Evanston Art Expo

Photos from preview night at the Evanston Art Center. The show runs November 23 - December 22.

Jewelry Room, my paintings were in here

Pottery, glass, and wood 

Yum!

Accessories, hats, journals, housewares

Back in the jewelry room

Some of my work on shelves...

And some of my work hanging

Fellow encaustic artist and new friend, Maike and me

Chicago, six months later

Opening next weekend, the holiday Winter Arts and Craft Expo at the Evanston Art Center

I am dropping off 26 small encaustic paintings this afternoon and look forward to attending the preview party this Friday.

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It's almost been six months since I moved to Chicago and I have to admit, it's been a huge adjustment both personally and professionally. The first priority was getting here, which happened early June. After that, finding professional networks and exhibition opportunities became my focus. I don't always make accurate first impressions but here goes...

I joined FUSEDChicago before I even got here because I knew several of the artists from the encaustic conference I attended in 2010.  I immediately befriended several more members and was able to participate in a small group show at the Fine Arts Building and I felt fortunate to have made the connection. Through the Fused Chicago group I submitted and participated in WAXinBlue at Morpho Gallery this fall and was also referred to another artist group that meets weekly at a local restaurant, the artist's breakfast group. 

The breakfast group allowed me to talk to long time professionals, several of which are members in the Chicago Society of Artists and it was suggested that I also join this juried group of established artists. I submitted work and was juried in, attended their annual meeting last month, and participated in the fall reception last night, hosted at the Tom Robinson Gallery.

The work in the show was a mix of photographs, paintings, and sculptures, ranging from traditional to abstract, similar to Copley Society shows but minus a higher standard that a juror usually dictates. Their website is out of date and postal mail is preferred over email communications. There was no real leadership at the reception and as a new member I definitely felt lost.

Starting over, networking and meeting artists, establishing exhibit and teaching opportunities, getting my work "out there" has been exhausting, frustrating, and a huge challenge. I miss going to receptions comfortably alone, seeing friends and colleagues, and feeling like I belong.

Fortunately, I will be one of the featured artist's this January in the Chicago Art Source Gallery. As I continue to paint new work, maybe it will lead to a better fit in future endeavors.

P.S. I did complete "Tribune Tower", had to make a few minor changes, and will be starting a companion piece soon.

Tribune Tower

"Tribune Tower"

12" x 12" encaustic on panel

(WIP)

When I combine my photographs with wax, I work toward finding a balance between photographic realism and dream-like impressionism. It has become my personal challenge to unmask the hidden landscapes lurking throughout the city.

North Pond

"Crow at North Pond"

12" x 12" encaustic on panel

The colors of autumn are breathtaking to me and I just can't get enough. Every day (weather permitting) I walk my dog and have been overwhelmed by the beauty of nature, hidden within an urban setting. The North Pond Nature Sanctuary is my usual walk, the loop around the pond from my apartment is 2 miles and I try to do it twice a day. Walking around the pond takes me to a wonderfully tranquil place. Today I couldn't help but notice how the colors have become even more golden, less green and I had to take more photographs.

The pond is such a change from my walks along the beach when I lived in New England. I have decided I am more inspired by the autumn foliage than the ocean, at least for now I have dozens of paintings waiting to happen. 

Photos from today's walk -

All in a day's work

"Lakefront Trail"

8" x 8" encaustic mixed media on panel

I knew from the small works I painted earlier this week that I also wanted to paint a larger version of the autumn colors. I am still thinking this work is not enough for me to feel "done" with burnt orange and golden sunlight and I may have to do an even larger 24" x 24" version! Using small works as a study makes working larger on the same subject a lot smoother, the composition has already been worked out in my mind and things just flow. 

Several weeks of hard work have left me burnt out from painting (for now)… so the paints are cleaned up and put away forcing me to take a break. I am going to see "Madama Butterfly" at the Lyric Opera house tonight. It will be wonderful to drift into another world.

Inspiration is Everywhere

Lately everywhere I go I take photos and think about how I want to paint where I have been. I am working small (3.5 x 2.5), medium (6 x 6), and large (12 x 12).

Here are a few new small works from local neighborhood places. I plan on painting a larger version of the Autumn trees this weekend, I love the colors in nature this time of year.

