Celebrating 15 years at the Fine Arts Building

It's amazing to think that it's been 15 years since I first got my studio in the Fine Arts Building. Over the years, it's been a place where I've been able to continue the bodies of work I originated in grad school while adding new processes.

It's been a place where I can write as well.

It's been a place where I could let my imagination run wild. A place that invites my inner child to come out and play.

It hasn't always been easy. In fact, having a studio has been a great sacrifice. It's why I don't travel. I can't afford to. But I keep going because there's nothing else I want to do but be an artist.

It's been an interior design laboratory where I've been able to try out new ideas.

Even when I'm away from the building, I'm happy to see reminders of it.

A model of the Fine Arts Building at the Lego store in Schaumburg

It's been a privilege to have a space that I could open for public events and offer refreshments for my guests, whether it was Halloween candy, Valentine's Day treats, or even a slice of my birthday cake.

And since the pandemic began, a place where I can give away free masks.

It's been a place where I've received some visitors who are dear to my heart, including friends and family members.

My late Aunt Joyce at my studio in 2012

So much has changed in the 15 years since I first moved into my studio at the Fine Arts Building. I'm grateful that in spite of it all, I've been able to hold on to the space that has become my second home.

Tonight I will be celebrating with a special open studio and you're welcome to join me.

Friday, August 8th

7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

The Fine Arts Building

410 S. Michigan

Studio 632F

Chicago, IL 60605

And if you can't make it but still want to support the arts, you're welcome to do that here and here. I appreciate everyone who has supported me on the meandering path that has been my artistic journey.

A little exchange program

Since 2020, I've been making collages at home in addition to my studio. I have saved magazines, catalogs, and other ephemeral papers in both locations. During that time, I've made a few collages that are still works in progress because they're missing something and I don't know what. So I decided to put my long-time unfinished pieces in an exchange program, swapping the ones at home with the ones at the studio, and vice versa.

Collages started at home, brought to the studio

Collages started at the studio, brought home

My efforts led to the creation of 7 new mini collages that I sold at 2 pop-up shows in neighboring office buildings downtown.

Before I sold my pieces, I scanned them and made new print-on-demand products with them for my Zazzle store.

The items in the photo above are just a fraction of what's available. And as always, you can customize everything to suit your particular preferences. 

Magenta Crush

Magenta Crush | acrylic and ink on recycled paper and wood | 10"x8"

 

I made this painting for a pop-up show. I see it as part of the lineage of Fuchsia Sublime, Infra-Pink Inferno, and Fluminous Pink.