Rostrum 312 - Chicago Show

Oh hey Chicago - long time no see!

I was in Chicago for the weekend for the show with Rostrum 312 and wow, what a party.

Like, we broke the fire code party.

In my excitement to get there for the install I completely forgot about the time change from Michigan to Illinois. So. I showed up far, far too early. Which was fine. I found the venue, parked and got a bowl of rice and spicy avocado. (And wine)

After the install I ventured into downtown, the sky was full-on Bladerunner.

The following morning I had all to myself, so I popped into the Art Institute of Chicago to see an O’Keefe that has been on my heart since my husband has started his private pilot’s license training.

I’m a very nervous flyer and I’m working on re-aligning those pathways in my brain to something positive so I can go with him and not have a meltdown in turbulence. I’ll compile my thoughts on that elsewhere - but this painting is one I desperately wanted to see to start off this journey.

THE SHOW:

The show was a blast. I got to meet so many incredible people and have so many amazing conversations about the work, materials, and just art in general. I adore the Rostrum model of taking empty storefronts and converting them into gallery space for a time, and it was so thrilling to see the members of the community hop on the board and turn out in droves.

So much so, that we exceeded the fire code for allowable people in the gallery at one point and a line for entry had to form. And then it went down the block apparently.

The only downside was the amount of photos I was able to take - I ended up so busy that there were not many to share at the end. But I’ll have the memories though, and they are fantastic.

Thanks to all who showed up for the event or supported me from afar and huge thanks to the Rostrum312 team and those who took home work! If you purchased one of my pieces I’d love to see where it ends up hanging - send me a message <3

I’ll be back for sure, thanks again for the great time Chicago!

New Show at the Roosevelt Collection in Chicago

On March 25th I’ll be back in Chicago for a popup show with my friends over at Rostrum 312.

I’ll be showing a few paintings in my space (the above, ‘Nest’ included) and I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone else there. Go check out the show instagram feed, there are so many phenomenal artists showing and I’m honored to be in the mix.

The show will take place at the Roosevelt Collection at 150 W.Roosevelt Rd, specifically at the gallery space at 1023 S. Delano ct. (Check out the eventbrite page for more info!)

Drop me a note if you’re planning on coming, I’d love to say hi!

Raw Wave on view at Homes Campus

My installation ‘Raw Wave’ went up at Homes Campus (brand new location!) this week, thankfully before the big snow storm hit.

I am so grateful for this space and to the wonderful team over there for helping me to bring this vision to life.

About the Show:

Raw Wave is a series of 8 raw canvas panels, all 72 inches tall, ranging in width from 30s-40s inches wide. Each panel consists of a scene of thinned-acrylic marks, a language of form that might echo the movement of an expanse of water. The marks are translated from gesture studies of bodies of water, ripples in pools, undulations of waves and laid down on the canvas quickly and with purpose. The nature of the thinned paint adds a degree of randomness to how the works dry; the water transporting the pigment around the canvas to follow the path of least resistance.

I chose raw, unstretched canvas to utilize the fluidity of the material. It hangs from transparent line (thanks to the FABULOUS curator and her partner) cascading downward in crests and furls, draping in shadowed waves. Each panel creates 2-3 additional waves out of the material itself and the shadows surrounding it. When someone walks by quickly the edges flow upwards, stirring the waves further.

I wanted to convey the feeling of being on the shore, looking towards an expanse of water. That meditative space that beckons us to go closer, to dip our toes in and experience it with all our senses.

The collection might beg the question, ‘When is a work finished?’,  the paintings are not stretched over bars, which is the common method of displaying finalized work. The paintings (as well as many other examples of my on-canvas work) can live their entire lives flat. They also can be stretched over bars and displayed as a more typical piece of art. I like to think of my work as a living, breathing, response - one that adapts as the situation demands.

If you’d like to purchase a panel, scan the QR code at the location it will take you to the gallery page. (or purchase online via the gallery page) All work must remain up until the show ends. Paintings can be stretched over bars free-of-charge after purchase if desired.

Let me know if you’re headed out to see it!

The Other Art Fair Chicago

Hello Chicago!

My booth was sad without a plant friend.

Booth #72

Nest / Solstice / Helena

What a great show.

Thanks so much to everyone who came out and said hello, bought a piece or took a postcard. I truly had the most wonderful time meeting everyone and getting to know so many great new artist friends.

The masking etiquette was superb BTW. Made me far more comfortable to hang out for 3 days.

Temporary Studio (so I can spread out without the construction dust...)

With The Other Art Fair quickly approaching I needed to get my potential work for the show all in one space together.

My in-home studio was definitely too small to get it all laid out and as we have houseguests for the next week-ish, I can’t realistically be taking up the living room + dining room and make them eat/sit outside.

(And the new studio is under an inch of sawdust, so that’s definitely out.)

So, I’ll be setting up a temporary studio in a dining room that is currently in-between renters a few streets over until I can get into my new studio.

Must protect the floors!

I didn’t bring everything over since space is still a concern in here. I limited the materials for what I need for Chicago, daily sketch materials and what I need to wrap up the last of the commissions for the summer.

(Side note - I’ve closed commissions for the remainder of 2021. Here’s why.)

A sneak peek at work for Chicago!

I’m really grateful to have access to this space for the summer/fall. As much as I truly enjoyed being able to work out of my house, it’s past time for more space. This should bridge the gap between these spaces nicely. (And let me finish the work for The Other Fair!!!)