Finding the Extraordinary in the “Ordinary”

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

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"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!

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"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).

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 -->

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

Celebrating Earth Day by taking a closer look … →

Observe: Anthill Activity color concept study, mixed media, © 2018 Jen Sheckels

Happy Earth Day 2018 everyone! I know it's been a while since I posted new work, so this seems like a great opportunity to share a bit of my book concept, Observe.

After taking interest in natural history illustration and really taking a closer look at the world around me, I developed a fascination with insects. Combining this with an interest in wordless picture books, I've been developing this project over the last few months.

Observe: Ants—Accidental Planters color concept study, mixed media, © 2018 Jen Sheckels

So, in honor of #EarthDay18, here are a two studies for the spread featuring ants—enjoy!