The Cornelian + reflections on 2012

 The Cornelian (self portrait), acrylic on canvas, 24x30, 2012


As 2012 came to a close, I decided to create a self portrait - The Cornelian. It's based on a photograph taken in front of the Cornelia Arts Building where my studio is located. I haven't done a self portrait for a while, so I figured it would be a good exercise to go through since I've been a full time artist for one year now. I think the portrait reveals a several things: happiness, uncertainty, confidence and a bit of skepticism.

Reflecting back, I'd have to say that 2012 was a very successful year for me; I'm extremely grateful for all of the support I received. I started it off by taking an online class from Alyson Stanfield to work on my business plan and to help focus my priorities as an artist. I sold art consistently throughout the year and completed two commission paintings: West Loop Cityscape and Chicago Lakefront Skyline. I hooked up with Chicago Art Leasing which is giving me more exposure by renting out some of my art to businesses and homes. My studio was featured in the New York art blog, Hyperallergic - A View from the Easel; and I took an Experimental Drawing Techniques class to shake up my creativity.

During the second half of the year, I worked with two different art consultants on various submissions to license my art for hotel redesign projects. Last week, one of them came through -- four of my cityscape photographs will be printed large-scale for the Mile North Chicago hotel downtown. A second project for another hotel is still in the works. In addition to making connections with art consultants around the country, I explored some new online opportunities to help get my work in front of art collectors; such as ArtSlant, ArtBarcs, Chicago Art Database, ArtWorldChicago, Art Takes Times Square, and got my art represented in Xanadu's Online Gallery. I continue to show at the Writers Workspace and Transistor and will be exploring a lot more show and art licensing opportunities next year.

One last thing I'm proud of is helping my wife start up the Chicago Writers Conference. We ran a successful Kickstarter fundraising campaign where some of my art went to some generous contributors. I volunteered on the Board of Directors, created the marketing and communications plan, developed website content, created a mobile app, and shot photos of the speakers and reading events. It was a challenge to say the least but very rewarding and we learned a lot. We'll continue CWC with a series of workshops throughout the year and the second annual conference in October.

In early 2013, I'll be launching a new website redesign and I look forward to experimenting with oils to begin taking my art in some new directions.

Happy New Year!

-Kevin

Cornelia Arts Building Open Studios - Friday October 5th 6-10pm

We're having our Fall Open Studios at the Cornelia Arts Building this Friday night. Details below...

Cornelia Arts Building Open Studios
Friday, October 5, 2012
6pm - 10pm

1800 W. Cornelia
Chicago, IL 60657

We painted our studio and did some re-arranging - come check it out. Studio #201 on the second floor at the top of the stairs. We'll have some wine and snacks.

I'll be showing cityscape paintings, photos, and screen prints along with abstract face paintings. Here's a sneak peek:


The SamichBox food truck will be outside selling sandwiches. Plus, live music on the porch by "Old Town Pickers" (6-8pm) and "The As Is Collective and Wednesday Mornings" (8-10pm).

Street parking is easy and free on the surrounding neighborhood streets. Or, take the bus or L to Addison stop on the brown line. Walk one block south.

Here's a map.

Hope to see you!

New Cityscape Painting - Spring St. SoHo (NYC)

I've done a lot of smaller drawings of water tanks but this is the first large version on canvas using charcoal over acrylic paint. Initially, I was going to create a painting of it in color but I really liked how it looked in just black and white. It's based on a photo I took in December when I was in New York.

I like working with charcoal because it's very forgiving and has an immediacy to it that you don't always get with paint. When working with charcoal you get a more direct experience with the surface. Mistakes, fingerprints and smudges all become part of the image. After finishing it, I sealed it with a charcoal fixative for protection and painted the sides black. Ready for hanging!

Come see this piece along with many other new cityscape paintings at the Cornelia Arts Building Open Studios - Friday May 18, 6pm-10pm.

Spring St. SoHo (NYC), charcoal and acrylic on canvas, 36x48, 2012



Water tanks - Cornelia Arts Building Spring Show

I've been working on a lot of new water tank paintings and drawings the last 6-9 months. They'll be on my main display wall for the Open Studios tomorrow night. I'll also be showing cityscape photographs and aerial landscape paintings - stop by tomorrow night if you can!





CORNELIA ARTS BUILDING - FRIDAY NIGHT OPEN STUDIOS
March 23, 2012
6-10pm
1800 W. Cornelia, Studio #201
Chicago, IL 60657

This is a FREE event and there will be drinks and snacks!


CAB Show Preview - Abstract Aerial Landscapes

Here is a preview of the aerial landscape paintings I have hanging in the hallway for the Open Studios on Friday night. I'll be posting preview images throughout the week of the different work I'll be showing.

CORNELIA ARTS BUILDING - FRIDAY NIGHT OPEN STUDIOS
March 23, 6-10pm
1800 W. Cornelia, Studio #201
Chicago, IL 60657