtman said. It’s such a beautiful piece, with hard, crisp lines and a delightful contrast between the yellow and brown building and the dark shadows cast inside the windows. “It was one of 64 picked from 2500 by AT&T for their calendar. [It] Did not make the calendar. I donated it to Heartland Museum in Clarion, Iowa. It hangs in the Blacksmith area.” Even though it wasn’t picked for the calendar, what an honor to have come so close!
It’s no surprise after seeing her Hardware store painting that Strodtman mentioned Edward Hopper (an American realist painter) as one of her artistic influences!
Strodtman defines Art as “…creating something, with any part of you.” What a great yet simple way to put it! It doesn’t matter what medium you are using, or if you use your hands vs your feet or the rest of your body – or even using your mind, like with concept art. It leaves it open for music, writing, dance, and anything that you can dream up to make into art. Well said!
She never went to school for art, but she says she was very lucky because a friend asked her to join her (the friend’s) art group. “They met in Dorothy Timmon’s basement with ISU professor, Richard Heggen.” Strodtman told me. “Did this for years and then longer meeting in the basement of Mary Lou Wright.” Strodtman was also allowed to sit in another art teacher's class at ISU, without being officially enrolled. Fun fact, both Timmon and Wright were active Iowa Artists.
Her advice to artists just starting out? “I don't accept that you can't do something if you have not tried to do it. You might be surprised.” Excellent advice! I know a lot of artists who have found their signature style or niche, but there are many others (myself included) who like to get their hands into all sorts of different mediums and love trying new things with their art.
“I have created pictures since I was small,” Strodtman said. “[I] Wonder sometimes if I would have kept my sanity during Covid, if I had not painted. Dick Heggen said that you reach a great point and then go downhill. He was right… I don't really care. I love painting.”
I love Jeanine's work. She is also a great encouragement to other artists.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment!
DeleteJeanine has been a friend for years. She has such a positive attitude and shares it so well. Envious of her talent.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I was able to share her artwork here! :) Thanks for your comment!
DeleteOne of my favorite people at IA.
ReplyDelete