Andersonville Arts Weekend

The Opening Night Reception is Friday, October 10, 2014 - from 6 to 9pm. I will be hanging out at Scout on Friday and will be showing four beautifully framed drawings from my latest body of work there.

Untitled - India Ink, Acrylic Paint, Arches Watercolor Paper, 40 x 26 inches

I will also have unframed work at Las Manos Gallery. Michelle Peterson Albandoz and Tricia Rumbolz will also be showing new work. Stop by both places if you get a chance, it will be a fun night.

Upcoming Event - March 28, 2014

I am planning an event for  Friday March 28th at Las Manos Gallery. On that day I will have been using the gallery as a studio for six weeks - it is time to see if that exercise has been fruitful.

'Paper Thin'

March 28, 2014

From 7 to 10pm

Las Manos Gallery

1515 W. Foster Ave.

773 728-8910

Untitled (Spillway3) - Acrylic Paint on Acid Free Mat Board - 31 x 40 inches

I have been making a series of drawings based on the physical and conceptual qualities of blue prints, moving them in a minimal, process driven direction. They still evoke the 3 dimensional world, but speak of the process of drawing and the specifics of the materials. These drawings are very difficult to depict on the computer screen due to Moire Pattern interference so stop by to see them in person if you get a chance. 

Detail

I will be piggy-backing with the Chuck Meyers (http://chuckmeyers.com) painting show at Scout (http://scoutchicago.com) that takes place on the same night. They will open their reception an hour earlier at 6pm, and I will stay open later hoping to catch the crowd once Larry closes the doors at nine sharp. Chucks new paintings look beautiful and it will be an spectacular show. 

In addition, Derek Ottens and Christopher Ilth will be using the former 'She Art' space on the west side of Las Manos for a pop-up gallery that weekend, and they promise to fill it with their newest furniture assemblages and Chris's amazing collages Friday night. And I am hoping to install a piece in 'Wooly Mammoth' on the east side of Las Manos. (http://www.woollymammothchicago.com)

A Few Photos Inside Scout - My Work on the Walls

South Wall of Scout

One of Three Cardboard American Flags

Add caption

Photos From My Opening Reception at Scout

Thanks to everyone that helped make my opening reception at Scout such a success; Larry, Sheryl, Michelle, Christopher, Zach, Kathy, Duey, Leif, Nicholas....  I could not have done it without you. You made the evening at Scout both a tremendous presentation of my work, and an over the top party - fun people,  just the right cocktail (Dark and Stormy), and sensational music. The vibe could not have been better.

Thank You,

Michael

Scout Invite

Scout Teaser - Work on Panel

Untitled - Acrylic Paint on Panel - 12 x 12 inches

Detail

Save The Date - October 11th at Scout

Post-Show Recap

Last weekend was a big one, and it's a relief to get it done and move forward. This week too has been very busy with submission to the CTA for a public art project, and many follow-up details from the shows at Scout and Las Manos. I am posting a photo of the finished 'Flag' piece at Las Manos as it hangs on the walls there. It is constructed out of old cereal boxes with India ink on them, mounted on Arches watercolor paper.

And the weather was good this week, cool but sunny. The light has shifted into the fall mode, longer shadows, less contrast. Not much time to make photos but shot this quickly thrown together panorama on my way to the gallery on Wednesday.

Reception At Scout October 2012

The reception for the Scout show was Friday night. Great party, great people. The evening flew by in a whirlwind of friends, art, music and a really good time. Thanks to Wil Vodak for making this panorama with his cell phone.!?

Busy Week - Show This Friday at Scout

I''m facing a very full week. My show at Scout opens on Friday and Las Manos opens its' last show in the current space the same day. I'm in pretty good shape for both given I work diligently all week and no unexpected dramas occur. I have previewed many of the pieces that will be in the Scout show, just take a look at the last few postings. I of course want to take part in the Las Manos show too, given my history with the gallery. So in keeping with the concept and materials of the Scout show I'm working on a large flag like piece for Las Manos. It has completely taken over my living room and until it is finished I won't get it back. The piece should be finished in the next 24 hours, if everything goes according to schedule and I don't run out of 'Mad Men' reruns. Below is a photo of the piece in progress. Hope to see some of you this coming weekend. Materials are; India Ink on recycled cardboard, mounted on Arches Watercolor Paper. Size approximately 45 x 90 inches.

