MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!! August 29th & 30th, 2020.

Just four weeks away we’re hosting another ART IN THE GARDEN!!!
The garden is twice as large this year so there’s plenty of room for social-distancing & safe shopping! It’s one of only two outdoor art fairs that I’m able to do this year… so please keep it safe, wash your hands and you MUST wear a mask!!!

It’s one of the most fun art fairs as several of us like to do one-of-a-kind collaboration projects to “reveal” at the show. You can see many of us making things in our studios to get ready… and maybe get a glimpse of a collaboration or two if you look close. Check out the list of my talented friends in the Comments and follow them all on social media.

Click here to follow ART IN THE GARDEN on Facebook… as more details, picture s& information will start to appear over the next few weeks!

A couple weeks ago his gallery show closed… but I just ran across these photos and thought I should share. Gabriel Mo was one of the Resident Artists in the Metals Department at Lillstreet Art Center. Unfortunately, the term of his Residency was great affected by the outbreak of the Coronavirus Pandemic. Coming to Lillstreet with such hope & promise, but then finding it all changed as the world changed so quickly for everyone.

At the end of his Lillstreet Residency, there was a small Gallery Showing of his work in the Lillstreet Annex Gallery on the second floor. I passed through the show many times as I was on my way to my studio. Alsways enamored by the architectural style, the crisp lines, the contrast of metals… and the fact that they’re all “kinetic” pieces that move, swing, swivel, open, close, etc. A simple touch in the right places made all the difference… and it was great to see the sketches with the pieces as well.

But for me… it was ALL ABOUT THE SHADOWS!!!
Sure, his metalwork was amazing, but I was intrigued by the shadows!

Sadly his show has alrady been taken down from the Lillstreet Gallery Annex. Although you can click here to see more on Gabriel’s website.

And a huge THANKS to Pam Robinson for coordinating this show and creating a moment of beauty during the Corona pandemic. While everything was shut down, people sheltered-at-home, and Chicago opening back up so slowly… Pam found a way to work through the safety issues to create this socially-distant Gallery Opening to celebrate Gabriel’s work, and his time at Lillstreet. Surely NOT what he expected his Artist-in-Residence time to be like!

As part of my Sculpture Summer Camp, I like to teach the kids some art history along the way… this time focused on famous sculptors! I made a set of flash cards for some famous sculptures – many of which are in Chicago that the kids might have seen. I also tried to show them at least two pieces by each artist so they weren’t just memorizing one photo… but trying to get them to learn about their style, subject matter and time period. And just to keep them on their toes… there are a few duplicates along the way!

The trick to using flash cards is to make it a game… so at some point, they’re so excited to play a game that they don’t even realize they’re learning stuff at the same time! By the end of the week, most of the kids have memorized all of the following artists… first and last name!!!

Like this game on Friday where I turned it into the classic game of “MEMORY” where they had to match up the cards – finding two cards by the same artist. Keeping safe social distances with a LOT of hand sanitizer along the way!

HOW MANY OF THESE FAMOUS SCULPTORS CAN YOU NAME???
Not the sculpture name, but the actual artist… first & last name!

I must admit I had to Google a few of them myself.
I mean… do you know who made the Venus de Milo???
… and his name is NOT Milo!!!

My morning ride was hot & sweaty along the lakefront headed north. Still a beautiful ride… made even more beautiful by this collection of painted rocks along the Northwestern University campus. Most are just painted… some are just cute… but someone has some real talent out there!

This morning’s “cloud-free” sunrise was pretty… but it was this wonderful “community” mural at Sheridan & Howard that caught my attention. I loved the sense of whimsy & depicting the community all working together. The sunrise was just getting to it… illuminating the top section as I continued to pedal home.

For more about this mural… CLICK HERE for Matt Bourque’s website post about this mural.

With all of the protests & riots over the past weeks, infamous street artist Banksy has expressed his thoughts through images & words on his Instagram feed. Very thoughtful and well stated… as I would have expected.

For those who are not aware of Banksy and his work… Banksy is an anonymous England-based street artist, vandal, political activist, and film director, active since the 1990s. His satirical street art and subversive epigrams combine dark humor with graffiti executed in a distinctive stenciling technique.

He’s kind of a big deal.

Well, my friend Cheryl is still at it…
painting the boards in downtown Aurora after the riots with other artists & volunteers!

And lookey here…
now she’s apparently the COVER GIRL too!!!
Well done Cheryl… keep up the good work! YOU ROCK!!!

To see more of Cheryl’s “real” work, click here at www.cherylholz.com

After the protest, riots & destruction that swept through Aurora this weekend, my friend & amazing painter Cheryl Holz has spent the next couple days doing what she can to help her town recover. So of course… SHE’S PAINTING!

Making the town look alive, vibrant & open for business.
Trying her best to be part of the solution.
Making a difference.
Using her talent for a good cause.

Be sure to check out her amazing work at www.cherylholz.com.

While everyone is looking for a little more brightness & joy these days… it was great to turn a corner on my bike this afternoon and run across this colorful mural under a bridge. It made me smile. Thank You MollyZ for making Rogers Park a little more beautiful… and for helping make people smile even during these tough times!

And speaking of MUGSHOT MONDAY… just showing off two new mugs for my “already-overflowing” Mug Collection! Beautiful mugs & glazing effects by Steven Showalter in Minnesota! I’ve admired his work for years… his techniques, his teachings and his willingness to share everything online! We’ve never met, but it seems like I know him already thanks to social media! And you should too… look him up on Facebook or Instagram… his work is AMAZING!!!