Sam Lena-South Tucson Library invites you to an exhibit by local artist Jeanine Colini, on display until March 06, 2026.
Artist Statement:
As far back as I can remember, I've been fascinated with letterforms and alphabets. So it’s no coincidence that I’ve spent over 30 years enhancing the written word as a publications designer—working with so many words made up of so many letters.
I took mechanical drawing in junior high school, the main attraction being the meticulously hand-drawn block letters that accompanied each drawing. In my art class, we were given the assignment to hand copy an entire alphabet. I chose a 1970s-era lettering design, carefully drawing the beautifully swirling shapes and then filling them in with India ink. I was hooked.
For my illustration senior project at Pratt, I created an illustrated alphabet where each character is a different animal. The design process involved coaxing animal shapes into letterform shapes in such a way that both creature and character appear natural and comfortable. The final artwork is called “A to Zoo” and it's rendered in watercolor and ink.
“Art of the State” is my type-inspired map of the United States. Inspired by 1970s design motifs, each letter is hand drawn and organic in nature. In this design process, the geographical shape of each state is formed by the letters that spell the state’s name—topography emerges from typography!
"A to Z Cactus" alphabet is inspired by the cactus in the Sonoran Desert—from the majestic Saguaro, to the ubiquitous prickly pear, to the charming hedgehogs with their brightly colored blooms. Each letter is an original design, hand-drawn and rendered in watercolor and ink. My whimsical interpretation shapes cactus into letters in unusual ways that are sure to make you smile 🙂
Upon moving to Tucson in 2018, I became inspired by the unique beauty of the Sonoran Desert and expanded Naturescapes watercolor collection of flora and fauna.
Images courtesy of the artist
