Patti Bartelstein ~ The Project Room

Light ...from Patti Bartelstein 

This past Tuesday evening, I attended to a wonderful charity event at The Project Room located in Chicago’s River North Gallery district. A relatively new space to the district, owner and fine art photographer Patti Bartelstein, has created an environment meant to “inspire action and ignite change to positively impact our world”. Tuesday’s event seemed to do just that.

The event consisted of cocktails, an intimate dinner for thirty, and a book signing. The Dinner and Dialogue reception was for author Steve Pemberton; Chief Diversity officer of Walgreens Inc, a child advocate, motivational speaker, and author of the critically acclaimed book, "A Chance In The World". All proceeds from the event would benefit UCAN… an organization with a mission to heal, educate and empower the trauma-inflicted youth of our communities.

As we sat down to dinner, Pemberton spoke—revealing segments of the story of his life. His basic message was that… Youth who have suffered trauma can become our future leaders. He—in fact—is proof of the possibility.

But the evening was not just about Pemberton’s book and the UCAN organization… the event also offered a peek into Bartelstein’s gallery. A group exhibition titled “Out of Darkness Comes Light” was displayed, creating a wonderful dinning atmosphere. The group exhibition consists of seven international artists who present work that “sheds light on our strong will to not only survive but to rise above adversity and to CREATE in ways that inspire action to positively impact our world.” The artist included in the exhibition are: Jill King, Allison Svoboda, Paul den Hollander, Justin Maxon, Jose Romussi, Marco Nereo Rotelli and Bartelstein herself.

Patti Bartelstein, an accomplished photographer in her own right, creates amazing dreamlike imagery of figures, in white flowing garments, presented in fields of moving gardens. The extended exposure of the subject creates the surreal environment. The artist backlights the image to add to the entrancing effect. In defining the content of her work, Bartelstein explains:

I work from the inside out, using internal narrative as the foundation in which to produce my canvas that reinterprets space, light and form found in the external. How I connect with the external world and then my interpretation of it is the driving factor behind my entire body of work. From all of this, my life’s work became clear, a dedication to what I have titled, “The Study of Connectivity”, an ongoing and constantly evolving portfolio of work.

If you’re in the River North area, check out “Out of Darkness Comes Light” at The Project Room. The Project Room is located at 217 West Huron, in Chicago’s River North Gallery District. Gallery Hours: Wednesday through Saturday 11 am to 6 pm or by appointment.

The Project Room supports emerging and mid-career artists in all media whose work embodies well-executed conceptual depth.
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Paula Kloczkowski Luberda and Michael Van Zeyl ~ Gallery 180

Tomorrow night from 5:30 - 7:30, Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago will host the opening reception for the work of Paula Kloczkowski Luberda and Michael Van Zeyl. The exhibition presents Kloczkowski Luberda's abstract stoneware vessels with the classic figure and still life paintings of Van Zeyl.

The Opening Reception will take place on Friday, March 15 from 5:30-7:30 pm... with all work available for purchase. Gallery 180 is located at 180 N. Wabash—at the corner of Lake and Wabash—in Chicago’s Loop. Validated parking is available at the Self Park on the corner of Wabash and Randolph for $14. Enter 1/2 block south of the gallery on Wabash. Ask for a validation ticket when entering the gallery.

The gallery is open Monday through Thursday from 8am-8pm, Friday 8am-5:30pm and Saturday 9am-5pm. Additional information can be found at gallery180.com.

Richard Laurent at ZIA Gallery opens Saturday 4-7:30

Richard Laurent, Dogs of War 22" x 28" oil on linen, 2011 

Opening on Saturday, March 9th, ZIA Gallery will host a reception for contemporary master, Richard Laurent. Created with metaphorical imagery, Laurent’s technically superb paintings are cleverly composed to fill each canvas with representational clues for the viewer to explore, consider and resolve. From a statement from his web site, Laurent explains…

"The metaphorical animal continues to intrigue me as subject. As a result of this exploration into metaphorical forms, I have come to understand the natural world from a different perspective and, hopefully, with more clarity. There is always some narrative content that my non-human subjects bring to the work."

