The Shows Must Go On

Despite how I feel, I am still participating in the Chicago Artists Month festivities I'd planned to be a part of in October.  Here are a few opportunities to see my work next month:

Chicago Artists Month Kick Off
Friday, October 1, 2010 6:00pm - 10:00pm
2003 S. Halsted St.
Chicago, IL
 

Celebrate the start of Chicago Artists Month at Opening Night of the Pilsen East Artists Open House. Begin with the reception, sponsored by GapersBlock.com, featuring two curated exhibitions showcasing work by Chicago artists. Then, hit the streets, explore the neighborhood’s galleries and studios, and meet the artists who have made East Pilsen a lively art community for more than 40 years.  Four of my paintings will be on display here.


October Open Studio Events

As part of a 2 day event for Chicago Artists Month, you will have 2
chances to visit Studio 632F. In addition to my artwork, I will be
featuring work by talented painter Minnie Watkins.

Friday, October 8th
5 p.m.-9 p.m.

Saturday October 9th
12 p.m.-4 p.m.

Fine Arts Building
410 S. Michigan Avenue
Studio 632F
Chicago IL

pain's grey

What is the color of regret?
What is the color of self-abasement?
What color is "it's complicated?"
What color is the feeling of being alone in a crowd?
What is the color of ceaseless yearning?
What color is the call of a mourning dove?

I think it could be Payne's Grey.  Named after late 18th century watercolorist William Payne, it is homophonous  of a my particular feelings at the moment.  The bright colors I usually favor seem to mock the misery I feel.  They assail my eyes and appear garishly inappropriate now.

And so my latest pieces are in this somber hue.  They are stormy skies and withered leaves and dangerous waters.












Pain's grey is all that's left when the rainbow is enough.

And because I try to make sure nothing is wasted in my studio practice, with the water I used to remove the Payne's Grey from my brush, I created a small portrait.








Art history professors seem to have different opinions on the cave paintings at Lascaux, but the explanation I recall is one of sympathetic magic.  Ancient artists painted the bison herds in the hope of having a successful hunt. In a similar expression of wishful artistry,  I have painted the likeness of someone whose return I desperately await.

The blog formerly known as "Brooding Beauty"

A little over a year ago, I wrote, "when I finally get to do the kind of work I am qualified for, I will no longer have an axe to grind"  and that I would change the title of my blog when that happened.  Now that I have my own art studio and design atelier, I have decided to name my blog after its suite number.  

Speaking of my studio, I'd rather be there than sitting at home blogging, so I will conclude this post now.

Small is the new big

It's funny, as an undergrad, 12" x 16" seemed like a large enough format for a painting.  But then in grad school, I was required to think bigger, and 30" x 40" was the minimum size my paintings could be.  Now that I'm out on my own, I want to be able to offer art at various price points, which is why I am working on 8" x 10" and 9" x 12" pieces.  I am still working on these 3, but here is what I have so far:

Studio 632F

It's been a long time.  Too long. 


At first I didn't blog because nothing was going on, then later I didn't blog because I was too busy.  But now I'm back with some very good news:

I just moved into my very own art studio.

"Studio" is a Latin word.  it means "I work" or "I study."  It is my hope that my studio will be a place of both work and study.  A place that inspires.


The style is whimsical and eclectic.  The color scheme is a rainbow.  My Kaleidoscope House, which I plan to move to my studio, was my inspiration. Taking my cues from its multicolored transparent panes, I decided to put multicolored window films on the twelve glass panes in my studio door.  The color block motif is repeated in my Urban Outfitters curtains and my color bar pillow from CB2.




I am still in the process of finalizing my studio design.  I look forward to showing you the finished product.