Paintings in Progress: watertank and portrait

weed st watertank, acrylic on wood panel, 2008 (work in progress)

I've been working on a couple new pieces recently. One is part of my watertanks - city by the lake series and the other is a portrait of my wife. The watertank is on wood panel and the portrait is on canvas. I'm using photos as reference for both of these. For the portrait, I'm trying to make it more realistic than what I normally do for portraits, but also applying my usual style and color scheme. It's been a fun experiment so far...

portrait of mare, acrylic on canvas, 2008 (work in progress)

Paintings in Progress: watertank and portrait

weed st watertank, acrylic on wood panel, 2008 (work in progress)

I've been working on a couple new pieces recently. One is part of my watertanks - city by the lake series and the other is a portrait of my wife. The watertank is on wood panel and the portrait is on canvas. I'm using photos as reference for both of these. For the portrait, I'm trying to make it more realistic than what I normally do for portraits, but also applying my usual style and color scheme. It's been a fun experiment so far...

portrait of mare, acrylic on canvas, 2008 (work in progress)

Chicago Skyline Sunset - at a hotel near you

Chicago Skyline Sunset, photograph, 2002

Recently I was selected by an Atlanta-based art consultant (Faulkner + Locke, Inc.) for placement of my art in a major hotel chain. The Sheraton in Elk Grove, IL is in the process of remodeling their guest rooms and public areas. My "Chicago Skyline Sunset" photograph is being printed onto canvas, framed, and hung in all 250 guest rooms. The print size is 27" high x 33" wide.

I had been talking with Faulkner + Locke on-and-off for about a year until everything came together. In April, the licensing agreement was in place and I sent them a digital image of the photograph. Today, I received my artist's proof of the print -- it looks great! And being printed on canvas really brings out the painterly quality of the photograph.

Since the hotel is just out in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, I'll eventually be able to see the finished hotel redesign with my art on the walls. Of course, I will post those installation photos when everything is ready.

Working with an art consultant is very exciting as it has opened up a new door for me, helping to bring my work to a wider audience. I'm definitely looking forward to exploring this area some more and curious where it might take me. So far it's been a rewarding experience.

Chicago Skyline Sunset - at a hotel near you

Chicago Skyline Sunset, photograph, 2002

Recently I was selected by an Atlanta-based art consultant (Faulkner + Locke, Inc.) for placement of my art in a major hotel chain. The Sheraton in Elk Grove, IL is in the process of remodeling their guest rooms and public areas. My "Chicago Skyline Sunset" photograph is being printed onto canvas, framed, and hung in all 250 guest rooms. The print size is 27" high x 33" wide.

I had been talking with Faulkner + Locke on-and-off for about a year until everything came together. In April, the licensing agreement was in place and I sent them a digital image of the photograph. Today, I received my artist's proof of the print -- it looks great! And being printed on canvas really brings out the painterly quality of the photograph.

Since the hotel is just out in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, I'll eventually be able to see the finished hotel redesign with my art on the walls. Of course, I will post those installation photos when everything is ready.

Working with an art consultant is very exciting as it has opened up a new door for me, helping to bring my work to a wider audience. I'm definitely looking forward to exploring this area some more and curious where it might take me. So far it's been a rewarding experience.

New Work: City by the Lake series

I'm still in the midst of a website redesign but getting closer to finishing up the new, expanded galleries. In the meantime, I'm keeping busy with some new work in my "City by the Lake" series. The subject matter is a mix of urban cityscapes and lakefront imagery. As always, you can click on the images for a larger, more detailed view.

Pencil Factory Watertank, acrylic on wood, 2008

South Loop Watertanks*, acrylic on wood, 2008

*South Loop Watertanks was recently sold! Many thanks to collector, Carol F.!

At the Beach, acrylic on canvas, 2008
(Will be featured in the Chicago Art Open at the Merchandise Mart October 3-19, 2008)

More new works coming soon...

New Work: City by the Lake series

I'm still in the midst of a website redesign but getting closer to finishing up the new, expanded galleries. In the meantime, I'm keeping busy with some new work in my "City by the Lake" series. The subject matter is a mix of urban cityscapes and lakefront imagery. As always, you can click on the images for a larger, more detailed view.

Pencil Factory Watertank, acrylic on wood, 2008

South Loop Watertanks*, acrylic on wood, 2008

*South Loop Watertanks was recently sold! Many thanks to collector, Carol F.!