The snow scene below will be in the Copley Society small works holiday show along with three other paintings, opening reception is November 14.

I also painted my favorite morning scene, a misty Goldenrod Meadow in Vermont, this time it's a larger 12 x 12 version, probably the last time I will paint this place.

The strongest common element in each of these encaustic paintings is the linear etching in the wax. I am in the zone right now and looking forward to painting all weekend.

Gallery Representation

Great story - I moved to Chicago in June and have spent the past few months learning about galleries here, art events, organizations. A few weeks ago I stopped into a fantastic frame shop which also hosts an impressive gallery space (chicago art source). The gallery manager was sitting at her desk alone and we started chatting, I was sensitive to the fact that I did not want to interrupt whatever she was doing... but I wanted to ask about the gallery. One thing led to another, she visited my website, we clicked. As luck would have it, she currently has a client that is looking for something more traditional (representational). All of the current work featured in the gallery is abstract. 

She is waiting to hear back from her client (a major University) about having me do a large commission piece, but in the meantime I am now represented by Chicago Art Source gallery. I will be one of the featured artists in the January show and several of my works are there now. Good things sometimes come when you least expect them. Even if I don't get the commission, I am in the gallery.

My paintings will all share the common theme of Chicago; places I have seen and visited since moving here. 

"Mile 6.5", inspired by the Marathon last weekend.

12" x 12"

Pictured below, paintings completed for the holiday show at the Evanston Art Center, good thing the work is done because now I am focused on the upcoming gallery show in January.

More new work

The deadline for the Evanston Art Expo is fast approaching (October 21 inventory lists are due) and I am working diligently. I have a few other additional "things" in the works, and when I have the facts I look forward to sharing.

"Autumn Sky"

6" x 6" encaustic on panel

"Snow Reflection"

6" x 6" (another version)

"BEECause"

"Pollinator"

6" x 6" encaustic on panel

Above, one of the three paintings I will be exhibiting in "BEECause", an exhibit devoted to bringing awareness to the plight of our pollinators. 

Zhou B Art Center - Fabulous galleries, studios, and art center.

VISION

The vision of the Zhou B Art Center is to facilitate the exchange of contemporary art between Chicago and the international art community and promote the convergence of Eastern and Western art forms in the United States.

MISSION

The mission of the Zhou B Art Center is to promote and facilitate a cultural dialogue by organizing contemporary art exhibitions and programs of international scope.

I also received word today that I was accepted into the Chicago Society of Artists. I had applied when I first moved to Chicago, after hearing about the organization from the first group of artists I met. The application process was very different from when I applied for membership at the Copley Society of Art in Boston. I found it peculiar that both organizations claim to be the oldest in the country so I decided to do a little research. Here is the information taken off of each organization's website.

The Copley Society of Art

The origins of the Copley Society of Art date back to the 1870s, a time when interest in the visual arts was gaining momentum in Boston. In 1876, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston opened the doors of its new building in Copley Plaza, and in 1877 the School of Drawing and Painting (later renamed School of the Museum of Fine Arts) began its first classes.
In 1879, members of the first graduating class of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts felt the need to keep the ties they had formed, and to help each other in their struggle to become prominent artists. In May of that year, largely through the efforts of Alice Spencer Tinkham and H. Winthrop Pierce, the Boston Art Students Association (now the Copley Society of art) was formed.

The Chicago Society of Artists 

The Chicago Society of Artists is a non-profit organization begun in 1887. The Chicago Society of Artists is now well into its second century and is the oldest continuing association of artists in the United States. Since its inception and its incorporation in 1889, the Chicago Society of Artists had as its primary objective, the advancement of art in Chicago and the cultivation of a climate to support the production and display of member art works.

So I did the math and will try to keep it to myself!

New Work

Lots of new work in preparation for upcoming shows! Each of these is 2.5" x 3.5", will be floated and mounted in 10" x 10" shadowbox frames.

"Lincoln Park Conservatory"

"Snow Reflection"

"Wildflowers in Vermont"

"Buddha Garden"

"Field of Sunflowers"

I need to have a completed inventory list turned in by October 21 for the Evanston Art Center Holiday Expo which is why I am so motivated to complete new small works daily. I am one of the exhibitors for this month long show, details can be found HERE.