 The paintings of Richard Laurent will be presented through April 13th. ZIA Gallery is located at 548 Chestnut Street in Winnetka... 2 short blocks from the Winnetka Metra Station. Additional work by Laurent can be seen at: www.ZIAgallery.net

Richard Laurent grew up in the West, in Denver, Colorado. He came to Chicago to study printmaking with Misch Cohn at the Institute of Design/IIT and began his career as a designer. After distinguished careers as art director of animated films and magazines as well as editorial illustrator and cartoonist, Richard had a realization that his future lay in the fine arts. Intense self-study followed, eventually leading him to some of the major art museums in the world.  

From this crucible he developed his painting practice. Paintings from the period were described in reviews as "painterly, informed by master work, and metaphorical in content." In 2003, he joined the Fine Arts Building Gallery as a resident artist and began painting out of his studio 922.

Richard has exhibited at the International Museum of Contemporary Masters of Fine Art and has shown his paintings at Oil Painters of America national exhibitions since 2004. In 2006, he was awarded the Dick Blick Prize by OPA.  He mounted a solo show at the Fine Arts Building Gallery in Chicago under the title, "Heavy Petting– The Painted Animal” in 2004. That same year at the National "Animal in Art" Exhibition, juror Ed Paschke awarded his painting “Best of Show in Oil Media.” In 2006, he mounted another solo exhibition at FAB Gallery entitled "Beauty & Beast."  In May 2006 in a visual essay exploring definitions of classical beauty, Artscope.net reviewed the exhibition.  In 2008, his painting "Swimming" was purchased by the Illinois Institute of Art for its permanent collection.  Recently, he was commissioned to paint a large, two-panel painting for Wachovia’s corporate office.  In addition he was commissioned for two large oil paintings for the Schaumburg Convention Center. He has also been a participant at two Chicago and Vicinity exhibitions at the Art Institute of Chicago. 

Richard's drawings and paintings are included in two monographs: Contemporary American Drawing and Contemporary American Painting, published by Jilin Fine Art, He was also included in an article on Oil Painters of America in American Art Collector (May, 2009). Richard's oil paintings have also been shown in various juried and invitational gallery shows around the country, including NYC and Scottsdale, AZ. When he isn't painting in the studio, Richard teaches in the Art + Design Department at Columbia College.

Michael Van Zeyl ~ Previews Monday at Gallery 180

The Reception, 2013, oil on linen, 30 x 24

"The Reception" is just one of the classic figurative paintings, to be presented in the Michael Van Zeyl / Paula Kloczkowski Luberda exhibition which will open this Monday at Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago.

With an obvious love for the human form and numerous portrait commissions to his credit, Michael Van Zeyl's figure paintings are known to capture the subtle nuances of his subject's character. The real beauty of Van Zeyl's work is his depiction of the experience of the subject. He explores how light falls on the planes of the face or hands—the reflection of color from one surface to another. His passion—clearly the creation of realism—is found defining the beauty of a woman or the relationships of elements in a still life. His use of light molds a dimensional portrayal onto the two-dimensional panel or linen surface—defining his subject with passion and with the sense of a moment in time.

The Reception - Detail, 2013, oil on linen

The work of Michael Van Zeyl and Paula Kloczkowski Luberda will be presented at Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago through May 2, 2013. Previews begin on Monday, March 4th. An Opening Reception will take place on Friday, March 15 from 5:30-7:30 pm. All works are available for purchase. Gallery 180 is located at 180 N. Wabash—at the corner of Lake and Wabash—in Chicago’s Loop. The gallery is open Monday through Thursday from 8am-8pm, Friday 8am-5:30pm and Saturday 9am-5pm. Additional information can be found at gallery180.com.

Michael Van Zeyl is a graduate of the American Academy of Art in Chicago. While running his own graphic design studio, Michael took evening and weekend classes here at the Palette and Chisel and in New York at the Art Students League to advance his training as an artist. Michael is now a full-time professional portrait and gallery artist and has been exhibiting work in various shows and galleries across Illinois & the nation. He has received multiple commissions, honors, and recognition from: Portrait Society of America, Portrait Society of Atlanta and American Artist Magazine.