Save The Date - October 5, 2012

I will be showing forty or so 'Constructed Drawings', both framed and unframed. Their will be some new 'Lake' watercolors, but I'm working in a smaller size this summer. And I have a few 'Swimmer' drawings too. Exact time yet to be determined but most likely 6pm until 10pm.

October Show At Scout

For my upcoming show at Scout on October 5th I have made a series of 'Constructed Drawings', which by the time I done will number forty or more. Lately, when I begin an idea, I work through it in a series, staying within a format and using like materials. This series began with recycled cereal boxes and an idea I had regarding some fabric I had seen at the Art Institute. The latest constructions, working from the same format and materials, have become much more structured - even architectural - as you can see in the image posted. My aesthetic has always overlapped with Larry's from 'Scout', and the notion of creating a series specifically for him and his amazing shop makes sense. I'm very excited to be able to present these at Scout beginning Friday night, October 5, 2012, which will be the kick-off for Andersonville Arts Weekend.

Overall dimensions 18x 24 inches. India ink on recycled cardboard mounted on Bristol paper.

Photos From My Opening At Scout II

I've been home all week with a cold and have not had a chance to recap my drawing show at Scout last weekend. It all went very well; Larry and his assistants at Scout, Cheryl and Corey, could not have been more helpful, encouraging and upbeat. The Friday night opening, as in years past, was very well attended, and I had to greet people from out on the street for a time when my claustrophobia kicked in. It was great to see everyone, and thanks for all the support. And thanks to Mieke Zuiderweg for the photos from Friday nights opening.

Upcoming Drawing Show at Scout

Beginning October 14, I will be showing new drawings at Scout, in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood, as part of Andersonville Art Weekend. Larry Vodak, the owner of Scout is quite the writer and has written a very nice introduction to the show that was part of the e-vite we sent out this week. I have on occasion accused Larry of overwriting, and perhaps praising me too much, but it is so gratifying to have someone this enthusiastic about my work, I can not and will not complain. I hope everyone can make it. The Friday night opening is usually quite the party with good music, nice crowd and a few drinks. If you require quieter surroundings to contemplate art, come by on Saturday or Sunday of that weekend, I will be in the store both those days. As always, there is quite a variety of work but there are a few very strong pieces if I do say so myself. Hope to see you there.

Labels

Now that the postings are mounting, I wanted to mention how helpful the labels can be to look at a specific subject. For example if you are looking for India Ink drawings, be sure to click on the label 'india Ink' and all of the posts with that link attached to it should pop up. Some helpful labels might be: Chicago, panorama, drawing... They appear at the bottom of each post. I will include them all here. Give it a try, don't be afraid.

My Show at Scout

I finally have some photos from my opening at Scout at the beginning of the month. Thanks to Mieke Zuiderweg for taking these great photos when all the rest of us forgot to pull out our cameras. Mieke is the go-to person if you need an event covered. She always manages to find the beauty in a chaotic environment. And the opening did get quite rambunctious by the final hour. We had a great crowd and the music got louder by the hour. Thanks to everyone who showed up and made it such a festive evening.

New Orchid Drawings

A couple of new orchid drawings, simple, minimal, understated. They will be in the upcoming show at Scout.

Symmetrical Hosta

This is a drawing from a series I made in June of this year. The drawings are large, (38 x 50 inches), and the materials are India Ink on paper. I framed a two for the upcoming show at Scout and one of these drawing we split down the middle are framing the two halves seperately and presenting them as a pair. Can't wait to see how it comes out.

Save The Date - Scout - October 2010

There is a typo, can you find it?

Another Foliage Drawing