Statement

I am a wife, but I haven’t always been a wife. I’m a mother, but I haven’t always been a mother. I’m left-handed, but I haven’t always been left-handed. I am going to heaven, but I haven’t always been certain of that.

I have always been a daughter. I’ve always been a sister. I’ve always been of Italian descent. I’ve always been a female, and in the very same way, I have always been an artist. That will never change.

I didn’t take lessons to be an artist. Being an artist was never a decision for me. God created me this way. I was born this way. It is the first thing that I remember being driven to do. Being an artist is what I was before I can remember anything, or ever knew that I was doing what an artist does.

I didn’t develop into an artist. I have only developed as an artist. Whether I continue to paint, or not, I always will be an artist. I will never not be an artist, because an artist is what I am.

I don’t have a dramatic, ethereal or a mystical philosophy about my art. I no longer have big opinions or rules about anyone’s art. I just want to draw and paint. I can’t tell other artists what they should or shouldn’t do, except that, most likely doing your art every day will help keep the doctor away. It’s very personal.

I enjoy watercolor and pastel. My major medium is oil paint. To me it is timeless and right now best reflects what is the true expression of my art. I plan to try egg tempera paints in the next month or so.

Bio

Born in the East Falls section of Philadelphia, Jeanie Chadwick remembers drawing inside books, on walls and any blank surface before the age of two. She was quick to share her enthusiasm for art in the homes of friends, family and neighbors.

This is about the same time that she began “editing” family photographs. Her interest in art continued throughout her childhood.

In high school she was introduced to oil paint and watercolor, so she set up a studio at the foot of her bed and began accepting commissions for portraits. During high school she became involved in the family antiques business. Soon after she married and put art aside to raise four children. During that time she started up her famous traveling petting zoo, “Mrs. Chadwick’s Funny Farm”, featuring “The Party Animals” and “Funny Farm Ragdolls and Ragamuffins.”

Always involved with animals, she served as Radnor Township, Pennsylvania’s animal warden and obtained state licensing for animal rehabilitation, but that’s a whole other story. She was usually the family photographer, so she became a professional during her few seconds of spare time. After 17 years, the “Party Animals” retired and as a result she pursued photography full time.

One day she bought a French easel and started painting again after 25 years. She feels that the study of photography has helped her to better understand painting. Although she is unschooled in art, she feels very strongly about the value of education. She has won national and international competitions with her photography and art, her subjects being very diverse. Her work is in private collections nationally and in Europe. Her children now grown and with four grandchildren, most days she can be found in her home-studio, at her easel.

She lives in Wayne, Pennsylvania with her musician and teacher husband Jay, youngest son Danny and their 11 year old Chihuahua, “Senor”. Jay Jr. and his new bride live in Malvern. Both daughters and their families live in Maryland.