New Mixed Media Paintings on Panel

These two new paintings were created using acrylic, spray paint, and collaged maps and sheet music on birch wood panel. Using spray paint was a new experiment for me and I think it worked out pretty well. The application of the paint gives these two paintings a more immediate, sketch-like feel. I like how the layers of collage turned out too. The maps I included are from the Chicago Bike Map and various travels (New York City, Paris, San Francisco). I have a lot more maps from traveling, so I want to create more paintings like these to add to my Cityscapes series.

The finished pieces are the first two images below followed by close-ups so you can better see the layers.

 Rooftop Jam, acrylic, spray paint and collage on panel, 36x24, 2013

 Sidetracked, acrylic, spray paint and collage on panel, 18x24, 2013

Here are the detailed close-ups of Rooftop Jam:

Here are the detailed close-ups of Sidetracked:

Abstracts finished for open studios

I finished up the 5 abstracts that I've been working on the last couple weeks. They're all hung and ready for the open studios tomorrow night. Art on two floors, live music, and the Taquero Fusion food truck in the parking lot.

Here's a sneak peek at some of the work on display:

Cornelia Arts Building Open Studios
Friday, May 10, 6-10pm
1800 W. Cornelia, Studio #201
Chicago, IL 60657

Facebook Invite
Cornelia Website
Artslant Listing

Hope to see you!

Sneak Peek of New Paintings + Open Studios

Here's a sneak peek of some new paintings that I'm still working on but should be done for next week's open studio event. Still wet and the unique smell of oil paint wafts through the studio...

Cornelia Arts Building - May Open Studios
Friday, May 10th, 6pm-10pm
1800 W. Cornelia, Studio #201
Chicago, IL 60657

http://www.corneliaartsbuilding.com

New spring abstract paintings in progress

I've been taking a little break from cityscapes recently to create some abstract paintings. Some of these have been based on landscapes - referecing figures and animals. And for about the last month, I've been sketching and painting objects in my studio to use as a starting point. Here a couple that I was working on this week:

These and other new paintings will be on display at the next Cornelia Arts Building Open Studios - Friday May 10th, 6-10pm.

Studio Updates

Due to extra busy life circumstances, I haven't blogged in exactly month to the day. It's been busy art-wise too -- a lot of current and upcoming art stuff happening...

• Been having good meetings and webinars during the Klein Art Works course.
• The artist Feedback Loop I'm in has been interesting and gets better each time I go.
• My large-scale cityscape photographs should be installed soon at the Mile North Hotel as part of their hotel redesign.
• I'll also have more large-scale photos going up this spring at the Hilton Suites new bar/lounge they are designing.
• Had some good news about some national magazine press coverage I'll be part of -- more on that soon.
• Been working on a new series of abstract paintings based mostly on objects from my studio:
  
  

Here's a video of me working on a painting recently in my studio: