Jean Wilson - Arts of Life

Artist

Jean Wilson

Inquire About Jean's Work

View All Artwork (25)

About

Studio Member since 2007

Jean was born in 1958 in Chicago. As a child and young adult, she lived in several state operated institutions. In 2000, Jean moved into L’Arche Chicago as one of the founding core members. An accomplished visual artist as well as a musician in the Arts of Life Band, Jean creative drive seems to have no limits. This past year Jean created a public banner for the Oak Park Arts District. Her work was also featured in the Circle Contemporary show The Beasts, as well of the extension of that show at The Other Art Fair at MANA Contemporary.

“Art makes me feel happy, and it makes me feel proud. I make animals in my artwork, I care about animals. Nature inspires me.”

Jean’s unique talent is to determine the emotional core of her subject matter and depict this as largely and loudly as she possibly can. Drawn to animals as subject matter, Jean concentrates on what makes her subjects powerful, dangerous, and respected. Before we notice anything else, we see teeth, claws, and glowing eyes. Her ferocious menagerie acts as protection for Jean and announces her artistic identity.

“I want to sell my paintings! I want to shock them with my art! I want people to remember me when I am 119 years old up in heaven.”

Portfolio Work

Toucan and Polly, 2018
acrylic on canvas
24" x 20"

Howlin Wolf, 2019
acrylic
18" x 22"

Queen Wolf at Night, 2019
acrylic on canvas
30" x 40"

Happy Wolf, 2017
acrylic on canvas
20" x 24"

Beauty and the Beast and the Castle, 2017
acrylic on canvas
24" x 18"

I Never Met Her, 2019
mixed medium
24" x 19"

Sparrow the Dog, 2017
Acrylic on panel
16" x 24"

Anxious Cat, 2019
acrylic
20" x 27"

Joyful Wolf, 2018
acrylic
24" x 20"

Werewolf and Vampire, 2014
acrylic
24" x 18"

Robot Dog is Howlin at the Moon, 2017
Acrylic on panel
24" x 18"

Toucan in the Woods, 2015
acrylic
24" x 20"

Cottontail, 2018
acrylic
22" x 28"

Tiger Learning, 2015
acrylic
24" x 20"

Midnight Snack, 2014
mixed medium
9" x 12"

Monster Lizard with its Tongue Out, 2016
acrylic
20" x 16"

Happy Wolf, 2019
acrylic
19" x 24"

The New House Snow, 2015
acrylic
24" x 19"

Queen Jean, 2015
acrylic
15" x 29"

Elvis Rock, 2014
acrylic
19" x 24"

Being Happy Wolf, 2016
acrylic
24" x 18"

Spider Web, 2017
Acrylic on panel
20" x 16"

Wolf After a Long Walk, 2019
acrylic
32" x 40"

Shark Attack, 2018
acrylic on canvas
36" x 24"

Dinosaur Land, 2018
acrylic on canvas
24" x 20"

Exhibitions

In Good Company

Chicago Cultural Center - 2019

The Beasts

Circle Contemporary - 2018

November Artist of the Month

Circle Contemporary - 2017

A is for Artist

Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art - 2017