Guest Artist

I have not been creating my own artwork as of late, but I have been working with some very talented youth.

This work is from seven year old Chloe.

For Sale

In an attempt to generate extra income during a struggling economy I have partnered with Society 6.

Artwork on Society6 is created by thousands of artists from around the world. When you buy a product from Society6, they produce it using the highest quality materials, and ship it to you on behalf of the artist.

There is not a large body of my work present yet, but each day I will be adding images and expanding the plethora of options for my loyal supporters.  Visit often and contribute to the cause.

Happy shopping!

Chicago

My parents, wife, children, and I recently traveled to Chicago by way of Amtrak.

The train was a great experience and I would utilize it for means of transportation again.

We arrived late to our accommodations, an apartment at the Andersonville Guesthouse, and quickly headed to bed.  The next morning while waiting for everyone to rise I downloaded two apps to navigate the CTA: 

HopStop

TransitGenie

Our first destination was the Navy Pier. 

After a fun filled day at the pier we completed the afternoon with an architectural tour from Shoreline Tours.  

The next day we explored the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is free.  

They had a pond similar to Monet's in the zoo.  

Matthew could not resist having his face painted.

The highlight meal of the entire trip was a family style dinner at a Mediterranean restaurant called Reza's. 

Goodbye Chicago. Until next time.  

Have you ever been to Chicago?  If so, what did you do? 

Andersonville Guesthouse

Despite the other hundreds of people occupying rooms, hotels can be just like home if one is willing to use their imagination.  To avoid the drone of other people and their noises I recommend renting a house or an apartment when visiting somewhere for an extended time.  On a recent trip my parents, wife, children and I took to Chicago we rented an apartment at the Andersonville Guesthouse. 

Each apartment comes with an assigned garage bay and ours also had a ground floor patio.

Our kitchen and dinning area were more than adequate.   

The two bedrooms and two baths were very nice as well.

Location, location, location.   We were half a block from a bus stop, half a block from a lovely restaurant, and had very quite neighbors in a cemetery across the street.   Walking several blocks north gained us access to more restaurants, cool local shops, and a Starbucks.

Ann Sather's served an excellent breakfast and was very hospitable.  Their cinnamon rolls caused us to take an extra trip around the block though.  We enjoyed Homemade Pizza Co., a great take and bake place, too.  However, our favorite restaurant was Reza's for their family style dinner that satisfied everyone in our group.  

Amy and I explored several of the shops on North Clark Street one afternoon while everyone else napped.  Sifu was a design studio and yarn store where we snagged some cool yarn for our Aunt Zadie.  Continuing up the street we found two awesome, vintage yellow chairs at Urban Mischief.  We didn't purchase the chairs, but had a blast trying on all her fedora hats. 

We found our favorite shop of the afternoon, Four Sided, on the corner of North Clark and Carmen.  This frame shop and art boutique was full of typefaces in all shapes, colors, and sizes.  Old maps, letters, buttons, typewriter keys, letters, stickers, prints, and more letters.  This store was very aged and eclectic, yet very streamlined and modern at the same time.

The neighborhood Starbucks served us well on several occasions.  

Each evening while walking back to the apartment we stopped at a hip grocery store, Urban Orchard, for a couple items.  On these nightly excursions we would talk books, blogs, and travel with an employee, Jeremy Glickstein.  You can learn more about my new friend Jeremy and his other works at Total Man Design.

Wednesday evenings, during the summer, Andersonville host their farmers market on Berwyn Street.  We arrived as most vendors were packing up, but Amy was able to grab some Argentina style sweets called alfjores from Lucila Giagrande.  

These local pleasures would have been unknown to us had we stayed at the Ramada Lakeshore Chicago. 

Our overall experience of Andersonville Guesthouse and the surrounding neighborhood was excellent.

Five stars!

Working Like a Farmer Needing Rain

Similar to the current weather conditions two farmers were in desperate need of rain.  Both farmers prayed for rain, but only one prepared his fields for rain.  The farmer who prayed and tended to his fields was blessed with rain producing a bountiful crop while the other farmer maintained a barren field.  

I think some members of our society forget relationships need both prayer and work to be productive.  

My wife, Amy, and I had a fun date night recently. 

First, dinner at Turoni's in Evansville where we ordered the Iron Man pizza and added sausage. 

Then a trip to Barnes and Noble for gifts.  The instructions were simple: find something, anything that reminds us of the other person.   

Amy, possesses a unique, recognizable laugh that I love to hear.  When all is quite and we are in separate rooms of the house reading I love to be disturbed by her laughter.  So I headed to the humor section and quickly found a female, comedic author I thought Amy would enjoy.  

While meandering towards the register I grabbed a postcard with John Lennon and Yoko Ono's portrait as well.  Despite the adultery which created their relationship they had a strong love for one another that I pray Amy and I possess.

With my two purchases I headed to Starbucks to meet Amy and exchange gifts.  I arrived first and settled into a booth.  Amy eventually arrived all smiles and giddy.  

