Happy Holidays

Christmas is not my favorite holiday. I prefer Halloween.  What I do enjoy about Christmas time is winter, snow, buying gifts that capture a person’s personality, outdoor trees lit up in pitch black night skies. I love everyone's willingness to give and I really enjoy New Year's Eve. It's the one night of the year that's everyone's last chance. If you are Looking for last minute gifts?  Paintings are one of a kind, intimate and meaningful gifts. Here are a few paintings that will fit a tight budget:$100.00



"Northern Lights"
24x24



"Deliziosa"
20x20

 

"Canyon"
16x16



"What Do You Fear"
20x24

Here is my latest painting for www.100BlueAngels.org.
For ocean conservation

 

“BLUEMIND”
40x40
$1200.00



50% of the painting sale will be donated.
(A great cause, a great gift and a good tax benefit for you)

Maybe you want to give in a different kind of way this season.  Here are 2 organizations that help others:

www.heifer.org
To help communities end hunger, poverty and care for the earth.

www.bearnecessities.org
Dedicated to eliminating pediatric cancer

Happy New Year!



OUTSIDE

I think one reason so many people say when they go outside that “they are one with nature” is because our heart beats to the rhythm of the waves or our breathing sinks with the wind and you feel at peace.  You can feel the movement of the world in a quiet place and it’s like meditating and it feels good.  I know my happy place is at the beach. Sitting alone staring out at the water or up at the sky or floating in the water; it’s calming.

Water has a strong pull on people, swimmers, fishermen, surfers, etc.  I took my nephew to the beach one day for an evening volleyball game.  I told him to sit on the beach and watch the game and do not go into the water.  Within the hour he was all wet.  I asked him what happen to “do not go into the water.”  He said “I couldn’t help it, it was calling to me.”

Here is my latest painting for the Ocean Revolution.50% of this painting sale will be donated to 100BlueAngels.



"It's Always Our Self We Find In The Sea"

40x40

$1200.00 



Please click this link and read about my friend Wallace J Nichols and his ocean crusade.
OUTSIDE MAGAZINE

Fluid Abstraction

As a painter you often get to meet an artist that you wish you were as good as.  Art collectors need to keep an eye on Jeanine McShea & Joshua Harker.  Her work was powerful and his is inventive.

I recently went to the Fluid Abstractions Exhibit.  The show featured pieces made by a combo of monotype and creating on water printing.  The four featured artists were Jeanine McShea, Ingrid Albrecht, Karen Goldstein and Sally Misiora.

The flow of the paint in the pieces was incredible. These artists had a really interesting medium and the colors that each artist used complimented each other’s pieces.  The paintings were not large in size, but the vibrant shimmering blend of the paint stood out creating a larger than life picture. 

These pieces had shapes and movement; they are one of a kind and would be difficult to duplicate.  I was fotunate to visit this show and learn about a new technique.

Also, just because it's Halloween (my favorite holiday) Here is a totally creepy piece of art you should check out:

 Joshua Harker's Crania Anatomica Filigre.   This artist is a modern day sculptor and an out of the box thinker.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

CALIFORNIA WIVES

I mentioned a few times since starting this blog that music is an absolute for me. I am always interested in checking out new bands.  I have been to see local band California Wives play a couple times.  They remind me of 80s techno.  Their music is lively and I find it very hard to sit still while they listening to them. I cannot compare their sound to anyone new out there. They are worth checking out if you are looking for a fun band.  You don’t have to know their music, the sound will get up off your feet and before you know it – you’re dancing. I was lucky to score a sweet interview with guitarist & bassist, Dan Zima.

What age were you when you decided you wanted to become a musician and what age were you when you knew were living it?
I started playing guitar around 5th grade, when a friend convinced me to make my mom buy me one rather than a Nintendo 64. I guess I thought he was really cool and I would be like him. I played in some bands in high school, but it was always a fun thing until California Wives started making music; at which point I decided that it was worth a shot. We're pretty close to where we want to be, so the hard work of the last few years is paying off. As of now, I'm still earning nothing from music that doesn't get reinvested into the band, so I have no idea what it will be like to try to live off of it, but I imagine it could be tough.

