An excerpt from my new book, 'Make Something Real'

My goal is to publish an art book every 3 years, and since my last book, The Unforeseeable Future, came out in 2022, this is the year for my new release! The new book is entitled Make Something Real. Like all of my books from Imperfect Things onward, the title comes from one of the artworks I made during the time that the book covers. 2022 to 2024 was definitely an interesting time! The blurb and an excerpt are below:

Is a life put on hold still a life worth living? Torn between wanting to participate in art shows and not wanting to get exposed to COVID, I was haunted by the feeling that life was passing me by. I felt like I was living my life in captivity, missing all its forgone pleasures.  This wasn’t the future I wanted. This wasn’t the world I wanted to live in.  I wasn’t the woman I wanted to be. Being an artist was a leap of faith and I was getting tired of jumping. 

In a world of artifice and denial, what still mattered? The pursuit of normal at any cost had led to a culture of complacency and resignation, warnings unheeded, lessons unlearned. The aftermath of an ongoing crisis that most of the world deliberately ignored was a time of missed opportunities and impossible choices. Just when I needed them the most for publicity, the internet platforms I had come to rely on made it harder for my work to be seen, as tech disruption left upheaval and destruction in its wake. Would my newfound social media sites and online communities help me connect with a new audience, or would my participation in them only further tech oligarchs’ nefarious goals? 

Though making art is my escape, this book is also about what I was trying to escape from. Finding solace in creating art in a world on the precipice of disaster, I have made this book an archive of three years of art, grief and grievances. 

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.

Get art, not COVID

This past weekend, I decided to be the change I want to see in this strange fake-normal world we're currently living in. Since about 2021 or so, I've witnessed an unsettling trend: art events that are likely superspreader events. At least one artist I know blames an art show as the source of their coronavirus infection. I became wary of art openings after learning about that. The only one I've attended since the pandemic began was a group show I was in, but between the unmasked crowd and the poor ventilation, (so humid that it made a portion of The Unforeseeable Future come unglued!) I only stayed about 10 minutes. I don't  think I've written about how it's been the past few years to constantly know I'm being left out and left behind because of the art world's cavalier attitude about masking, but it really hurts. My Instagram feed is full of smiling unmasked faces crowded together for photos at somebody’s indoor art show. I don't smile back at them.

In The Unforeseeable Future (the book), I wrote about the pain of paying for a studio I couldn't use. I've now endured almost 2 more years of that pain. Quiet as it's kept, open studios are often rent parties for artists as we hope that some of the people who come through will either make a major purchase or introduce us to someone who will. I've been deprived of that possibility for over three years now, first because the pandemic began and now because of the foolish insistence that's it's over when it's not. While I am grateful for the existence of virtual "Still Coviding" groups online, it hasn't been a sufficient substitute for being able to sell my work in person, the way it’s meant to be seen. Even before the pandemic, I was getting tired of relying on the internet in general and social media in particular, where my hopes of getting my work seen by a new audience are constantly dashed.

A few months ago, I surveyed my email list to find out if anyone would be interested in attending a private open studio in a mask. Only a tiny fraction said yes. It didn't seem worth it. Then I saw the front page of the Chicago Reader, which featured an illustration The Fine Arts Building and an announcement about the 125th anniversary celebration. The thought of missing out caused me literal physical pain. This was my chance, finally, after all these years, to get the foot traffic I've always needed. So I decided that I would open my studio and require masks. 

With the help of a cousin who has experience working as a bouncer, I was able to enforce that rule during my first Second Friday Open Studio since Valentine's Day 2020. Then on Sunday, when the building participated in Open House Chicago, I enforced my policy myself. Offering masks to potential visitors was essential. Selecting stylish masks to distribute enhanced the experience. I also offered printouts of cartoonist Whit Taylor's brilliant COVID explainer comic "Temperature Check" and added some public service announcements that I made from memes and infographics to my usual mix of videos that I play on my TV in the hallway. For an additional layer of protection, I kept both my air conditioner and my air purifier running. 

Despite the horror stories I've seen about anti-maskers getting violent and my own bad experiences with them online, nothing like that happened, much to my relief. I probably could have had 50% more visitors on Friday without my mandate, but since one-way masking isn't enough, that wasn't an option. 

