Jean Accola has painted extensively in watercolor since 1977.  Recent study of the oil medium has reinvigorated her paintings.  Accola has delved deeply into the subjects of the plant world in watercolor.  Landscape painting has also been a backbone of her subject matter.

Accola credits the influence of many other artists including: Holly Swift, Sister Barbara Cerney, her high school art teacher; Walter Williams and Margaret Mason, both great teachers and mentors, the study of Sumi-e with Susan Frame and workshops by Alan Servoss, Lee Weiss and Chen Kee Chee.  She attended Clarke College in Dubuque, IA, Augsburg College, Minneapolis and the University of Minnesota, where she majored in biology.

Jean has been honored to do paintings for the Minnesota State Horticultural Society, the Minnesota State Parks, the Wisconsin Academy Review, the Northern Gardener, and many private and corporate collectors.

Jean is married to Steve Peinovich, also known as Yata, a well regarded musician.  They have two adult children.  They live in a converted country schoolhouse in Western Wisconsin.