What is your band’s music writing program? Sitting in a café? Locked in a room for 24hrs? All night bender?
It varies. Some stuff gets started with one person doing a demo and everyone else contributing to finish it. Some stuff is done in collaboration, but everything is done completely sober. I do like writing music late at night; things seem a little more exciting and seem to flow a bit easier.

What are your 5 favorite songs?
"Cause=Time" by Broken Social Scene
"Heaven or Las Vegas" by Cocteau Twins
"Souvenir" by Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
"Teenage Riot" by Sonic Youth
"Leeora" by The Sea And Cake

What can’t you live without?
 Music for obvious reasons; I have a very long catalog of artists that I listen to and like to think that I'm well informed with what's out there today. It's always on, whether I'm working, or relaxing, I can't imagine not listening to music on a daily basis.

What band, song, movie, concert, etc changed your life or has had the most influence on you?
My mom took me to see Oasis as a kid and I'll never forget that experience. It was lots of bright lights, and guitar, but also a really great atmosphere of people really enjoying music right then and there.

What do you hate about touring?
I really hate not sleeping in my own bed and not knowing where we will be sleeping, in general. We've been fortunate to land on a few friends’ couches, and we really appreciate that, but hopefully we can tour one day where we can each have a comfortable bed to sleep on, as opposed to couches or the floor.

What’s your take on the arts (music, art, theatre, film) in Chicago?
I think Chicago has a thriving music/arts scene. I know a lot of music people from being in a band and I can say I enjoy a lot of what's coming out of Chicago these days. Art and Theatre has always been a staple in Chicago and it seems to get bigger every year.

If you were in a jam at 3am who would call?
I would never be in a jam, I'm pretty responsible. If by some chance things got out of hand, I'd call our manager.

Tell me a great California Wives caper while touring.
I nearly got us killed in Omaha, Nebraska by telling whoever was driving to turn onto a one way street full of oncoming traffic, but that's probably a normal thing for bands. We sort of broke into the house where we were staying in one city to get to bed early, but only to find the owner there making coffee. We once played while people next to us got massages and haircuts. I'm hoping we get some better stories in the near future.

Who in band can scream the loudest?
Probably Jayson. He has a couple of climactic endings in songs that really take big range and lots of control to make it sound just right. Crowds really get into it. 

What’s your favorite place to play in Chicago?
I love playing Schubas and Lincoln Hall. We also played Metro with Peter Hook and that was probably our biggest thrill since we shared the green room with Peter and his band. That was pretty cool.

Worst fear?
I hate heights, even just looking up at tall buildings like the Willis Tower, makes me nervous.

Thank you Dan for being an interesting guest and my first interview.

California Wives play on

Saturday, November 12, 2011 10pm at

Schubas 3159 North Southport

Chicago Illinois 60657

OCTOBER

My favorite month is October. Every day of this month I am happy.   It is truly a fuel pumping time for me. Here are my top reasons why October should be yours too:

HALLOWEEN!
Hockey officially begins
Taffy Apples
Harvest Moon
Pumpkin patches pop up all over the city
Chicago International Film Festival
Pumpkin flavored food
Hot apple cider
Chicago Marathon
Haunted Houses
Chicago Artist Month
Crisp air
Eye blinding sunny days
Acute blue skies
Crunchy leaves

Lately I have been listening to Elliott Brood. There sound is delicious.  The banjo is solid. I cannot get enough. Music is very much one of the biggest influences in my art. There are days that I feel if I cannot hear music I cannot move forward. I feel so deeply that music is my spirit. It’s something that turns the light on inside of me.

My focus until the end of the year is my Ocean Revolution project.  Here is my newest painting for this important cause.  Please forward this to anyone you know who might be looking for a worthy cause or the ocean lover in your life. 50% of the painting sale will be donated to www. 100BLUEANGELS.org.

"When Beholding The Tranquil Beauty And Brilliancy Of The Ocean's Skin One Forgets The Tiger Heart That Pants Beneath It"
36x36
$1200.00‏



Summer

It has been a while since my last blog. 

What did you do you on your summer vacation? 

