Workhouse Artist of the Week: Jeanne Treschuk

In Jeanne Treschuk’s world, dogs are blue, zebras have red stripes, fish chat and dragons mingle with floral still life collage.

“People tell me that when they come into my studio, it makes them happy,” said Jeanne. “It makes them laugh.”

Jeanne, a self-described “free spirit” has been developing her unique style for many years. As a student living in Japan with her family, she learned to love the color, traditions and arts and crafts of Asian culture. As a marine wife she honed her skills in countless art and design classes in several locales over many years—eventually earning her bachelor’s degree in art from Ursiline College in Pepper Pike, Ohio.

“I wasn’t trying to get a degree,” said Jeanne. “I just wanted to take art classes. I was just thrilled with—loved art. I took classes everywhere we were sent to.”

Jeanne’s love for learning led her to earn a Masters degree in Art Therapy from Norwich University in Vermont. When her family settled in Northern Virginia, she took a job teaching art at Goodwin House, a life-care retirement center in Alexandria. “I had to teach everything from crafts and holiday decorations up to fine arts,” said Jeanne. “It’s amazing how much you educate yourself while teaching others.”

But Jeanne longed to create art for herself, and eventually left Goodwin House to become part of a juried group of artists in Reston called “Max21”. “I was there for about 15 months,” said Jeanne. “It was a group of artists who were in the auspices of Brenda Belfield (A local artist whose major commissions included 60 stained glass windows for the National Cathedral). I feel like I really profited from working with her.”

Eventually the group disbanded and Jeanne and 11 other artists formed a group called AIM (Artists in Motion). It was through this new group that she entered the Workhouse. “We were one of the original people here,” said Jeanne. “We took a very large studio over at building 10. But after about year, I decided I wanted my own studio.

“I have just loved it here. It’s marvelous being here among other artists. You can’t hardly help but to just keep growing as an artists when you are with so many others.”

Jeanne recently signed another 3-year lease with the Workhouse. “This is such a unique place,” said Jeanne. “It’s interesting from a historical perspective and I hope it’s interesting to the visitors for what they see here.”

Some of the more interesting pieces of Jeanne’s collection hang in the entry-gallery to building 10. “Magical Menagerie” is her latest series, and one of her favorites. “I especially like my animals because they are imaginative, they’re unique, and nobody else is doing them,” said Jeanne. “I also have a huge amount of fun doing them. I’m just chuckling to myself as they come into being.”

Jeanne’s colorful visions not only cater to her desire for creating whimsical animals, but also in painting other flora, fauna, and in many cases, fish. “I think fish are utterly fantastic,” said Jeanne. “I’m not a biologist. I don’t want to make them appear as if you could go out and find the exact fish. If you look at National Geographic, it wouldn’t be hard to find anything crazier than what I create. There are some pretty strange fish out there,” laughed Jeanne.

Jeanne’s vibrant collage paintings are available for sale in her studio or on commission. Prices ranges from $400.00 for her animal art to $900.00 for her larger works. A self-portrait, titled “Unfettered, Unencumbered is priced at $3,000.00.