New photos for The Doll Project

For those who have been following this blog, you may recall that I have a show coming up in April when I will be featuring photos from The Doll Project.  Here are a few new photos I've taken for it.

This is still a work in progress, but things are going pretty well so far.  I look forward to sharing more new work from this series soon, so stay tuned.

The Revolution 2012 Show at Jackson Junge Gallery

I finally made it to the Jackson Junge Gallery in Wicker Park so I could see the Revolution 2012 show.  And what an incredible experience!  Here's the gallery's description of the show:

The word revolution inspires reactions and emotions of varying degrees. To some, it's fighting words. To others, it's hope. To the artists involved in the special exhibit titled "Revolution 2012", it is artistic expression. Change is constantly happening around the world, and currently the middle class worldwide is standing together to insist change happen for them, for us, for the 99%. The artwork for this exhibit portrays where artists think 2012 will take us.
...
Revolutions have inspired many humanitarian forms in the past. This is perhaps why "The Protestor" was named TIME Magazine's Person of the Year. Peace, equality and fairness are common mantras in many revolutionary movements. Heroes, stories of valor and honesty are born from these movements. Change for betterment becomes a demand rather than a wish.

Often those perceived to have no power are given a stronger voice in numbers. Adding to those numbers this month are 30 artists from across the country. Mediums include painting, photography, sculpture, print work, installation, digital and fiber arts.

Artists were asked to address ideas already being expressed in the streets of many cities nationwide. They responded with subject matters including corporate greed, homelessness, economic inequality, and standing up for the middle class.

Rainbow Kitty, Sad Lincoln

Alex Garland, Burn Bank of America

Brian Morgan, Inciteful

Eric Baillies, Big Trouble

Eric Carson, Empire

Jeanine Hill-Soldner, 50 Stars, Buy 2 Get 1 Free

Jacqueline Alcantara, Occupy The Mind: Occupy The World

Joseph Knox, Crucfixion of Identity

Robyn Alatorre, Innocent

The art in the show is insightful, thought-provoking, and truly revolutionary.  The show ends tomorrow, so see it while you still can!

Jackson Junge Gallery
1389 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 227-7900

GALLERY HOURS
Saturday 11-8
Sunday 12-5

Last chance to buy these paintings

It's time to make room for new work in my studio. Fortunately, I just found out about a charity art auction at my alma mater, Harrington College of Design.  These four paintings are all candidates for donation if they don't sell soon.

Midnight Blue
10" x 8"
acrylic on canvas
$40

Yellow
10" x 8"
acrylic on canvas
$40

Adrenaline
12" x 9"
acrylic on canvas
$54

Untitled - Green
40" x 30"
$150
*Not on Etsy, but available for sale at my studio

Interested?

You have until February 29th to purchase them on Etsy and March 9th to buy them from my open studio.

My featured artist for my March Open Studio: Lessie Venardo Dixon

I'm not sure if I would have chosen to get a studio at the Fine Arts Building without the insight I got from Lessie Venardo Dixon.  In the summer of 2010, he had a studio on the seventh floor, which I visited during an open studio event.  I was trying to decide between the Fine Arts Building and The Lacuna.  Getting the opportunity to speak with Lessie and a few other artists there about their experiences helped me to make my decision.  Oddly enough, several months passed before I ever saw Lessie in the building again, and he just kind of shook his head and laughed at me, and jokingly accused me of trying to avoid him, when really that isn't what happened at all.  He has since decamped for a new space of his own which I hope will have a great big grand opening soon so I can blog about it on here.  In the meantime, you can see his art in March at my studio.

Here's what Lessie says about his work:

I create oil painted portraits that are more than merely a replica of a photograph. I craft portraits that are works of art, heirlooms, and personal treasures. Portraits bookmark memories, celebrate achievements and commemorates lives, and my goal is to capture the essence of these special moments and convey their personal sentiments.
Artistry is about the freedom of creative self-expression. Creative self-expression translated to canvas allows me to capture a moment in time, to free myself with broad brushstrokes and to paint with emotion. Being an artist first, I paint in different genres still life, abstract, and portrait painting. When I paint, every piece has a unique voice. The portrait should capture the essence or the subject, allowing the painting to speak truth in volume. In a musical painting it reflects movement, energy, and sound. Abstract paintings will convey a mood and encourage the viewer to ask a question. The world of art is always evolving; however, true art will be preserved for years to come.

A man of phenomenal artistic talents, Lessie has won numerous awards and has exhibited his work in a number of prestigious shows, including the Black Creativity Show at the Museum of Science and Industry, where he won the Best of Painting Award.

Here are some photos of his work:

I hope you can make it to my studio so you can see his work in person and meet him.  Here are all the details:

Open Studio featuring Guest Artist Lessie Dixon
Friday, March 9th, 2012
6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
The Fine Arts Building
Studio 632F
410 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL

The new look of Studio 632F

I suppose my newest art project at my studio is the studio itself.  I was finally able to get the furniture I needed to better organize my supplies.  And I also brought some of my collectibles from home to the studio.  Here are a few photos of what I've done so far:

























I hope to complete this project soon, and when I do I will write a longer blog post about it, so stay tuned!