I love summer, I love being outside, running, biking, swimming, hiking.  My summers have turned into active outings: rowing, road trips, races. Here are some new pieces and a glimpse from the summer.



To update; the Milwaukee Avenue Art Fest was not great and unfortunately I will do it again next year and just hope for a better event. I felt the fest screwed the artists who participated and that is all I will say. Except the best part, my favorite part was the band THE FISHERMEN played opening night at my reception.  They were perfect punk bluegrass.  Who doean't love a banjo?! Moving forward I had a wonderful trip west that fueled a few new pieces.  I also spent a couple days in Michigan on the beach; my happy place!

  



Angels Landing Zion National Park



I did my 3^rd triathlon which is motivating experience from training to the finish line.  I started rowing for the first time this summer and I cannot say it enough that rowing on the river; seeing all the city wildlife surrounded by the skyscrapers and impressive graffiti makes me want to vandalize too.  



The Village Tap

The Village Tap

Currently I am showing at the Village Tap (2055 West Roscoe) until September 30^th. 



3 bikes, 3 helmets, 3 bags,
3 events, 3 triathletes, 1 Prius 


I was lucky enough to have a couple paintings and my work space, Oktober Studio part of the music video documentary The Promise by the band Sanawon.  I now have two new pieces for the Ocean Revolution project.  If you are interested in these paintings please email me: oktoberstudio@hotmail.com.



"Garibaldi"
36x36
50% of this painting sale will be donated to the Ocean Revolution's 100BLUEANGELS campaign.





"Surreal"
40x40
50% of this painting sale will be donated to Ocean Revolution's 100BLUEANGELS campaign.

Please stay tuned. My favorite month October is coming up quick and there will be Hockey & Halloween. What could be more exciting?!

July 29-31 2011

I have been occupied painting. Locked inside the studio weekend after weekend; failing to work on my tan. I haven’t even gotten to the beach yet! I’m all off schedule. I might as well stop thinking. The Milwaukee Ave Arts Fest is a month away; July 29-31, 2011.

I am opening my studio to the public for 3 days.  This is the third year I will participate in this event.  I think the fest should be called the Road Runner; a slight jab to the past Coyote. Here is a peek of the studio, paintings and set up.  Everything is on the floor because I paint on the floor. 

Sometimes I paint on top of the canvas or paint as I walk/crawl around it.   I have been experimenting with some work on paper and loose canvas.  I am also working on outdoor signs to hang out the windows.   

 

I hope there is no rain and I hope this exterior paint lasts. I still need to drill holes out the window and figure out how to wire the signs so that they do not blow away.  I have also been dabbling in some photography. I was given a 35mm camera and some film, although what I have learned is that the film is old and requires C22 processing, something not done in Chicago??? 

  I don’t know if the photos will make it into the exhibit. There is cleaning and hiding furniture still to be done. I am grateful that friends have volunteered to make sweets.

It’s going to be an exciting opening night.  There is a small chance a fiddle player will attend and play some bluegrass and maybe a guest artist. 

I hope you will all be there.

art for the ocean revolution

My favorite/happy place is the beach whether it’s winter or summer.  I like watching the waves and walking on the sand.  My favorite time is to go super early (7am) when the sun is just up and it’s blinding bright; before the crowds. I layout the whole morning and leave right at lunch time just as the hung over population creeps up. It’s peaceful and the seagulls are calmly walking the shore. I have the whole place to myself. The beach would not be without the lake or river or the ocean and people like, Wallace J Nichols help to keep these places alive.  This is my newest painting for his cause; 50% of this painting sale will be donated to the Ocean Revolution’s 100BlueAngels.org.

"Upwelling"

40x40

To purchase please email me oktoberstudio@hotmail.com

Rewster's Cafe

Rewster’s Café has good coffee and a friendly staff with a delicious menu and catering. It’s located where Logan Square meets Avondale at 3152 West Diversey. Rewster’s also has a patio, sometimes yoga and ask about the private dining.  I have painted a bench for the café.  I wanted my rooster to be tall so I chose to paint my bench vertical.  This was a really fun painting project and I hope to paint more for them and I hope to do more furniture projects as well.