Tom Torluemke ~ Fearsome Fable – Tolerable Truth

Last week, I drove down to the Hyde Park Art Center to see the Tom Torluemke installation titled "Fearsome Fable - Tolerable Truth". I've worked with Torluemke in the past and when I saw his imagery on the Art Center's web site, I was intrigued. The installation—located in Gallery 4—consists of 40 cardboard reversible wall panels spanning 170 feet. The reversible panels present two views of the world... One side apocalyptic and the other side approaching utopia.

While I was there, the Utopia side of the panels were being presented. I found myself exploring the environment along with six other people... all but one was in their late teens or early twenties. The younger crowd seemed disrespectful of the work... one boy leaning against a panel as he sat on the floor... another picking up a floor piece and tossing it with disregard. They were strangely mocking the imagery. One even pointed out an instance of domestic violence... making light of the daily horror some people experience even in a perceived perfect world. The work is amazingly thought-provoking yet my experience left me disillusioned. I wondered if this generation of self-entitled, disrespectful, unthinking children will grow up in time to save the world. But then, the generation before me probably had the same thoughts.

The Hyde Park Art Center is located at 5020 South Cornell Avenue in Chicago. The center is just a few minutes south of downtown and easy to get to from the major Chicago expressways. The exhibition continues through April 28th and there is a "Second Sunday / Turn It Around Event" scheduled for Sunday March 10 from 1-4 pm. The exhibition shouldn't be missed.

Born and raised in Chicago’s inner city, Tom Torluemke has exhibited his paintings, sculptures, murals, and drawings extensively across the Midwest since 1980. His artwork has been shown in solo exhibitions at venues including the Chicago Cultural Center, South Bend Museum of Art, the Indianapolis Museum of Art, and in group exhibitions across the nation. Permanent public art commissions by Torluemke in fiberglass, wood, and terrazzo tile can be seen in the Indianapolis/Marion County Public Library, the Indianapolis International Airport, and Purdue University-Calumet Campus, to name a few locations. He currently lives and works in Dyer, Indiana, where he and partner Linda Dorman ran the (now-defunct) respected contemporary art space, Uncle Freddy’s Gallery. Torluemke received a BFA from the American Academy of Art (Chicago) and is represented by Linda Warren Projects. 
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Michael Van Zeyl ~ Gallery 180

Michael Van Zeyl, Still Life [Flowers], 16 x 18", oil on panel, 2013

On Friday, March 15th, Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago will host a catered reception for an exhibition presenting the formal figure and still life paintings of Michael Van Zeyl. Van Zeyl's paintings will be exhibited along side of the abstract sculptural vessels of Paula Kloczkowski Luberda.

The classical imagery of Michael Van Zeyl explores the human form as well as traditional still life. The subjects are rendered within a painterly atmosphere—where light defines form—to create compositions of classic mastery. In discussing his work, VanZeyl explains:

I create art because I am truly fascinated by the process of transforming a flat, blank canvas into the illusion of dimensional form, atmosphere and mood. I consider the theme of my work to be the rhythmic flow of natural light and the poetic use of edges to transform oil paint into my version of visual perception and taste. I look to my daily life for inspiration and am attracted to subjects with an elegant, classic or simple beauty. To keep my work fresh and evolving I enjoy organizing a multitude of painting explorations. The greatest reward for me is when viewers emotionally respond with my artwork and are visually stimulated.

The work of Michael Van Zeyl and Paula Kloczkowski Luberda will be presented at Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago through May 2, 2013. Previews begin on March 4th. An Opening Reception will take place on Friday, March 15 from 5:30-7:30 pm. All works are available for purchase. Gallery 180 is located at 180 N. Wabash—at the corner of Lake and Wabash—in Chicago’s Loop. The gallery is open Monday through Thursday from 8am-8pm, Friday 8am-5:30pm and Saturday 9am-5pm. Additional information can be found at gallery180.com.

