Art News: New Website + Open Studio

Just a quick note to let you know about some art news...

NEW WEBSITE LAUNCHED!
After working on-and-off for over a year on my new website redesign, it's finally here -- new look, online galleries, and a whole lot of new art.

Check it out: http://www.swallowstudios.com

STUDIO OPEN HOUSE!
April 24-25, 2009
Cornelia Arts Building
1800 W. Cornelia, Studio #201
Chicago, IL 60657

Hours:
Friday, April 24th 6-9pm (I will not be in attendance but feel free to stop by anyway and check out all the great art!)
Saturday, April 25th 11am-5pm, stop by anytime all day - I'll be there

I'll be showing new paintings, some photographs, and screen prints. Over 30 artists in the building will have their studios open for the event.

Art News: New Website + Open Studio

Just a quick note to let you know about some art news...

NEW WEBSITE LAUNCHED!
After working on-and-off for over a year on my new website redesign, it's finally here -- new look, online galleries, and a whole lot of new art.

Check it out: http://www.swallowstudios.com

STUDIO OPEN HOUSE!
April 24-25, 2009
Cornelia Arts Building
1800 W. Cornelia, Studio #201
Chicago, IL 60657

Hours:
Friday, April 24th 6-9pm (I will not be in attendance but feel free to stop by anyway and check out all the great art!)
Saturday, April 25th 11am-5pm, stop by anytime all day - I'll be there

I'll be showing new paintings, some photographs, and screen prints. Over 30 artists in the building will have their studios open for the event.

Photo Fridays: Uptown Theater

Uptown Theater (Chicago), photograph, 2007

This shot of the Uptown Theater sign is part of my old signage series which will be a new section on my re-designed website. The Uptown opened in 1925 as a movie house but closed in 1981. I used to live a few blocks away and always hoped it would re-open. There is an ongoing restoration effort so maybe that will happen since this part of Uptown has been revitalized as an entertainment destination. The Aragon Ballroom, Riviera Theater, Green Mill, and Annoyance Theater are all at this intersection of Lawrence and Broadway.

Photo Fridays: Uptown Theater

Uptown Theater (Chicago), photograph, 2007

This shot of the Uptown Theater sign is part of my old signage series which will be a new section on my re-designed website. The Uptown opened in 1925 as a movie house but closed in 1981. I used to live a few blocks away and always hoped it would re-open. There is an ongoing restoration effort so maybe that will happen since this part of Uptown has been revitalized as an entertainment destination. The Aragon Ballroom, Riviera Theater, Green Mill, and Annoyance Theater are all at this intersection of Lawrence and Broadway.

New Painting: Line Looking for a Dot

Line Looking for a Dot, mixed media on panel (framed), 20x28, $375

This mixed media painting incorporates a few different processes built up over multiple layers. It was made with collage, acrylic paint, and a screen print image. The collaged classified ads are from a recent Chicago Reader and the crossword puzzle from the Tribune.

I've been doing a lot of screen printing in 2009 and this was my first experiment to blend my painting and screen printing. I threw in some collage to create another layer and provide some background interest. In some places the newsprint crinkled giving it some texture. This piece is part of a series of about 30 screen prints of water tanks on paper and also on old record albums. Those are still in the works but should be done soon.

New Painting: Line Looking for a Dot

Line Looking for a Dot, mixed media on panel (framed), 20x28, $375

This mixed media painting incorporates a few different processes built up over multiple layers. It was made with collage, acrylic paint, and a screen print image. The collaged classified ads are from a recent Chicago Reader and the crossword puzzle from the Tribune.

I've been doing a lot of screen printing in 2009 and this was my first experiment to blend my painting and screen printing. I threw in some collage to create another layer and provide some background interest. In some places the newsprint crinkled giving it some texture. This piece is part of a series of about 30 screen prints of water tanks on paper and also on old record albums. Those are still in the works but should be done soon.

Two New Finished Paintings - bright, spring colors!

The Wine Drinker, acrylic on canvas panel, 16x20, 2009

I started this painting from a sketch about two years ago. I dug it out recently and reworked the colors but kept the composition essentially the same.

Staring at the Sun, acrylic on panel, 18x24, 2009
This painting was done a panel coated with a smooth acrylic gesso. Lately, I've been experimenting with different surfaces. I really like how the paint moves on wood panel - it's much different than canvas. I'm able to get more detail and blend the colors easier. Anyway, this was my ode to spring and the warmer weather to come.

Two New Finished Paintings - bright, spring colors!

The Wine Drinker, acrylic on canvas panel, 16x20, 2009

I started this painting from a sketch about two years ago. I dug it out recently and reworked the colors but kept the composition essentially the same.

Staring at the Sun, acrylic on panel, 18x24, 2009
This painting was done a panel coated with a smooth acrylic gesso. Lately, I've been experimenting with different surfaces. I really like how the paint moves on wood panel - it's much different than canvas. I'm able to get more detail and blend the colors easier. Anyway, this was my ode to spring and the warmer weather to come.