Lincoln Park Zoo

Monday was the first June gathering of the Sketch Group and we headed
for the new Nature Boardwalk at the Lincoln Park Zoo. We found some
shade under a bridge and the view in both directions was great. I
chose the southern view of the pond, park and skyline. The northern
view was pond, park and the Cafe Brauer. It was a beautiful day to be
outside painting. The new boardwalk is going to be even better as the
plantings mature and grow. I could probably go to the zoo everday for
a month and find something interesting to paint each time!

Subway On Washington

I did the pencil sketch last week and finally had some time today to
add some color. The Sketch Group met last Monday at the Chicago
Cultural Center for our outing. We spent most of the time looking at
the Romare Bearden exhibit upstairs which was large and fascinating.
So I only had time to do a couple of quick pencils drawings from the
stairs on the Washington side of the building before time to head home.

Flower Sketch

Here is a quick watercolor sketch of some blooms that were next to me
while painting at Navy Pier last week.

Navy Pier Visit

Yesterday, Monday the 10th, was our monthy outing for the Sketch
Group. This month we went to Navy Pier. Of course, we had hopes for
sunny and warm but windy and cool prevailed so we stayed inside. The
Crystal Garden was the best place to set up and it proved to be a
comfortable spot to work. I decided to work on this view of some of
the potted palm trees first. I hope to go back to the pier on a nicer
day when I can work outside!

Another Sketch from April

Here is an unfinished sketch done in April at the Lincoln Park
Conservatory. The koi fish are in the pond in the orchid room and are
always a challenge. Next Monday we will be meeting at Navy Pier to
sketch and paint which should be a great location!

April Flowers

Today I was at the Lincoln Park Conservatory with several members of
our sketch group. The Spring Flower Show is in full bloom and almost
made it too hard to choose what to draw or paint. Here I was looking
at buttercups and other unknown (to me) blooms and before that it was
the azaelas and buttercups. From here I moved on to the Koi pond but
need to spend some more time on that!

Sketch Group Outing

Last Monday was our winter monthly outing for the sketch group I
joined last summer. During the winter we have been meeting once a
month but I have missed the last two. This time we met at the condo
home of one of our members. Unfortunately, a very foggy day limited
our lakefront views so I did a watercolor and ink of what I could see,
a bit of the Inner Drive and a bit of The Drake Hotel. Not sure where
we will go next!

Exhibit At Black Walnut Gallery

I was invited to show 4 of my watercolors at the latest group exhibit at the Black Walnut/Robert Wayner Gallery. These are recent works that were a part of the exhibit at North Central College. The work is on display until the end of March.

Solo Exhibit at North Central College

This afternoon I delivered my work to the Oesterle Library Gallery of
North Central College in Naperville. We hung 31 drawings and paintings
plus 2 showcases with sketchbooks and small on location paintings. It
looks great! The opening reception is Sunday, January 10, from 1-3 pm.
I will be there to talk to all visitors! The show will be up until
February 18. Thanks to gallery director Nickole Lanham for all her work!

Christmas Is Coming!

Christmas is coming, hardly any time to paint! I did go out to the
Lincoln Park Conservatory on Monday to paint the flower show for a few
hours and it was beautiful. Still need to finish cards, shopping and
baking so the studio won't be seeing much of me for a while. But big
show coming up in January at North Central College so I do have work
to do!

Visit to Quincy University

Yesterday afternoon was the reception for the Alumni Invitational Art
Exhibit at Quincy University. As a part of the 150th Anniversary for
QU, the exhibit includes 47 works by art students from the 60's to
recent grads. The works were diverse, covering a range of subjects,
styles and mediums. QU Art Dept. Chair, Bob Mejer, did a wonderful job
curating and hanging the show which is to travel to Chicago in 2010.
All works will then be auctioned and funds will go to the art program.
It was fun to be a part of this exhibit's first phase!

Exhibit at Spex

The opening at Spex went quite well. Thanks to all that stopped by and
thanks also to the gang at Spex for putting on such a nice event! The
work will be on display until November 6, so anyone can stop in to see
the art (and eyewear) anytime.

Opening Reception at Spex!

I will be exhibiting my watercolors at the Spex store at 1130 W.
Madison, Chicago from Wednesday, September 23 to November 6. This is a
part of the Art+Vision program that Spex runs at many of their retail
stores. There will be an Opening Reception on Friday, September 25,
from 5-8 pm. If you can, please stop by to see the work, have a drink
and chat a bit!

A Short Trip to New Mexico

Took a short trip to Taos, New Mexico last week to visit family and
managed to steal a little time one morning to paint. This one is of
the flowers and Russian Sage growing around an adobe storage building.
Weather was sunny and cool that morning, perfect for working outdoors.

Monday Outing

Yesterday we went to the Chicago Historical Museum T Clark & North
Avenues. It was free admission day and altho the museum is her
interesting it was just too nice a day to stay inside. On the east
side of the building there were gardens and plenty of benches so I
found one and set to work.