Michael Van Zeyl, Nature's Touch [Detail], 20 x 30", oil on linen, 2012

By the time he was seven years old, Michael Van Zeyl had declared he was going to be an artist. He attended art school and then continued to paint on the side while working as a graphic designer. In 2005, after a successful career in graphic design, he decided to follow his passion and become a full-time painter. Notable for their “old world” romanticism, Michael’s work includes still life and portraits that are highly formalized using traditional oil techniques. This style, which was once considered commonplace, is today what makes him unique. His paintings stand in stark contrast to the abstract and conceptual art that we’ve come to expect. His work will fill you with sense of nostalgia for a time you never knew, but truly wish you had.

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Paula Kloczkowski Luberda ~ Coming in March to Gallery 180

“Ovate”, 8”w x 7”h x 11”d, Stoneware, 2012 

Save the Date: Friday, March 15

The abstract stoneware vessels of Chicago artist, Paula Kloczkowski Luberda will be on exhibit at Gallery 180 beginning on March 4th. Accompanied by the still life and figure paintings of Michael Van Zeyl, Kloczkowski Luberda's conceptual structures make reference to nature as well as the human form.

Having worked figuratively for a number of years, Kloczkowski Luberda has been exploring a new voice of expression. Her recently-created objects continue to reference humanity—or the lack of humanity—politics, and the flaws of Corporate America, but this new direction is not only concept. The work addresses the material source as concept itself—exposing and embracing the subtle flaws of the medium. Not mass-produced by machine, the subtle imperfections refer to our own humanity. The artist explains:

“Conceptually, these abstract vessels reveal the challenges facing humanity while expressing strength, endurance, power and a level of vulnerability.”

“Secret Void”, 8”w x 12.75”h, x 7.25”d, Stoneware, 2012

The work of Paula Kloczkowski Luberda will be presented at Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago through May 2, 2013. Previews begin on March 4th. An Opening Reception will take place on Friday, March 15 from 5:30-7:30 pm. All works are available for purchase. Gallery 180 is located at 180 N. Wabash—at the corner of Lake and Wabash—in Chicago’s Loop. The gallery is open Monday through Thursday from 8am-8pm, Friday 8am-5:30pm and Saturday 9am-5pm. Additional information can be found at gallery180.com.

Paula Kloczkowski Luberda is an established and widely exhibited artist for the past twenty plus years. Her work has been shown internationally at the Ceramics Biennale in Gautang, South Africa, and nationally at Orange County Center for Contemporary Art, Santa Ana, California; Center for Emerging Art, Miami, Florida; George A. Spiva Center for the Arts Joplin Missouri; Texas Artists Museum, Port Arthur Texas and Salisbury State University, Salisbury Massachusetts to highlight a few. Regionally her work was shown at the Rockford Art Museum, the Evansville Art Museum, Indiana, Indiana University, the University of Wisconsin, North Central College, Illinois Institute of Art, Highland Park Art Center and Harper College Palatine, are among her many exhibitions. She has been represented by 4 Chicago area galleries during the past 15 years and exhibited at numerous other venues such as the annual SOFA Show at Navy Pier, the Illinois Institute of Art, the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Borders Book Store, and AT&T Corporate offices. 

Along with her extensive exhibition history she has won numerous awards like the Illinois Institute of Art Purchase Award and a First Place Award. Other awards included a Merit Award from Salisbury State University; Best of Show, Nicolet College, Wisconsin; 3rd Place Indiana University; Merit Award Quincy Art Center; Honorable Mention, Rockford Art Museum, and an Award of Excellence from the Norris Cultural Center in St. Charles, IL.

In Addition to her professional work she has also engaged in lectures and public speaking on her work and methods as well as art in general. This included an invitation as guest artist lecturer at Roosevelt University, Chicago, an exhibiting artist lecture at Harper College, Palatine, and Borders Book Store on Michigan Ave., Chicago and invited speaker at various art organizations. She and her work have been featured in the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun Times and the Daily Herald as well as other print media. Her work was also featured on NBC Channel 5 news.

Ms. Luberda’s education includes a BA in Studio Art, an Associate’s degree in Design and Illustration, specialized instruction in ceramic sculpture from the Art Institute of Chicago, fiber sculpture Concordia University, Montreal Canada, Mold making San Antonio Institute of Art, San Antonio, Texas, Patination at Cleveland University, Cleveland Ohio. 

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