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Biography:
Biography:
Janet Schill grew up in the three-river area of Southern Illinois. Growing up surrounded by rivers, buffs and forests there was plenty of time to explore color, texture, and the complexities and beauty of nature, finding these same sensibilities in both abstract and realism in her artwork. Janet received her MFA from Northern Illinois University. She has over 40 years of experience with printmaking, and metal work. Janet’s experience as an artist extends to her work as gallery directory for Expressions Studio, and teaching art privately and with various organizations for many years.
Artist Statement:
In school I trained in drawing, printmaking and metalsmithing. For many years I’ve longed to be able to put all these elements together. Recently, Enameling has enabled me to accomplish this in sculpture and jewelry and art tiles.
My drawings and paintings are multi tooled using a variety of different medium and sometimes elements of printmaking such as screen printing or relief printing on various papers. I also work with silver, copper and steel. Steel is resilient and holds is shape in multiple exposures to intense heat in contrast, copper is extremely malleable and lends itself to forming and shaping. Sliver is better suited for small objects such as jewelry and works well with enameling.
Growing up around the beautiful southern Illinois forests, bluffs and river landscapes, my inspiration is rooted in a deep affinity with nature. Its beauty and complex co-existence draw images from deep within me for which there are no words. Nature’s beauty is both geometric and organic to me. A snowflake’s fractals are as natural and beautiful as the curl and curve of a vine. Expressing its geometric patterns and forms highlights its fabulous mathematical precision. Sharing my conversation through organic element in objects is a spiritual journey for me.
The natural fluidity of liquid enamel is combined with the discipline of screen printings yields a beautiful juxtaposition of chaos and control and reflects well my drawings. I add other enameling techniques such as spraying, painting, sifting, dipping and sgraffito. This coaxes a unique enamel/metal combination impossible to achieve otherwise. When viewing my artwork it is my hope that the observer may be simply present and experience the beauty and balance of the natural world.
Links:
Carlos Cortez 100 ANOS, National Museum of Mexican Art “The seeds you planted Grow”, 2023-2024
Arceo Press, Committed to Print Publication,”Des Menschen #3” 2023
Her Voice, Expressions Studio, “Come on You can say it” 2021
Oak Park Township Senior Services, Expressions Members Exhibit, 2017
Day of the Dead Portfolio, La Calaca Press, 2012
LaCalaca Press International Print Exchange,”Memory”, 2011
LaCalaca Press International Print Exchange, “Boycott Flor de Cana”, 2012
Her Voice, Expressions Studio, “What to Say” 2018
“Masked Up!” Window Exhibit installation, Expressions Studio, 2020
"Her Voice" 4th Annual Art Exhibit, Expressions Studio, 2020: Awards Announcement
Curriculum Vitae
Education:
2023 Continued Education, River Art Adventures, LLC Bend OR
1994-1996 Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, Illinois. Masters of Fine Art. Specialization in assemblage art with printmaking and metalsmithing.
1988–89 Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois. Graduate work in printmaking and metalsmithing.
1987 Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL. Bachelors of Fine Arts. Specialization in painting and printmaking and metalsmithing.
1984 John A. Logan College, Associate of Fine Arts Degree, General Studio. Carterville, IL.
Work and Teaching Experience:
2021-Current Present Plymouth Place, Art Instructor and oversees art room and gallery. LaGrange Park, IL
2010- 2020 Riverside After School Arts: Founders and lead instructor 1st-HS, Riverside, IL
2009 Art &Wine Festival, Screen Printing Demonstration, So. IL Artisan Shop. Rend Lake, IL
2002-2008 Mommy and Me: Ran a weekly arts program for mothers and their children at the Forest Park Community Center.
1996-Current Executive Director, Expressions Studio and Gallery, Oak Park IL
2000 Teachers workshop, instructor for workshop for teachers. Concordia University, River Forest, Illinois.
1999 Oak Park Art League Members Show Invited Artist, group critique leader. Oak Park, IL.
1999 Juror for Oak Park Art League Members Show. Oak Park, IL.
1999 Organized and curated Expressions Studio Small Print Show. Expressions Graphics, Oak Park, IL.
1999 Juror for Art in the Park. Oak Park, IL.
1998–2017 Expressions Studio and Gallery, instructor, organizer and oversaw kids and adult classes
1999-00 Kids Expressions, After school art instructor, Irving Grade School, Oak Park, IL
1998-2015 KidsArt Camp on Harrison Street.
1989 One of a kind wearable art and hand printed printworks, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL.
1997 Instructor, Carina, Creative Arts Program for Children, Oak Park, IL.
1996 Graduate Assistantship, Printing Dept. Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL.
1995-96 Program Organizer, Visiting artist program for Northern Illinois University Print dept. Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL.
1995 Curator and Producer, First Class Mail, Mail-in Exhibition, Jack Arend Building, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL.
1995 Instructor for Beginning Metalsmithing, Creative Arts Center, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL.
1994 Curator and Producer, Art - Works, Ferguson Gallery, Concordia University, River Forest, IL.
Selected Exhibitions:
2025 Small Print Show Expressions Studio and Gallery Oak Park IL
2024 Health in Enamels: Martha Banyas’ Memorial quilt, Metals Museum, 2024
2024 Carlos Cortez 100 ANOS, Aug 13, 2023- Feb 2024 Rubin and Paula Torre gallery National Museum of Mexican Art
2023 Committed to Print, Oct 23, 2023, Prospectus Gallery, Pilsen IL
2021 “5th Annual Her Voice Show”, Expressions Graphics, Oak Park, IL
2020 “4th Annual Her Voice Show”, Expressions Graphics, Oak Park, IL
2019 “3rd Annual Her Voice Show”, Expressions Graphics, Oak Park, IL
2018 “2nd Annual Her Voice Show”, Expressions Graphics, Oak Park, IL
2017 “1st Annual Her Voice Show”, Expressions Graphics, Oak Park, IL
2012 LaCalaca press international print exchange 2012
2011 LaCalaca press international print exchange 2011
2011 “Universal Love” Juried. Handheld prayer bundles. Life Art Center. Chicago, Illinois.
