JEAN GIDICH
bio
Although Jean creates her drawings in traditional ink and graphite, the use of line and form are anything but conventional. Jean’s love for both art and wildlife began at a young age and she began college as a Zoology major. She later changed her concentration to studio art which resulted in a BFA in Drawing, Painting and Printmaking with minors in Animal Science and Art History.
Following a year as an independent artist, Jean went back to school and received another degree in Art Education. She began to teach as a supplement to her young family’s income with plans to return exclusively to her studio in a few years.
Fast forward 30 years and she is still teaching studio art. Her commitment to creating confident self motivated adults through the challenge of hands-on art practice continues. Through the years, Jean produced work and strengthened her skills with daily studio practice and graduate work.
Originally a multimedia painter, 4 years ago a student gave her some pens with the statement, “I can’t wait to see what you will create with just these.” Not one to refuse a challenge, she picked up that pen and Layered thousands of marks that came together to form a larger than life Great Grey Owl.
Since that first drawing, Jean hasn’t stopped portraying both animals and people in her unique active line approach. On close inspection, her drawings contain names and other symbols that hint to her intention for each piece. Her subjects are chosen from all walks of life paired with creatures that help tell her story. All the work she creates is autobiographical and based on how she views the world around her. She invites you in…one line at a time.
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Exhibitions
2022 1st place Peoples Choice, The Cowgirl Gathering Art Show, APHA Headquarters, Fort Worth Stockyards, TX 11/22
2022 Best of Show, Looking Up Exhibition, Bowling Green State University,
Bowling Green, OH 6/22
2022 Medici Biennial Exhibition, Medici Museum of Art,
Warren, OH 1/22
2021 Award Recipient, Artprize International Competition,
Grand Rapids, MI 10/21
2021 Biennial Top 50 Exhibition, Riffe Gallery,
Columbus, OH 10/21
2021 Best Of Show, Artists 4 Animals Exhibition, Four Corners Art Center,
Bowling Green, OH 10/21
2020 Solo Exhibition, Women’s History Month Featured Artist, Wine Flight,
Elmore, OH 3/20
2019 Solo Exhibition, State Courthouse,
Perrysburg, OH 3/19
2018 Artists as Educators, Riffe Gallery,
Columbus, OH 10/18
2018 Solo Exhibition, Barr's Public House,
Maumee, OH 5/18-11/18
2018 Women's History Month Featured Artist, Wine Flight,
Elmore, OH 3/18
2017 2x 1st place award, Artists 4 Animals Exhibition, Four Corners Art Center,
Bowling Green, OH 11/17
Publications
2022 Southwest Art Magazine, Featured Artist, October/November Issue
Organizations
Women Artists of the West Signature Member
Cowgirl Artists of America Founding and Signature Member
Education
1991 MA Art Education, Ohio State University,
Columbus, OH 1/90-6/91
1988 BFA, Painting, Drawing, Printmaking,
minors in Animal Science and Art History, Ohio State University,
Columbus, OH 8/88
Teaching
present-1991 Secondary and Post Secondary Art Instructor, Genoa Area High School,
Genoa, OH