Jeff VanKanegan

My name is Jeff VanKanegan, retired and thoroughly enjoying it! I began my interest in art, especially illustration, as a young child and I continued my art journey going to college, graduating with a degree in Art Education with a minor in visual communications. After graduating from college, I landed a job as a high school art teacher, teaching all areas of the art curriculum. Over a period of ten years, I did some freelance work of a publishing company to supplement my income and was eventually asked to take a position as an in-house artist for the company. Since the pay was better and it gave me a chance to apply my creativity and skills, I accepted the position. This was a time when traditional drawing and painting methods were being were rapidly being taken over by computer and digital imaging techniques. So I eagerly embraced the future, learning the computer skills relevant to the changing publishing industry. However, I never lost my desire and passion for the traditional drawing and painting methods. I was able to survive four corporate buy-outs in the ever-changing publishing industry but after sixteen years our satellite office met its fate…we were all layed off. So I went back to my original career path of teaching high school art and retired after seventeen enjoyable years of teaching a new generation of students. I am now looking forward to the next chapter of my art journey and ready to try different styles and enjoy the process with enthusiasm!!!