With Kelly Velasco and her new painting 'Black Hair...Blue Mood'...
Sharon got the brand new "Black Cat" painting...
I was mesmerized by the canine-ish gargoyles at the old Grossinger Cadillac building on Wells Street...lots of construction going on, hope they don't tear this beauty down.
Looking forward to my first outdoor Chicago show of the summer: the Wells Street Art Festival...you'll find me in Booth #281 on the east side of Wells Street near Goethe. If I don't see you, I hope you have a fantastic weekend!
A little behind here, as usual: back in May I attended the awards Ceremony and Grand Opening of the "In Bloom" exhibit benefiting HCS Family Services at Oak Brook Center...I won a Merit Award which was a nice honor. The had a lovely reception and ribbon cutting ceremony followed by a walking tour and then an evening reception which I had to forego, to pack up for my Iowa Art Fair. It was a great afternoon.
I liked this frog a lot...
Another favorite piece, "Garden Song" sponsored by Sharpie.
The bee outfit seemed fitting for this event...
Fred DeAsis with his bench: "Our Green Earth"...we met at the event and he was kind enough to take photos of me with my piece...thanks again, Fred!
With artist,Carla Bank, and her painted frog: "Firebelly Ozzie"...turns out she owns one of my pieces!These were the top 3 award winners. You'll have to check them all out if you find yourself in Oak brook...they will be on display through August and auctioned off in September. I'd love to do another project like this...aside from the headaches of moving it around, etc. it was totally worth the effort.
Drove out to Westmont yesterday to pick up the fiberglass hibiscus bird bath I've been commissioned to paint for the In Bloom Public Art Project on display at Oak Brook Center this summer...I knew it probably would not fit in the truck with the topper. Luckily an angel stepped in and was able to help us hoist it up to the roof and we bungeed it down. Made for a suspenseful ride back into the city on the expressways. Upon arrival at my studio, it came down off the truck easily, but no matter how we angled it, just would not fit through the door! It's currently sitting in my entryway...I had thoughts of painting it out there but am leery of vandalism, so will most likely port it home to my garage to paint. Stay tuned!
Check out our fun feature from ABC Channel 7's 190 North Television Show! It turned out great thanks to the wonderful interviews with my customers and their pets (Cris & Kaaren & Tango and Sarah & Bear), and all the great folks and camera crew at 190 North, thank you Janet & Holly!! Sadly, Bear, the sweet Bernese Mountain Dog in the segment passed away a few weeks ago...so honored to have created his portrait and that he's also immortalized on film. He was beloved by everyone in the neighborhood.
Please contact me if you are ready to order a Pet Portrait!
The other wonderful part of this feature, it aired the night before my 44th birthday...a lovely gift!
VanSluys
This Custom Narrative Commission Print was a gift for newlyweds Katie & Tim. It features their Chicago neighborhood, Lincoln Square, their house, their beloved beagles: Nigel & Zoe, their love of travel and Mini Coopers (he races) and the site of their recent wedding ceremony: the Natural Bridges of Santa Cruz, in California. They received a Gift Certificate and were able to collaborate with me on the design for a most meaningful and vibrant work of art!
Katie & Time came by the studio this afternoon to pick up "Happily Ever After". And on that subject, they are currently fostering Kaylee (see below) a very sweet Beagle here in Chicago that needs a home. Please contact the number below or visit FoundChicago.org if you think you could give this wonderful dog a 'happily ever after', too!
This little cutie is Jack, he came to the studio back in January with Susan who brought her dogTuesday's portrait in to be featured in the 190 North tv shoot which will air this Sunday!
I also got to meetBarkley whose portrait I did back in December, his owner Tom brought his piece in to be featured as well.
