Sharp Art!
James Sharp and his wife Rosemary have been collecting my work for a few years now...it wasn't until I delivered a painting to their home last year, in Evanston, that I found out James was an artist, as well! They also have a home in the UK where he creates and shows the majority of his work. I love this textile bag he created with a mixed media collage technique. It holds so much and has been my 'go to' bag all summer long. Please visit SharpArt.co.uk to see more of his wonderfully prolific art work. 
Front and backsides of the bag:
http://www.sharpart.co.uk
Not just a change of seasons...
Having this storefront space has been an interesting experience...I've been here 1.5 years and kept regular open studio/gallery/shop hours for most of that time. I continue to get lots of commission work from people in the neighborhood but it's difficult to get that work done during 'open' hours and it's hard to commit to that during the summer when I have so many outdoor shows. So...I re-painted the "Gallery & Shop" sign to read "Art Studio". For now I'll be open on occasion, for special events and probably most Saturdays. Closer to the holidays, I may have set hours. It already seems to be working out, I've had a few appointments and even some knocks on the door this week. I'm happy to meet with you most days or evenings and you are always welcome to knock on the door if you're in the neighborhood!
Speaking of being open...this Saturday, September 18th is Guinness Oyster Fest in Roscoe Village so I will be open from Noon-7pm. Stop in for a drink and some special end of the season deals!
Bear...My first Bernese Mountain Dog portrait:
Another sweet dog from the neighborhood...I think Bear may be the largest dog I have created a pet portrait of...definitely my first Bernese! Many more commissions to show you that I've been juggling over the last few months while also doing art fairs around the midwest and several new ones in the works, stay tuned...
Sketchbook Project 2011...
I just signed up for the Sketchbook Project 2011. Guess which theme I chose? Big surprise: 'It's raining dogs & cats'. You can participate too..just follow the links. Thanks to Kathy Weller for the reminder.
Dusty Rose...larger than life!
The initial sketch for this Pet Portrait Painting of Lapso Apso, Dusty Rose, was a gift from a wonderful neighborhood client, Ben to his wife Amanda (see below). It was very well received, Amanda then had the opportunity to have me tweak the colors, patterns, etc to her liking, before I created the final painting (shown above with Ben & Dusty Rose who is as sweet as she looks and often stops in for treats on her walk.
Twenty years ago today....
...I became a Chicagoan. I'm re-posting a blog entry I wrote on my 17 year anniversary of moving to this city of big shoulders:
Posted 9/7/07: "Seventeen years ago today, I moved to Chicago. 1990, age 23, no job,
knew 2 people, none close friends, with the exception of an ex-boyfriend
but that didn't count except that he did introduce me to Rich...so I
guess that does count! My plan was to stay 1-2 years and then move out
to the west coast. I was so scared but also very excited to finally be
in a BIG city. I was so excited to live only blocks from Lake Michigan
(never mind that I was too naive to know how edgy my neighborhood was
back then) Rogers Park area Kenmore & Granville. I was filled with a
feeling of adventure not knowing what great things...and not so great
things, awaited. My 10 day stint at an art foundry (I thought this was
going to be my dream job)...left me frustrated and sad, the man I worked
for told me "you are never going to make it in Chicago". So I'm a
little emotional...so what? I'M STILL HERE. I think it just added to my
resolve to find my own way. Then I became miss interviewee and corporate
temp...I had to buy a suit (I didn't even own a skirt) and start
wearing panty hose and heels - killer, for a gal fresh out of art school.
I found a job by December as a convention and meeting planning
assistant. I worked there for 6 years. None that I regret, in retrospect,
as it later proved to be invaluable to running my own business. Which I
guess I better get back to...Happy Anniversary to me!"
Bucktown Wrap Up...
Had an awesome corner spot at the Bucktown Arts Fest this year...thanks, Maria! Met some lovely new customers and had a great time next to artists' Danielle Crilly and Christie Chew-Wallace....across the aisle wonderful jewelers' Veronica Riley Martens and Deanna Rose.
Did some fabulous art trades trades with Sara Lenart...my Number 3 Pendant made from a pool ball, so cool!
And these lovelies from Veronica Riley Martens:
And bought this great coffee mug from Ed Brownlee:
Hope you all have a great Labor Day Weekend!
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