She was so excited to show me what she got she could not sit still.  Drum roll please . . . it was a book for our friend and neighbor Julia.  Yeah!  But wait, there was more.  A book for a former student.  Yeah!  Another book, for Amy.  Yeah!  

I began to worry she forgot why we came to this bookstore,  but she had saved the best for last.  A book on gardening for me to better provide food on the table.  Yeah! (This time it is sincere and heart felt).  I was stoked!

My head was spinning from so much new and useful information.  Date night was declared over, I had work to do back home in the garden.

What are your date nights like?

The Art of Travel

I posses a misunderstanding of how vacation should look.  

(A + B = C) Time off is represented by (A), work is represented by (B), and vacation is represented by (C).

 

My parents are to blame.

My mom, being an educator, always had summers off while my dad was allotted a set number of days.  During the summer months my dad spent his vacation days around the house completing major DIY projects around the house.   

When we did travel extended jihads to the beach for sun and surf were out of the question.  Instead we loaded the car for the weekend, drove winding country roads to an isolated town, and stayed in a bed and breakfast or small inn.  Nothing wrong with the beach, but my parents have never been much for sit, relax, and watch.  

Missions trips have been utilized as a means of travel too.  Four different mission trips have landed me in New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and Venezuela.  These are great opportunities because they allow you to make a difference in someone's life while experiencing selfish travel, but still not a standard vacation.    

Even my honeymoon travel could be considered abnormal.  While we did pick a romantic city, Savannah, we went during the hottest time of year, walked everywhere, and did not go on a ghost tour.  

I am not bitter about my vacation ignorance, but rather appreciative. 

Cities and towns are full of local flavor.  As tourist we typically miss this delicacy because we are, "just passing through," on our way to bigger, better places.  For the best travel experience one must immerse themselves into the local culture.

Golden Rule: do not be a tourist

- Rent an apartment or house instead of hotel

- Walk, ride a bike, or use public transit to get around

- Dine only in local restaurants versus commercial chain operations

- There is an app for that

How do you like to travel?  Been anywhere interesting this summer?

For A Good Cause

Five or six years ago during the early days of 10studios I compiled an eclectic mix of 70 works to demonstrate the seven elements of art.  Pieces ranged from drawings and paintings to a small cafe size table and two chairs.  Over time many of these works were purchased by family, friends, community members and the occasional stranger.  However, some still remain, sealed in the basement archives.

Recently John Cartwright, a member of Thodos Dance Chicago, approached me about donating a piece of art for a silent auction.  Humbled, I graciously opened the archives and offered three pieces.  

This large still life drawing of apples was created during a demonstration for a small group of high school students in Hancock County.  

While eating a gala and granny smith apples I drew the progression of consumption.  Each new image overlapped the previous one and created a cubist style.  After the real apples were long gone I returned to the piece adding thick amounts of oil pastel breathing new life into the apples.  

During my non-objective faze I created these two acrylic paintings: Thing 1 and Thing 2.

Each piece is constructed from multiple layers of color and line. 

I now anxiously await the auction and encourage you to check out the other pieces of work available. 

Have you ever participated in a silent auction?  What did you purchase? 

Creative Problem Solving

Looking for a decorating ideas? Budget so small it does not exist?  Try placing bright, colorful fruit in a large vase and sit it on a stack of magazines. Works well on coffee tables, sofa tables, and dressers.  I chose lemons for this cool vase.

Lower Cost

A rain barrel will provide a simple, inexpensive way to water the garden during a drought.  The basic supply list:

- Large plastic trash can

- 6" plastic flower pot

- 2 water valves

- 4" solid corrugated pipe

- 16" concrete slab

- 3' 5/8" water hose

A drill, saw, and water proof sealant will be beneficial too. 

Begin by removing the saucer from the 6" flower pot.

Next, place the flower pot upside down on the trash can lid and trace the circumference with a sharpie.   

Draw a second circle a quarter to half inch inside the first.

Drill a small hole on the inner circle line.

Cut out the inner circle.

Situate flower pot inside the hole.

Sit trash can lid off to the side.  

Now, cut a hole slightly smaller than your water valve at the top and bottom of your trash can.  An electric drill with a large bit makes this step much easier.

Check for a snug fit before placing a bead of sealant along the back edge of each valve and insert into the trash can.

If possible, attach valves to trash can with screws for a stronger fit.

Dump gravel or river rocks in the flower pot and place lid on the trash can.  Two thirds of the project is complete.

Place the 16" concrete stone in the desired location of rain barrel placement to create a solid, level base.

A raised platform will elevate the barrel enough to provide sufficient gravity fed pressure.  Hint: old bricks work great!

Place barrel on the platform, checking for correct height.

Cut off the bottom two thirds of existing gutter.

Attach collar and corrugated pipe.

Attach 3' hose to top water valve.  Leave this valve open at all times allowing overflow water to exit the barrel in a controlled manner. 

Pray for rain.

The more barrels, the more free water. 

Happy rain dancing!