Janine Wesselmann

Janine, known globally for her parodies of European and American society, has been listed in Who’s Who since 1983.She is the first American woman to be accepted into the Collection d’Art Modern de la Ville de Paris and is represented in the permanent collections of the Columbus Museum of Art, the Rockefeller Collections, Dupont Collection, de Sercq Collection, Paris, and the von Liebig Collection, Naples, Florida.

Janine has painted since the age of six, and in very unusual circumstances. Through revolutions in 3rd world countries and ambassadorial parties in the capitals of Europe, on remote islands and in African jungle, she has painted a vanishing world of bazaars and fortune-tellers, carnivals and cafes, fast-disappearing cultures and customs.
The impact of years of balancing between social milieux and political arenas imbues her work with a sensitivity and humor that resonate deeply with her admirers. Her rich color and texture remind us of the Renaissance, her lightness of touch, the Impressionist era, and her psychological insights are intense and daring.

She completed her formal education in the United States and received her degree from Cornell University in 1969. She  returned to a life of whirlwind travels, painting throughout France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, England, and the Caribbean.

She won the award for Leadership in the Arts, Cambridge, England in 1988, and has been listed in  Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who in America, The International Directory of Distinguished Leadership, 2000 Notable American Women, Who’s Who of American Women, and the Directory of Distinguished Americans.

Janine was named Art Delegate to Rome in 1995 and went on to become the first American woman painter to be highlighted at the Centro Culturale, Italy. She was awarded the endorsement of the Governor of Connecticut and Senator Trent Lott for her work in Rome.

In 1997 she was named Cultural Emissary to France, continuing her dedication to painting the cultural richness of Paris.

In 2001, her response to the 9-11 tragedy resulted in the now-famous painting, “America’s Heroes”, which instantly became  an icon to the firefighting community. The image was used for countless new York charities and served as a banner  for commemorative municipal events. T

Janine  now works primarily out of her studio in Naples, Florida and is currently on the lecture circuit, speaking about her life and work. She gives demonstrations and classes throughout the United States and Europe.