Motivate

It has been a while… I have been muddling through life lately, but let’s catch up. I have started a secret project with the Monarch Collaborative. It may take a long, long, while and I hope it works out. Meanwhile my search of Oktober Studio II is ongoing.  Although search is not the correct word; saving for Oktober Studio II is the better description.  I’m working on a free art piece too.  I donated a painting to Elmer’s Kids and I am working on my online presence. I have been really enjoying Instagram out of all the social venues and have discovered extremely talented artists.  Here are my favorites so far. Here are the few who are motivating me.

Leah Thiessen

Matt Smith

Robin Floberg

Jeremy Sicile Kira

Caitlin Mattisson

For more motivation (can't live without music) right here in Chicago, check out this fun night.

ARTinerary  March 17, 2017

Part 1: 6pm @ Kurt Russell Art Show @ Peanut Gallery @ 902 N California

Part 2: 7pm @ Galway Arms @ 2442 N Clark

Part 3: 8pm @ Tossers Show $20 @ Metro @ 3730 N Clark

Happy St. Patrick's !!!

Destination Devon Art Walk

I'm exhibiting...

Destination Devon Art Walk
Saturday October 1,2016
2-5pm

Aqua Salon
5346 West Devon
Chicago, Illinois 60646

I am participating for the second time in Edgebrook's art walk. I'm exhibiting at Aqua Salon again. I have many new pieces. The exhibit will be outside as well as inside the salon. Praying for no rain!

Art Notes

After painting flowers all spring and summer I am ready for some abstract art, but when I went to paint I had a block and in a panic I felt and thought "Wait, I don't know how to paint anything but flowers."  It took a few days and I don't yet feel like the block is knocked down, but I am working on another painting and we'll see how it turns out. Also as time passes I am taking longer to complete a piece. Normally I would finish a painting in one day, but now it takes about 2 or 3 days or longer. I wonder if that means anything???

7 Flowers

If you have been following my blog you will know that I started practicing painting flowers. This whole summer all I have noticed throughout the city is flowers, vibrant, beautiful flowers all over. These muses are good for color inspiration. The leaves, the petals, are good for me too; to practice drawing/painting a shape.  I completed my 31 May Flowers Project, which was acrylic on paper. 

The next series was 7 Flowers. I did acrylic on canvas. I painted a couple on very large canvases, which is just the direction I'd like to go; bigger canvas. This Edison Park residency has me painting back on the kitchen floor again, but the space is smaller. I have a backdoor with a screen window and the air helps with the paint fumes.  All summer crawling and walking in circles around the canvas on the floor listening over and over again to The Avett Brothers (side note: what a brilliant artist Scott Avett is!) and Ray LaMontagne. These guys got me through the long days of painting; music is my fuel. Can't live without music! 

Since I'm slightly off on a music note; I did an art exhibit may years ago at the Village Tap in Roscoe Village. It was curated by Rebecca Rego, back then an aspiring singer. I recently was reunited with her for a few moments. A great surprise, she was the opener at City Winery for the Marc Broussard show. Yes, yes, I go to a lot of concerts. Again music is my fuel.  If you do not know these musicians; you should. Their music is soulful.

I practiced my photography too while collecting flowers.  This has been summer...

 

 




7 FLOWERS

"Home" 36x36

"Sleeping In The Garden" 48x48

"Watermelon" 36x36

"Dreaming Of Summer" 20x20

"The Peonies" 42x48

"Thinking Of Vancouver" 30x30

"June" 24x24

All paintings are for sale. Contact oktoberstudio@hotmail.com to purchase.

May 31 Flowers Project

These are the final floral pieces for my 31 May Flowers Project. This project is acrylic on paper and 9x12. Each painting is for sale for $25.00.

"May 12th"

"May 13th"

"May 14th"

"May 15th"

"May 16th"

"May 17th"

"May 18th"

"May 19th"

"May 20th"

"May 21st"

"May 22nd"

"May 23rd"

"May 24th"

"May 25th"

"May 26th"

"May 27th"

"May 28th"

"May 29th"

"May 30th"

Follow me on Instagram to see the last piece, "May 31st" and keep following to see upcoming large flower paintings in the works.

31 May Flowers Project

This project has made me see that flowers are not as easy to paint as one might think. I feel as though the petals are improving, but not the leaves. Also researching flowers I have really fallen in love with green flowers. They are so lush, vibrant and alive. Petals bleed colors together and I like that I can capture that with paint. 

"May 8th"

"May 9th"

"May 10th"

"May 11th"

To be continued...