Artist
Jeannie McGuire (born 1954, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is a contemporary American figurative painter known for her expressive watercolor works that offer intimate glimpses into human character. Using loose, confident brushstrokes, McGuire emphasizes eyes and body language to capture figures in moments of reflection, movement, and action.
She studied commercial graphic design and photography at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and spent more than a decade working as both a corporate and freelance graphic designer while continuing to pursue fine art with a primary focus on the figure. In 1990, as digital technology reshaped the commercial art world, McGuire committed fully to drawing and painting. Since then, her work has evolved into a distinctive style that balances technical precision with an intuitive, emotionally driven approach.
People love telling me how they feel about my art and I am grateful for the connection we have.
McGuire’s creative process is sparked by the gestures and expressions of her reference material, which she transforms through imagined narratives, lived experience, and influences drawn from literature and film. Her figurative paintings unfold in multiple ongoing series—including women, men, dance, and industry—each exploring the physical and psychological presence of the human form.
Her work is held in private collections throughout the United States and Europe, including the Pennsylvania State Museum. McGuire has exhibited widely at national and international venues, including the American Watercolor Society, the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art (Oregon), and the Grand Palais in Paris. She is the recipient of numerous awards, most notably the American Watercolor Society Gold Medal of Honor (2011).
McGuire’s work has been featured in publications and media such as Watercolor Artist, American Art Collector, Le Grand Livre de l’Aquarelle, Artensity, and the Learn to Paint podcast. She is also a sought-after instructor, leading figurative art workshops and providing individual mentorship.
McGuire lives and works in her hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and travels frequently to the San Francisco Bay Area.