Address: Chicago, Illinois

Other Website: Jean Nerenberg - Our World and Beyond

E-mail: nerenbergjean@gmail.com

1962 Bachelor of Art, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL

1964-1966 Advanced Study, School of the Art Institute, Chicago, IL

1964 Instituto Allende, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

1972-1974 Graphic Design, School of the Art Institute, Chicago, IL

My work is abstract; however, I do approach each painting with ideas in mind. I like to start by applying pigment randomly and then look for inspiration and guidance from these incidental marks. The accidents this approach provide excite me and prevent me from being a realistic, literal artist. For many years watercolor was my medium of choice but recently I have returned to acrylics as well. Each medium offers its own advantages and possibilities.

Looking back on my body of work I realize that the overall theme has been life in all its forms and the future survival of the earth, be it plants, planets or landscapes. The increasing demands of modern civilization have negatively impacted our planet and caused global warming. We are witnessing the shrinking of rain forests and expansions of deserts. Droughts threaten death to millions while others suffer unprecedented flooding. Nuclear warfare poses the possibility of total annihilation. Rogue nations who now possess nuclear capability are irresponsible and unpredictable. It is no wonder that scientists search for the possibility of life forms on other planets. This rush to find sustainable environments is motivated by the possibility of future colonization. To assure that human life can survive, we may need to establish a new world in another place in outer space. Unraveling the mysteries of the universe is exciting and necessary. Since I am not a scientist, I turn to paint to creatively approach the above concerns.

2011 Solo Exhibition, Noyes Cultural Arts Center, Evanston, IL

2011 Western Expressions, national juried exhibition, Coos Art Museum, Coos Bay, OR

2011 Solo Exhibition, JCC, Tucson, AZ
Fresh Paint, Invitational, University of Arizona Museum of Art, AZ

2010 Moonstruck, a national juried show; Cotui, MA
Fresh Paint, Invitational, University of Arizona Museum of Art, AZ

2009 Annual Members' Show, juried by Judithe Hernández, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL
The Art of Music, Invitational, Tucson, AZ

2008 The Art of Music, Invitational, Tucson, AZ
Solo Show, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL
Solo Show, Federation, South Bend, IN

2007 The Art of Music, Invitational, Tucson, AZ
Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild, juried show, Tucson, AZ

2006 Signatures of Age, juried show, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL
Around the Coyote, juried exhibit, Chicago, IL

2006, 2008 Ready Set D’Art, invitational, Tucson Museum of Art

2009 Artwork selected for cover illustrations for Illinois Bar Review and St. Xavier College.