Honored to Be a Featured Artist

I am honored to be selected as a featured artist at the Ann Arbor Art Center for May 2026. Art has been a constant companion throughout my life — a place of exploration, reflection, and joy — and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my work with a wider community.

Thank you to the Ann Arbor Art Center for this opportunity, and to everyone who continues to support and encourage my creative journey.

Here is the text of the artist feature: I am an instructor and designer with an extensive body of work in mixed media, with over 45 years of painting experience. I began as a fine artist, studying art at Kalamazoo College and the University of Michigan, and later earned a master’s degree in Education from Johns Hopkins. Through every phase of my life, art has been both an anchor and a compass. It has the power to heal —to carry me through difficult times and help process emotions. Over time, it grants access to something timeless, transforming stress into relief and, sometimes, even joy. 

My mixed-media work is built up through layers, incorporating watercolor, acrylic glazes, and tissue paper. Thin transparent washes create subtle shifts of color, echoing the way healing happens slowly, over time. 

My artistic style has been shaped by a diverse range of influences. I draw inspiration from Expressionism, particularly the intense emotions of German Expressionism and the geometric forms of Cubism. I am also deeply moved by the honesty and simplicity of folk art, which often manages to evoke complex feelings with its strong, straightforward forms. The vibrant, pulsing colors of Mexican folk art and the intricate patterns of Middle Eastern, African, and Asian art also find their way into my work, adding depth and complexity." -Jeanne Keckler