Work Juried into BWI Exhibit #26, "Colors of the World"

I'm very happy to announce that the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County (ACAAC) has selected all three submissions entered into the upcoming BWI Thurgood Marshall exhibit 26, “Colors of the World." The show will run July 22–November 14, 2019, with an opening reception on Wednesday, August 22 at 5pm. The exhibit can be viewed in the ACAAC exhibit space between Concourses C and D in Departures.

Pieces juried into the show include Overture on Blue, Unfolding, and Observe: Ants—Accidental Planters.

"Self-Nurture" Selected for "Arts in Healing" Collection

Conceptual illustration of a woman as a flower, growing from the dirt, and watering herself in an act of self care.

Self-Nurture
©2017 Jen Sheckels
Mixed media (acrylic, watercolor, oil, and colored pencil) on illustration board

I recently had the good fortune of having a piece purchased for the permanent collection of the Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery at the Inova Schar Cancer Institute of Inova Fairfax Hospital.

The Arts & Healing Program at the Inova Schar Cancer Institute, a department of Inova Fairfax Hospital, is a collaboration with the Smith Center for Healing and the Arts, and uses art in its many forms to help support people in treatment and recovery and their loved ones. This innovative program includes a robust permanent art collection and ongoing exhibitions, performing arts events, and other workshops.

The Institute's Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery was dedicated on July 8, 2019 with a special reception. Though I was unable to attend the reception, I’m honored to have my work serve as a source of respite and hope in healing for both those in treatment as well as their loved ones.

Finding the Extraordinary in the “Ordinary”

Observe: Honey Bee to hang in the 6th What's Up? Media Exhibit in Annapolis, Md.

"Observe: Honey Bee," 2018,
Mixed media on illustration board
© Jen Sheckels

The Arts Council of Anne Arundel County has selected Observe: Honey Bee to show in the 6th What’s Up? Media exhibit, The Ordinary. The exhibit will be on display at What’s Up? Media’s Corporate Office starting Friday, August 17, 2018, with an opening reception to be held Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at 5:00PM (RSVPs required). The exhibit runs through December 13, 2018.

Observe: Honey Bee is a full color study for a picture book concept in development entitled Observe!.

Stay tuned for more details as the project develops!

“Bugs” Are Out and About!

"Tachinid Fly," 2017,
Mixed Media on Watercolor paper
© Jen Sheckels

New exhibit showcases work from the Beneficial Bugs series

Three pieces from my Beneficial Bugs series have been accepted in the F.R.I.E.N.D.S Exhibit at Chesapeake Arts Center in Brooklyn Park, Md. The show runs the entire month of August in the Center’s main gallery. A closing reception is scheduled for Friday, August 31, 2018 from 6–8 p.m. after which the show will be taken down.

On display are Praying Mantis, Wheel Bug, and Tachinid Fly (featured).

Work Selected for "Beautiful America" Art Show at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport

Storm Clouds at Dawn
View From 6th Street series.
©2016 Jen Sheckels
Mixed media (acrylic and pastel) on Ampersand board

I'm very happy to announce that the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County (ACAAC) has selected Storm Clouds at Dawn for the BWI Thurgood Marshall Exhibit 23, “Beautiful America." The show opens to the public on July 11, 2018 and can be viewed in the ACAAC exhibit space along Concourse C, near American Airlines (pre-security). The show runs through November 7, 2018.

Recent Illustration Juried into Local Art Show

I'm very happy to announce that my piece, "Observe: Accidental Planters" was juried into Pyramid Atlantic Art Center's upcoming Annual Members' Exhibition this summer! 240 pieces were submitted, but only 46 made the final cut. This is a great boost to my continuing development of Observe, a wordless picture book currently in development. This full color study, focusing on how ants often play the beneficial role of "accidental planters," is one of several panels completed for my pending book dummy.

The show will be on display from June 8–July 13, 2018 in Pyramid's gallery in Hyattsville. Opening reception is June 8, 6-9 pm. Find out more about Pyramid Atlantic here -->

"Observe: Accidental Planters," Mixed media on illustration board. ©2018 Jen Sheckels