Decorate & Design

Considering buying art for your home?

Here is a photo journal of how to decorate your house with art.These Chicago homes (and surrounding areas)  have all bought paintings from me to for their interior design ideas.

One of my favorite interior designers in Chicago is Michelle Williams.  Check out her website and see how she uses color.  I like how she is very daring with her ideas.  I like the unique and maybe uncomfortable pieces she uses as focal points to really tie a room together.

When you decorate or design a room, a house; be different.  What I have learned from selling paintings to people and where the pieces end up; is it's interesting to have a piece (furniture, painting, vase, etc) that doesn't match; it will stand out.  Have something different that people covet when they come in.  It's ok to mix antiques and modern every once in a while and do not be afraid to use bright rare colors like orange or turquoise.  I grew up on a street where some houses were the exact same floor plans, but my house was one of the different ones.  It was a medium Cape Cod in the middle of ranches.  We were the only house to have 2 house lights on either side of the front door and the only reason I know this, is because, a new neighbor pointed it out to my parents one day.  He and his family had moved in and he was in construction (remodeling his brand new home) and he said he drove up and down our street and looking at all the houses/designs and noticed we were the only house with two lights; hence his house has two lights now. It's fun to rebuild, design, and decorate.

Color

This is more of a rant and maybe and ocd issue.  Color is everything to a painter.  Color is what catches your eye, it can capture an emotion and it can sway your mood.  My favorite color is red.  I love red shoes and red nail polish, red paper and red-heads just to name a few.  To me red means love and passion & power. The majority of my paintings are in primary colors.  I like the effect bright color has on people.  Here a few images of color used in exciting ways.

Now back to my rant…I am a mediocre athlete, but I still have the some of the quirks that professional athletes have such as superstitions and routines that cannot be broken.  Even Sweetness had to drive the exact same route to Solider Field on game day. So what does this have to do with color? 

I have had the same color running shoes (blue & white) since I was in 3^rd grade and I cannot break that quirk.  I like that blue makes me feel calm, confident, at peace. I hate to give up my workouts and when the shoe shop orders my shoes in the wrong color (pink) it’s frustrating.  I loathe pink to me it’s for sissies and 3 year old girls with ruffled bobby socks. I stood on the corner lost not knowing what (here is the ocd part) direction to go, because I had no running shoes and could not work out. My night derailed it took me three buses to get home when it would have only taken one. Seeing the wrong color killed my night.

Today is Valentine’s Day and to me it’s a red day; red roses, red heart shaped candy boxes, red lollipops and love and sweets are everywhere.  I gave away 100 valentines to strangers today.  Each Valentine had a picture of one of my paintings. Everyone seemed happy to get a Valentine.  I was invited to an anti Valentine party, but I like Valentine’s Day no matter what, because it represents love and who doesn’t like feeling love?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

2012

Just a quick up date…

I took a break and did not paint for 2 months.  I did nothing but enjoy the end of 2011. The holidays were pleasant.  For Christmas I got a digital camera, which I have been using, but I really have no clue what I am doing.  I am not techy in anyway. I actually do not have much interest in technology; video games, computers, smart phones, etc. I’ve been working out and having fun going to Blackhawk games. I am slowing getting back into painting (see below my first painting of 2012). Right now I am looking for new exhibits for 2012.

Last year I donated a painting to the Bohemian Theatre Company’s fundraising event and I recently was able to see their latest play Tartuffe.  One of my favorite parts of the play were the costumes.  The play was to take place in France in the 17^th century. One of the actresses had on a hip purse, which a feather duster stuck out of. I thought that was very creative holder.  Some of the actors wore huge aviation goggles, that just looked funny, but it worked for the story.  The dialogue was kind of poetic.  There were a lot of rhymes from line to line. The actors were wonderful, especially Sean Thomas as Orgon. It was at Theatre Wit in Lakeview.  The stage set up was interesting.  The seats were against the four walls of the theatre room.  The performance was in the middle and sometimes the actors would act behind the chairs of the audience.  It was a good story about truth.   

Side note- Cooper's across the street from the theatre has the greatest apple goat cheese chicken sandwich!

Here are my first two exhibits of 2012

February 18-March 2, 2012

Nothin’ Less

2642 North Milwaukee Ave

Chicago IL 60647

630.800.0411

7-10pm Monday - Sunday

I am donating this painting for a silent auction.



"Soul"
24x24




Saturday, March  10, 2012
Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation – 312.214.1200

Bear Tie Ball 6-12am

UIC Forum 725 West Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL 60607 - 312.413.9875

You can buy tickets to the ball here and bid on my painting: https://bearnecessities.ejoinme.org/?tabid=331836


oh...and just because it's Groundhog's Day click this line.

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