Work in progress: Fulton Market cityscape

I started this painting over the weekend while finishing another one up. This piece is 4 feet by 4 feet square - mixed media: acrylic, spray paint, oil on masonite panel. I'm working toward keeping the painting loose and energetic and using different tools to scrape the paint to add more textures and blend the colors. Working large and using different media helps to keep things loose and more immediate like a sketch. The image is based on a small painting I made from a photograph I took in the Fulton Market neighborhood in Chicago. You can see the small version in the upper left corner. IMG_9424 Fulton Market, mixed media on panel, work in progress, 2014

IMG_9422 Fulton Market, mixed media on panel, work in progress, 2014

Close-ups on two new cityscape paintings

Here are two new cityscape paintings and close-up views of each so you can see some of the texture and brushstrokes. Inspired by downtown buildings, stacked and leaning against each other, barely separated by alleys. They turned out to be sort of futuristic-looking, but still recognizable as Chicago architecture. View from 11am Meeting (Detail), oil on panel, 2014 View from 11am Meeting (Detail), oil on panel, 2014

View from 11am Meeting, 27x39, oil on panel, 2014 View from 11am Meeting, 27x39, oil on panel, 2014

Communication Towers (Detail), oil on canvas, 2014 Communication Towers (Detail), oil on canvas, 2014

Communication Towers, oil on canvas, 10x30, 2014 Communication Towers, oil on canvas, 10x30, 2014

New corporate commission project

I'm excited to announce a new corporate commission project that I've been working on the last couple of months. DAC Group, a Canadian digital marketing and PR company, contacted me about commissioning some cityscape photos to promote their new Chicago office. I'm thrilled that they will be installing large-scale prints of the below photographs in their newly designed Chicago office on Michigan Avenue. In addition, they will be conducting a PR campaign to local media and sending out smaller, limited edition prints to the press announcing their arrival in the city. It's a great opportunity for me to get this exposure to the Chicago media and I'm hoping it will lead to more exciting projects!

KSwallow_DAC - A Neighbors, digitally enhanced photograph, 2014

KSwallow_DAC - B Reflections in Green, digitally enhanced photograph, 2014

KSwallow_DAC - C Michigan Ave Crossing, digitally enhanced photograph, 2014

KSwallow_DAC - D Electric Blue Marina, digitally enhanced photograph, 2014

KSwallow_DAC - E Wrigley Building, digitally enhanced photograph, 2014

KSwallow_DAC - F Yellow Tower, digitally enhanced photograph, 2014

KSwallow_DAC - G Trumped by the River, digitally enhanced photograph, 2014

New painting on the easel

I've been working on this piece for about the last week or so. It's based on a photo I took in New York while strolling along The High Line. Lots of great views and unlimited inspiration from this former elevated rail line - now a park - along the west side in Manhattan. Still more to go on the painting and details to be added...

high_line_stacks High Line Stacks - work in progress, 18x24, oil on panel

Cityscapes @ In Fine Spirits

This week I hung a group of new cityscape paintings at In Fine Spirits in Andersonville. They have a great selection of fine wines, craft beer, and artisan spirits with a strong emphasis on local too. I'm excited to be showing my art again in my neighborhood! There will be an Opening Reception and Wine Tasting on Saturday, April 26 from 3-6pm. More details to come. In the meantime, here are a few photos.

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SoHo Fire Escapes - work in progress

This is a painting I've been working on the last few days. It's based on a photo I took in the SoHo neighborhood of New York in 2006. I'm continuing to work on making these cityscape images more immediate, loose, and painterly. I usually sketch the image onto the surface first with oil bar or acrylic. My goal is to carry that sketch-like quality into the painting style. This will be on display at this Friday's Open Studios at the Cornelia Arts Building. SoHo_WIP SoHo Fire Escapes - work in progress, oil on panel

Here's the photo reference:

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Moon Over Soho (New York), photograph, 2006