Art, love, and heartbreak

Next month I have two events coming up, both of which relate to the theme of Valentine's Day, but in completely opposite ways.  The first will be my second annual Fall in Love With Art event at my open studio.  Once again I plan to serve cupcakes and Valentea Passion from Argo tea.  They were so delicious the last time, though I hope to have a better turnout this year.  Still, there are worse things than having to take a huge container of delicious hibiscus passion fruit tea home with me because there were so few visitors to share it with.



What you probably missed out on last year...



The second show is called Bleed Heart Bleed: The Art of the Break-Up.  It will be at the Design Cloud gallery.  I am really excited about this one, as it will be my first time exhibiting anything from my Frozen Bride series.  I created it for deeply personal reasons, which was why I never posted any of the photos from it online.  Now that some time has passed and I found out about a show that would be appropriate, I am exhibiting a piece from the series.  So here, for the first time, is the photo that will be in the show.

I am looking forward to seeing what the other artists in the show will contribute.  The gallery describes the event in these words:

West Loop’s Design Cloud Gallery is back this year with a group show that’s bigger and more heart wrenching than the last. Paintings, photographs, installations and short film are exhibited together for a cohesive look at lost love. Each artist offers the viewer a glimpse of pain, regret and reflection of how they were--or weren’t--able to cope.

 And here are all the details on both events:

Fall in Love with Art
Friday, February 10th, 6-9 p.m.
The Fine Arts Building
410 S. Michigan Avenue, Studio 632F
Chicago

Bleed Heart Bleed

Opening Reception Friday Feb 17th from 6-10 p.m. 

Show runs through March 16th.                                             

Design Cloud Gallery

118 N. Peoria, 2nd Fl., at Randolph

312-348-5836

www.designcloudchicago.com

My featured guest artist for January: Minnie Watkins

I can't think of a better way to start the new year than with old friends.  What better beginning than with the guest artist who started it all, my very good friend Minnie Watkins.  She has been like an older sister to me all my life.  She was the one who gave me my first real art supplies, and in recent years she has taken the time to introduce me to other artists.  I wish I could do more to repay her, but for now the best I can do is to feature her work in my studio as my first guest artist of the new year.

Minnie has created some amazing new pieces since she last showed her work in my studio in October 2010.  Every new painting is even better than the last, and that's saying a lot because her work is impressive to begin with.

This is the kind of work you just have to see in person.  I hope you will come to the open studio.  It will probably be very cold that night, but I plan to serve some refreshments that will keep you warm.  Here are all the details:

Open Studio featuring guest artist Minnie Watkins

Friday, January 13th, 2012

6 - 9 p.m.

The Fine Arts Building

Studio 632F on the 6th Floor

410 South Michigan Avenue

Chicago, IL 60605