2010 “Expressions Group Print show” Oak Park Rush Hospital. Oak Park, IL.
2010 “Objects to inspire and Heal” 2 Person exhibit. Expressions Graphics. Oak Park, IL.
2009 “Surface Treatment: Expressions of Oak Park Illinois” Group show. Art House, McAllen Tx.
2009 “Art &Wine Festival” So. IL Artisan Shop. Rend Lake, IL
2008 “Kimono Prints” Private show, Expressions Graphics. Oak Park, IL.
2000 “Expressions goes to Montreal” Invitational to Print council of Quebec, Montreal, Canada.
1999 “You have to Work” 2 person show, Concordia University, River Forest, IL.
1999 “Zygote Print Exchange” Juried show Zygote Gallery, Cleveland, OH
1998 “Expressions Graphics Print Works” Juried show, Union League of Chicago. Chicago, IL.
1998 “Women’s Works” Juried show, North West Area Arts Council. Old Court House Arts Center, Woodstock, Illinois.
1998 “Not just adornment” 2-person show. Expressions Graphics. Oak Park, IL.
1998 “Cross Currents” Juried show, Society of North American Goldsmiths. National Ornamental Metals Museum, Memphis, TN.
1997 “Visions” Members Show, West Suburban Artist Guild. Triton College Fine Arts Gallery, River Grove, IL.
1997 “Women’s Works” Juried show North West Area Arts Council. Old Court House Arts Center, Woodstock, IL.
1996 “Metalferious” Alumni Invitational, NIU. NIU Gallery, Chicago, IL
1996 “Cross Currents” Juried, Society of North American Goldsmiths, Shipley Gallery, Gateshead, United Kingdom.
Expressions Studio and Gallery of Oak Park, IL
1997- present Board president or a board member
2018– present Executive Director:, Oversees operations of Expressions Studio
1998 establish Expressions Studio as a not for profit.
Outreach Programs: Helped create an outreach program that brought our printmakers into the community and shared our talents in printmaking. Easter Seals, Sequin, United Cerebral Palsy, Hepzibah, Local Library, Hospitals, worked with OPAAC, ACCOLADE, F.P. Rec. Concordia, Demo at Thompson Building, A day in our Village, Demos and Hands on workshops for public.
Arranged a print exchange with Québec Council Print and arranged a trip for Expressions Graphics members to view work in Montreal 1999.
Exhibitions: Arranged monthly exhibitions for Expressions Graphics studio gallery. Helped with small print juried show, mail in art show, Her Voice, and many more exhibitions. Also oversaw off sight art exhibits for Expressions Graphics members show at Oak Park and River Forest venues.
Created a visiting artist program and helped with their guest edition printing: Nicolas de Jesus, Carlos Barberena, Claude Ameii Villeneuve, Eveline Kolijn, Reynaldo Santiago, Rene Arceo, Dorothea Bilder, Pete Olson, Karen Linduska, Dale Osterle, to name a few.
2018-2023 Oversaw Internships: undergraduate print student; Texas State University Pan Am, also and High School Internship with student from Oak Park River Forest High School and Concordia university.
Print Editions: Dale Osterle, Ben Whitehouse, Bev Keys, Jill Kramer, John Himelfarb, Laura Myntti, Peter Olson, Carol Friedle, Rene Arceo, Carlos Cortez, Claude Aimee Villeneuve, Reynaldo Santiago, Benjamin Varela, Eveline Kolijn, Dorothea Bilder, Bobbie Raymond, and others.
Portfolio’s and Suite of Prints
2023 Carlos Cortez 100 ANOS, Arceo Press and others.
2012 “Pipeline/Borderline”, “People Can’t Drink Oil” Print Portfolio
2011-12 Day of the Dead Portfolio, La Calaca Press
2011 “Unnatural Disasters” Suite of social justice themed prints. Expressions Graphics.
2010 “6x6x6 Portfolio” Small prints portfolio by Expressions Graphics members.
2009 “Threshold of Conversation” Print Portfolio Texas Pan Am University.
20008 “6x6 Portfolio” Small print portfolio by Expressions Graphics members.
2008 “Pipelines and Borderlines” Print Portfolio.
2007 “Bestiary and Nahuales” (Beasts and Guardian Spirits) Arceo Press, Print Portfolio.
Selected Awards, Publications and Catalogues:
2024 Arceo Press, Committed to print.
2010 “art Experience” Cover of Catalogue. McAllen Art Council McAllen, Texas.
1999 Northern Illinois University Graduate Catalogue. Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, Illinois.
1998 Cross Currents, Catalogue, Society of North American Goldsmiths. International traveling Exhibition with catalog..
1997 Women’s Works, Honorable Mention. Northwest Area Arts Council. Old Court House Arts Center, Woodstock, Illinois.
1997 Visions, West Suburban Artists Guild Annual Members’ Exhibition. Theme Award of Excellence. Triton College Fine Arts Gallery, River Grove, IL
1996 Ars Nova, First Place Craft Division. NIU, Dekalb, Illinois
1995 Village Art Fair, Merit Award. Austin Gardens, Oak Park, Illinois.
1995 Art by the Lake, Art Fair, Best of Show Award. Oak Brook Terrace, Illinois.
1994 West Suburban Artists Guild Annual Members’ Exhibition, Theme Award of Excellence. Triton College Fine Arts Gallery. River Grove, Illinois.