At the Beach, acrylic on canvas, 2008
(Will be featured in the Chicago Art Open at the Merchandise Mart October 3-19, 2008)

More new works coming soon...

Wrigleyville Commission Painting

Wrigleyville, acrylic on canvas, 2008

Late last summer, I was commissioned by one of my collectors (Troy) to paint a large-scale cityscape. He already owns two of my cityscape paintings and so he knew what he wanted. This was helpful since it gave me a good idea of the colors and style he likes. The only stipulation was that Wrigley Field needed to be prominently featured. 

He invited me into his home so that I could see the space where it will be displayed and to take some measurements. I also took exterior photographs of his building and the surrounding neighborhood that I used for reference. The size - 4 feet x 6 feet - is my largest painting yet. It took me over 6 months of work to finish (with a break in December due to a replacement heating system being installed in my studio building).

I periodically emailed him photos of the work in progress to make sure he was happy with the direction I was going. Along the way, he made a couple of suggestions about adding some more buildings. Then at the end, he threw me a curveball (pun intended), requesting that I incorporate a cyclist riding along the lakefront bike path. The suggestion turned out to be a good one and I think it adds a little whimsy to the painting.

Troy hasn't taken the painting yet - he's in the process of a home remodeling job so I'm able to showcase it in my studio for the time being. Once he takes the painting he will display it in his new, custom-designed living room. 

P.S.> His building is the orange one in front on the lower left.

Wrigleyville Commission Painting

Wrigleyville, acrylic on canvas, 2008

Late last summer, I was commissioned by one of my collectors (Troy) to paint a large-scale cityscape. He already owns two of my cityscape paintings and so he knew what he wanted. This was helpful since it gave me a good idea of the colors and style he likes. The only stipulation was that Wrigley Field needed to be prominently featured. 

He invited me into his home so that I could see the space where it will be displayed and to take some measurements. I also took exterior photographs of his building and the surrounding neighborhood that I used for reference. The size - 4 feet x 6 feet - is my largest painting yet. It took me over 6 months of work to finish (with a break in December due to a replacement heating system being installed in my studio building).

I periodically emailed him photos of the work in progress to make sure he was happy with the direction I was going. Along the way, he made a couple of suggestions about adding some more buildings. Then at the end, he threw me a curveball (pun intended), requesting that I incorporate a cyclist riding along the lakefront bike path. The suggestion turned out to be a good one and I think it adds a little whimsy to the painting.

Troy hasn't taken the painting yet - he's in the process of a home remodeling job so I'm able to showcase it in my studio for the time being. Once he takes the painting he will display it in his new, custom-designed living room. 

P.S.> His building is the orange one in front on the lower left.

In the studio: Art on the Move

On April 15-16, 2008, we had a group of visitors from Art on the Move that toured the Cornelia Arts Building where my studio is located. I had to give a couple of talks and answer questions about my work. I was able to speak about my newly finished commission painting which I'll write about later.

Talking to the tour groups was a good experience and proved valuable - these were members of the Art Institute of Chicago and people who collected art. Over the two days I sold four paintings and someone asked me to call them when I finished one of my works in progress. 

I sold three paintings from my latest series of watertanks along with a view of the "El" from my studio windows.

west loop watertank #1, acrylic on canvas paper, 2008

west loop watertank #2, acrylic on canvas paper, 2008

west loop watertank #3, acrylic on record album cover, 2008

moving windows (studio view), acrylic on canvas, 2007

In the studio: Art on the Move

On April 15-16, 2008, we had a group of visitors from Art on the Move that toured the Cornelia Arts Building where my studio is located. I had to give a couple of talks and answer questions about my work. I was able to speak about my newly finished commission painting which I'll write about later.

Talking to the tour groups was a good experience and proved valuable - these were members of the Art Institute of Chicago and people who collected art. Over the two days I sold four paintings and someone asked me to call them when I finished one of my works in progress. 

I sold three paintings from my latest series of watertanks along with a view of the "El" from my studio windows.

west loop watertank #1, acrylic on canvas paper, 2008

west loop watertank #2, acrylic on canvas paper, 2008

west loop watertank #3, acrylic on record album cover, 2008

moving windows (studio view), acrylic on canvas, 2007