Artists of the 2016 57th Street Art Fair

The first outdoor art fair I've attended so far this summer is the 57th Street Art Fair in Hyde Park. It was a great way to kick off the season. I was happy to see so many artists I've met before selling their wares from booths along 57th street, as well as some new faces. Here are my favorites:

Kenneth Kudulis

Natalya Sots

David Gilbertsen

Jennifer Mujezinovic

Amy Ikenn

Fading Nostalgia

Geoffrey Aaron Harris

Nancy Gardner Ceramics

Ed Myers

Aaron Sault Jewelry

Eric Grimes

Lidia Wylangowska

Tammy B Jewelry

Sulay Rodriguez

Fierce Glass

Patrick McDonnell Saidmore

Brenda Abdullah

In addition to all the beautiful artwork and crafts, there is delicious summer festival food (like funnel cakes and those spiral cut freshly made potato chips) and good live music. The show will continue today. It ends at 5 p.m. More information: www.57thstreetartfair.org

Van Gogh's Bedrooms at The Art Institute of Chicago

Vincent Van Gogh's life story has always made me sad. The poverty, the mental illness, the lack of recognition during his lifetime... the quintessential starving, struggling artist biography. How could the world not see the undeniable brilliance of his art? Painting was so drab and boring before he came along. I'm glad I had a chance to see his work at the Art Institute. All around downtown Chicago there were window displays inspired by the Van Gogh's Bedrooms exhibit.

Finally, last Thursday, I had a chance to squeeze into the crowded galleries to see it for myself.

I was especially impressed by the replica of the bedroom at the yellow house.

Today is the last day of the show. If you're in Chicago and want to see it, you should probably go to the Art Institute right now and stand in line. (Which probably will extend to the end of the block, if not around the corner.) Maybe if you're lucky you can get into the museum before it closes.

My favorites from the first Spring One of a Kind Show

This year was the very first time that there was a One of A Kind Show in spring. This show is in addition to the one that takes place the first weekend in December. The spring show was half the size of the holiday show, but full of amazing art and design. It was great to see some of the artists whose work I have come to know and love featured at the show, including Case Island Glass and Rediscover Handbags. Today I discovered a few new favorites.

Kimmy Cantrell Fine Art

Christopher Royal

Toshiki and Maryszka

Beatriz Mayorca

Timothy J Hawley

Mark Gleberzon

Alan Daigre Designs

Wood Cycle

Camryn Forrest

Splash Fine Art

Tim Jarosz

Lisa Krannichfeld

Rebel Designs

4 Tamara Nicole

I look forward to going to the next One of A Kind Show this December and hope that the spring show will start a new tradition. It would be nice if, like the holiday show, the spring show partners with Etsy to give up-and-coming artisans a chance to showcase their work. The show continues through Sunday May 1st at the Merchandise Mart and admission is $10.

And if you get hungry while you're there, treat yourself to something from these vendors:

Twisted Eggroll

Gourmet Goodies