Same time last year...

I started this painting last year after we had accepted

an offer on the sale of our old house. I knew they

were going to tear it down, I was not quite ready to

let it go...or finish the painting. It's back on my easel,

we'll see how it goes this time...

Open...

Illustration Friday Word = OPEN

On this day recorded in my sketchbook, I OPENed

myself up to try new things...

and by posting it here, I leave myself open for possible

ridicule...go ahead laugh, or send me your inquiries!

Adopt A Pet In The Park...

I donated the design of this Ad for Chicago Animal Care & Control's upcoming pet adoption event in Lincoln Park on October 14th. The full design has a lot more text etc. I made this one for postcards and another for possible t-shirt printing. Watch for it in an upcoming issue of the Chicago Reader. I hope it brings lots of people out for the event so more of Chicago's homeless pets find good homes.

Working Weekend...

It's that time of year when all I want to do is revel in the fall weather but it's a busy time for me art wise with lots of events coming up and work to do... but I did squeeze in some fun, a great night on Friday first going to the Pilsen East Art Walk to see my dear friend Erica's exciting opening at Margin Gallery: there were tons of people out and art studios and galleries open all along Halsted Street and into the neighborhood, lots of good energy and interesting art and fabulous art studios to see. Later met up with Rich & friends at their great new practice space just blocks from our house off elston. I was hoping to get back to Pilsen on Saturday to see more art...but it didn't happen.

I did manage to finish up several paintings and prepare all my tags and pricelist and bio for my hanging at the Starbucks in Roscoe Village tonight....it's always that deadline that makes it all happen. I could have hung a bit more than the 20+ paintings but need enough work to take to the Kentuck art fair in Alabama later in October. I've included a few of the new finished pieces and the upgrade I made to my "Corn" painting from the Fields Project, I decided to mount the canvas on MDF, it really adds a certain something. It is a bit abstract...but I like it.

Chi-Town Kitty

Here she is...my donated pieces for the Treehouse Animal Foundation's Annual Cats on Parade: Day / Night / Half & Half:

Chicago on the Feline

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Ever the procrastinator...I started painting the fiberglass cat for the Treehouse Animal Foundation Cats On Parade event today. Did some serious sketching last night and decided to paint the city on the cat...as I was working I decided to go for a half day half night effect. I'm pretty happy with it...post varnish pictures tomorrow before delivery.

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Speechless...

I think I have allergies, not normal for me. But I started feeling strange over the weekend, and worse Sunday afternoon as I set up to show some work at the River North Dog Owner's Association's "Social at the Park" Fundraiser for their new dog park. I was a little hoarse to start with, but by the end of the evening I could only whisper...that's all I can do today. It's hard to be quiet, so when I speak I whisper, and it's kind of funny because people start whispering back to me...like we are discussing a great secret!

The event was set at the end of Erie Street on the terrace of the Erie Cafe overlooking the river and a lovely Chicago skyline. The weather was perfect and it was lots of fun seeing so many different sizes and kinds of dogs - all for the most part getting along.

3 Commissions Completed!

Adorable Nel in her birthday hat...shipping to California today...Sweet Lucy - shipping to Arizona..and dearly departed Stretch the Cat a trade with my pal and extraordinary Chicago Jewelry Jodi Rae Brownstein.