October 17, 2015

It's October—a perfect time to enjoy the crisp air, beautiful light and colorful leaves. It's also time to enjoy some Cubs baseball (can you believe we are saying that?)! And it's Artists Month in Chicago, too, so there are lots of events happening now and coming up, so read on. Our list of "save the dates" is almost as long as our list of paintings. Stay tuned for invitations to:

• our art exhibition at Truman College
• open sketch at St. Gregory Church
• Ken's art exhibition at Ten Cat
• DePaul Community Chorus' November concert

But first, it's our last class of the term—but don't worry, we start right up again next week. Meanwhile, while our numbers were small, we all painted with gusto and seemed to highlight the events and themes of the season. Looking closely, you can see Bill has perfectly captured the autumn light on Lill Street Gallery (a nod to Chicago Artists month, perhaps?)

Abla, too, paints Chicago, but hers is a detailed look at a summer storm on the lakefront.

It's one last look at summer for Madeleine as well. Here's a beautifully romantic look at nicotiana from the Chicago Botanic Garden. Sadly, this picture doesn't do it justice. Be assured that the actual painting is nowhere near this out-of-focus.

Marva's flowers are equally beautiful but totally imaginery. We love the happy Peter Max vibe we get from Marva's garden—you just have to smile, don't you?

Mohammed's girl in a garden is also progressing quickly, especially when you look at the size and level of detail. The grass and wood feel like grass and wood, don't they?

Steve is sketching the beginnings of his next painting, working out perspective and anatomy on tracing paper before he commits to watercolor paper.

Susan put the final touches on her large painting of the hanging coffins of Sagada, just in time for  Day of the Dead celebrations. Besides defining the shapes of the coffins, she added people to give a sense of size and perspective.

Elaine is also preparing, but she's getting ready for next Saturday's Fall Open Sketch session at St. Gregory the Great Church, shown here. We'll add information below since you're invited to join us.

Upcoming events and important announcements

And now, have your calendars handy. It's time to plan the final flurry of activity before the snows fly and we head indoors for cozy winter fun. Start marking your calendars. You are invited to the following ... in date order.

Expressions in Watercolor
There's still time to see our exhibition, Expressions in Watercolor, from now until mid-November. Drop by and see all the glass cases.

When:  October 8–November 15, 2015,
             9am–5pm, Monday–Friday
             9am–3pm, Saturday

Where: Truman College McKeon Student Services Building
             (behind the main building)
             1145 W. Wilson Avenue

Autumn Open Sketch date.
It's an open sketching/photography session on Saturday, October 24 from 12:30–3:30pm at St. Gregory the Great Church and we are invited! This is a great opportunity to see a magnificent architectural treasure in the beautiful autumn light, so bring your cameras, sketch pads, pens and pencils. A docent will also be on hand to answer questions.

     Where:
     St. Gregory the Great Church
     5545 N. Paulina
     Church entrance is on the corner of Gregory and Paulina;
     one block west of Ashland and one block south of Bryn Mawr

     When:
     Saturday, October 24
     12:30–3:30pm

The Ten Cat Ten Cat Show.Ken will be having a show at Ten Cat Tavern. Come to the opening reception at (where else?) Ten Cat on Saturday, November 7.

      Where:
      Ten Cat Tavern

      3931 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL

     When:
     Exhibition: October 26–December 7, 2015
     Reception: November 7, 2015, 3pm

DePaul Community Chorus Concert.
Come hear Steve in the November concert, Darkness & Light: Nordic and Mediterranean Perspectives. 150 voices strong, eight part harmony—it's beautiful and it's free!

      Where:
      DePaul Concert Hall
      800 West Belden, Chicago

     
     When:
     Sunday, November 22, 2015 at 3pm
 

And finally, as Vivian so eloquently paints it..... Go Cubs!