When I was on my own on Sunday, I sat in the hall and informed everyone who approached my door that they were welcome to visit, but I require everyone to wear a mask and there was a nice selection of designs to choose from. There were only 3 violations: a defiant elder with an apparent sense of entitlement, someone who didn't seem to understand English very well, and someone absentmindedly wearing the mask I gave them on their chin. After it was over, I sprayed Lysol in the air and kept my air conditioning and air purifier running overnight since the virus is airborne and can linger in a space for up to 16 hours.

As much as I would have loved to meet a dealer,  gallerist or big spender art collector, even though yet again that didn't happen, I am glad to have had the opportunities the past weekend provided. In addition to selling as much as possible, my goal was to create an oasis of safety within a potential superspreader event and help to raise awareness about COVID. I didn’t want anyone to get sick because they came to my studio. I know I'm just an unpopular artist with unpopular opinions, but I think people should be able to enjoy looking at art without risking getting infected with a weird new bat virus that keeps mutating!

Taking matters into my own (sanitized) hands

 

"Mask or Get Out" sign by Next Chapter Studio

It's been over 3 years since my last open studio and I am tired of missing out. I believe that art patrons should be able to enjoy events without being exposed to an airborne biosafety level 3 pathogen, which is why everyone who enters my studio has to wear a mask. No exceptions. Because I also believe in layered protections, I now have a HEPA air purifier.

I failed to post about this earlier, but now I would like to announce that my studio will be open during Open House Chicago today. Here are all the details:

Sunday, October 15th
12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
The Fine Arts Building
410 South Michigan Avenue
Studio 632F
Chicago, Illinois

Fall in Love with Art 2020

This year, I've been experimenting. I've added some new supplies to my arsenal. My favorite thing so far has been silicone molds. That's how I made the heart in the mini painting below.

I was also really excited that I was able to get my first curvy Barbie (who is also my first Barbie with an Afro) and a Fresh Squad Anthony doll to be her date. Whether you have a date or come by yourself, this year's Fall in Love with Art event should be a lot of fun. As I like to say, it's a Valentine's Day event for art lovers, not just for lovers. There will be a colorful selection of mini paintings and a tasty variety of desserts to enjoy. The event is free and open to the public. The mini artworks start at $20 each and come with an easel.

Here are all the details:

Friday, February 14th 2020
5 - 9 p.m.
The Fine Arts Building
410 South Michigan Avenue
Studio 632F on the 6th Floor

It's also on Eventbrite and Facebook.

2019: A Retrospective

So, this is the year I turned 40, and the year is almost over, and so is the decade... no pressure at all! To be honest, I don't feel like I have accomplished much this year, but looking back, I did have some really good experiences.

I saw two great art shows at the Smart Museum in February.

I had mixed feelings about the Laurie Simmons show at the MCA.

I came up with another cool design that was banned by Zazzle.

I saw some cool products at McCormick Place.

I wrote about a miniseries that showed the sinister side of the art world.

I saw some great things at the Spring One of A Kind Show.

I returned to The Other Art Fair as a visitor.

I published a new book.

I saw many beautiful things at the Gold Coast Art Fair and the 57th Street Art Fair.

I introduced a line of paperweights.

I made my first circular painting.

I had a fun "staycation" at the Merchandise Mart during NeoCon.

I finished a custom window treatment and bedding project.

I introduced a new series for this blog, Mood Board Mondays.

I made another round painting.

I gave myself a raise.

I did an interview with my friend, author Kalisha Buckhanon.

I saw some pretty patio furniture at the Merchandise Mart.

I saw some beautiful things in Ravenswood.

I saw some beautiful residential products at the Merchandise Mart.

I saw great art at SOFA.

I saw some beautiful things at the Holiday One of a Kind Show.

And I wrote a few rants about my ever-increasing frustration with social media, as well as a post about Wayfair's lack of ethics. I sold two of my paintings this year: Infra-Pink Inferno and Cosmic Ocean.

So perhaps this year wasn't that unproductive after all. I don't do resolutions, goal-setting, vision boards or intentions anymore and have no desire to make grand plans or pronouncements for 2020 or the years that follow in the new decade. Taking things a day at a time works better for me. I don't want to overwhelm myself or set myself up for failure. There are a few things I really want to do next year and I'm hoping that I will be able to afford to do them, hopefully with income from art and interior design and writing. Whatever happens, I plan to blog about it and also include it in my next art book. See you in 2020.