Jeannine Pelusio, an artist and teacher, had a childhood in Greece. She completed her education at Athena High School and pursued further studies at Alfred University and SUNY Brockport, where she obtained a degree in Fine Arts.
During her time at Brockport, Jeannine had the opportunity to work alongside renowned artist and art educator, Judy Soprano. Soprano once expressed, “I opened the door to my creativity and found my soul.”
Jeannine Pelusio, through her Intuitive Painting Workshops offered by the On the Canals program, aims to unlock the doors of creativity. She personally experienced the transformative power of intuitive painting in 2018 and was captivated by the process.
The freedom of expressing oneself without relying on a reference image, using paint to reflect one’s emotions in the moment, and embracing the textures and colors that emerge, all contribute to the excitement and liberation she felt. Jeannine’s profound connection with intuitive painting motivated her to share this discovery with her students.
She organized several intuitive painting workshops at her home studio, Stony Point Art Studio, situated in Ogden. When a friend introduced her to the On the Canals program, she took the initiative to propose offering intuitive painting workshops as part of their activities.
The On the Canals program, now in its fourth year, is providing free recreational activities sponsored by the NYS Canal Corporation and NY Power Authority. Participants of On the Canals can enjoy a variety of excursions including kayaking, cycling, cruising, hiking, outdoor painting, snowshoeing, and accessible activities like adaptive kayaking.
Originally started as ‘NY Canal Staycations’ in the summer of 2020, the program has since expanded to year-round participation and has seen remarkable growth, with over 13,000 participants in 2022.
During the summer of 2023, Jeannine organized a series of intuitive painting workshops in various locations along the Canal, including Brockport, Spencerport, Fairport, and Pittsford.
These workshops, offered through On the Canals, proved to be highly popular, with registrations filling up rapidly upon announcement. Participants had the opportunity to explore their creativity in the beautiful outdoor settings while learning the techniques of intuitive painting.
In the Fall, Jeannine stumbled upon the Cornhill Navigation Welcome Center, a stunning location along the Genesee River in the City of Rochester. She expressed her delight at discovering this exquisite indoor space, which now allows her to conduct workshops during the colder months. “I am truly grateful for this inspiring haven,” she exclaimed.
In September, Jeannine began conducting workshops at the Cornhill Navigation Center, and the demand for intuitive painting grew significantly.
Additionally, she introduced classes for drawing and painting specifically designed for youth aged 9-18. Later in the Fall, Jeannine received a special request from the NYS Canal Corporation to be featured in one of their videos for the On the Canals program.
“Making the video was such a fun experience,” enthused Jeannine. She went on to emphasize the unique opportunity that On the Canals offers, which is open to all and completely free of charge. Jeannine expressed her admiration for the intuitive painting workshops, highlighting the multitude of rewards they bring to both the participants and herself as an instructor.
She emphasized that anyone, regardless of their painting and drawing background, can walk into these workshops and leave two hours later with a sense of accomplishment and a beautiful painting.
According to Jeannine, the true success of these workshops lies in the understanding that it’s not about creating a picture to hang on the wall, but rather about expressing one’s emotions through paint and discovering something about oneself in the process.
She also mentioned the strong sense of community that forms within each workshop, as all the participants embark on this artistic adventure together.
The Cornhill Navigation Welcome Center, located at 280 Exchange Blvd., Rochester, 14608, is proud to host two exciting First Friday Art events.
The first event took place on January 5th, showcasing the incredible artwork of Jeannine. Jeannine’s artistic creations beautifully capture the essence of nature and the rich history of local waterways.
Mark your calendars for February 2nd, as Jeannine’s artwork will be accompanied by a remarkable collection of works created by participants of the intuitive workshops. Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the talent and creativity of these exceptional artists.
The First Friday events at Cornhill Center are now open from 6-9PM, offering a unique experience for art enthusiasts. As you explore the exhibits, you can also enjoy a selection of beer and wine.
Jeannine has been sharing her passion for art with students of all ages for the past 18 years at her home studio, Stony Point Art Studio. At her studio, she provides a variety of classes in drawing and painting using different mediums. Additionally, she also offers specialized art classes for home school students.
This Spring, Jeannine will be teaching classes at Homesteads for Hope, Manitou Road, Ogden. The classes will be held at their newly opened Forever Homestead Community Center, as well as outdoors along their picturesque canal location. Homesteads for Hope describes themselves as a Community Farm that empowers individuals of all abilities to learn, work, live, and thrive in nature’s classroom.
Situated on the expansive waters of the Erie Canal, they provide a sense of belonging and nurture people’s individual purpose, cultivating much more than just tomatoes.
