The "red" Reception...

There was a wonderful turnout at tonight’s reception for “red” the National Juried Exhibition at Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago. Three pieces were acquired for the school’s Fine Art Collection. They were: Richard Benoit’s "Earth Writing", Claudia Craemer’s "The Path was Chosen for You" and Lorraine Sack’s "Sea Captain". The show continues through November 11th. If you have the opportunity, drop by the gallery to see this wonderful collection of work from around the country. The show is free to the public and the presented pieces are available for purchase. Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art is located at 180 North Wabash—at the corner of Lake and Wabash—in Chicago’s Loop.


Richard Benoit "Earth Writing" acrylic on wood, 24x24"


Claudia Craemer "The Path was Chosen for You" oil, 40x40"


Image: Lorraine Sack, “Sea Captain” oil on linen, 18x24”

Thursday, October 8th... Art in Chicago

There are two amazing art events happening—this Thursday—in Chicago. First, the reception for the Maggie Meiners "Childhood Contemplations" exhibition takes place at The University of Illinois at Chicago, Student Art Lounge, from 4-7 PM. The gallery is located at 828 S. Wolcott in Chicago. The show continues through October 30th.


Then... from the Chicago Art Institute Web Calendar, In conjunction with the loan of Caravaggio's "The Supper at Emmaus" from the National Gallery, London, Keith Christiansen will lecture on the path-breaking genius of this Italian Baroque master. Christiansen is a leading specialist in Italian painting from the Renaissance through the 18th century, and has worked on all aspects of Caravaggio's art. In this lecture he will look closely at the artist's pictorial style, which at the time was considered radically modern and remains compelling today, nearly four centuries later. The Lecture will take place in Fullerton Hall of the Art Institute of Chicago, from 6-7pm. The address is 111 S. Michigan Avenue.

Image: Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio.The Supper at Emmaus, 1601. The National Gallery of London, Presented by the Honorable George Vernon, 1839, NG172.

Ardrea Harris at Homey Gallery

An exhibition of wonderful new nature paintings by Andrea Harris will open tomorrow at Homey Gallery, located at 3656 N. Lincoln Avenue in Chicago. I dropped by the gallery last week to get a preview of Harris' new work but most of the pieces had not yet been delivered. There was—however—a few of her new works to review. I was impressed. Harris' technique has matured and the presentation of the mystical environments elevates the imagery to a new level of wonderful. The exhibition—featuring oil and cold wax paintings—will continue through October 26th. Tomorrow's reception will include a book signing of "In the Forest and Beyond" which features Harris' imagery. Harris will be funding the planting of a tree with the purchase of each book... and a grove of trees for each painting sold. The reception for Harris will be from 6-9pm—tomorrow—Saturday, October 3rd. If you have the opportunity to see this exhibition, it will be worth your while.

Image: Andrea Harris, "Surreal Forest", oil and cold wax on canvas, 60x60"

Richard Benoit... Earth Writing

Richard Benoit is just one of fourteen Artists included in the "red" exhibition currently presented at Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago. While reviewing Benoit's web site—www.rbenoit.com— I found a wonderful Artist Statement which is both passionate and insightful. From his web site:

Paintings are like poetry. If their meaning isn't completely spelled out or absolutely clear, that meaning will rustle about like dried leaves and eventually come to settle. At that moment when the meaning comes to light one gets a sensation of peace and recognition, a glimpse of the universal. The best paintings are not tied to any particular time or place but are flexible vibrant things that bring a fresh feeling each time they are viewed.

I like to treat the canvas not as a place to describe something but more as a place for something to happen. I often arrange random visual elements in such a way as to excite the viewer's curiosity and intuitive sense of aesthetics. Put simply, my art is a random collection of chance and intent with the under-
lying belief that art can be a transcendent experience. While working I like to leave evidence of the art making process (dribbles, brush strokes etc.) to celebrate the act of communication. Beauty is important but not at the expense of emotion, and passion is always more important than technique.

For me art is a quiet place of introspection and repose. I like to create work that people would want to return to time and again, work that elicits an emotional response, work where there's truth not just taste and real beauty, not just ornamentation. Memorable art is a refuge, a place to smooth the waters. Through my work I wish the viewer a life full of quiet moments, full of answers, full of peace, and full of beautiful engaging art.

Benoit's “Earth Writing”, can be seen—along with the works of thirteen other artists from around the country—at Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago from September 14 through November 11. The Reception for "red" will take place on Friday, October 9th from 5:30-7:30. Gallery 180 is located at the corner of Lake and Wabash in Chicago's Loop. The exhibition is free to the public and all works will be available for purchase.

Above: Richard Benoit, "Earth Writing" acrylic on wood, 24x24", $850.

Lite Brite... Maggie Meiners

"Childhood Contemplations"—a solo exhibition of large-scale photographs by Maggie Meiners—will be presented at The University of Illinois at Chicago, Student Art Lounge, from September 28-October 30. An opening reception is scheduled for Thursday, October 8 from 4-7 PM. The gallery is located at 828 S. Wolcott in Chicago.

I first presented pieces from this collection—last fall—at Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago. The works are amazing. The mere size of these forty-inch square digital c-prints, allows the viewer to become engulfed by the imagery and to explore their inner mind. The various color patterns are meant to trigger memories on which to contemplate. Michael Weinstein of "Newcity" had a wonderful observation in his September 18th review of the show when he wrote that Meiners' creates "...pure psychedelic abstractions in which the blurred and glowing colors bleed into each other and dance before the eyes." In defining her own work, Meiners explains...“Although the use of blurred imagery seems to defy logic, this intentional shift in focus is meant to transfix and then transport the viewer to a mind space where memories run wild. Various spectrums of color are used as a guide to revisit and explore memories of the past."

Take some time to see this exhibition... and if you have the opportunity to attend the reception on October 8th, introduce yourself to Meiners... she's an amazing lady.

You can find additional work by Meiners at: maggiemeiners.com

A Creative Social Club...

I took some time—yesterday—to drive downtown and meet with The Chicago Creative Social Club at Gallery 180. The creative networking organization is defined on its web site, as “THE Meet up Group for creative people in Chicago.” The group …“supports the Chicago creative community by promoting social connections, enjoyment, and learning across all creative disciplines…” So when the Director of the organization contacted me to ask if I would address the group, I agreed.

I was asked to cover a variety of art-related topics including: the current exhibition being presented at Gallery 180, titled “red”, information about The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago, exhibition opportunities, the Chicago Gallery scene, and information on my duties as a Curator. I probably spoke a little too long but the amazing snacks—provided by the Ai Culinary School—kept the group conscious. After the very informal presentation, I spent time talking with some of the individual members. I met some wonderful people and ate a few too many of the monster chocolate, chocolate-chip cookies.

In any case, if you’re near Chicago and are looking for a creative group, with which to mingle, check out the Chicago Creative Social Club at: creativesocialclub.com

A Wonderful New Home In The Clouds...

Most Artists think of their work, as thou it were their children. It’s probably because the Artist brought them into the world. And when they're ready to leave home, every “parent” wants to know that their children are doing well. Well, two of Nancy Rosen’s “children” are doing very well in a new wonderful home in the clouds.

I spent the morning—installing two of Rosen’s pieces—in a wonderful home on an upper floor, right off of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. The two mixed-media works were purchased from Rosen’s recent exhibition at Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago. The collector spotted them while walking by the gallery, which is located at the corner of Lake and Wabash in Chicago’s Loop.

Above - Rosen’s pieces hang in the formal entry of the collector’s home. Additional work by Rosen can be found at nrosen.com