We're back! The good news greeting us on our return was that Truman installed a new air conditioning unit.... just in time for the 90 degree plus weather. The bad news was that it wasn't up and running yet, so we are looking forward to a more comfortable session next week. Meanwhile, what says summer in the midwest more than waving fields of corn? And so, we begin with Ken's newest series—Corn. He is planning to continue this all through the summer, finishing up in fall (just like the real crop). Here is the first in Ken's new series. It reminds us of a lush art deco mosaic.
We get a little closer here. The corn is still stylized with a mosaic background, but Ken has more of an emphasis on the stalks and tassels.
Moving even further away, Ken's cornfield looks like a dense forest with textured blue sky and grass. We love the difference in the angle of the corn from the background.
Bill, too, is painting quintessential midwest summer sights, but his is more urban. We love the vast expanse of water separating the urban fishermen from the distant shore. And the subtle directional fishing lines add just the perfect touch.
We're all about summer. Bill was fascinated by the planters on Sheridan Road and couldn't resist doing several fresh, lovely studies of urban flora.
Can't you just feel the concrete planter?
Moving even closer to home, Bill is painting a houseplant in bloom. (Greeta knew the name, but I forgot it, so we're just calling it a "houseplant.") The elegant composition really draws attention to the focus of the painting.
More urban flora and fauna. This time, Madeleine paints the butterflies at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Center. In a wonderful touch, she paints graphic leaves on the green background, mimicing the graphic nature of the butterflies.
More urban fauna! Greeta has her own personal robin's nest to paint. Seriously! A family of robins built a nest at eye level in her backyard. Here is the mother robin.
And here are the babies. One of them sticks his head up looking for food, while the other flutters his wings for the first time, trying to fly.
In somewhat of a theme, Greeta paints her grandson as he runs track at school. He's graduating this year and, like the robin above, is spreading his wings and preparing to leave the nest.
Susan is also painting people in summer. Don't you love the smiles on the faces of her niece and nephew? No wonder they are happy—they've just had ice cream!
We seem to be fascinated by the people in our lives. Madeleine paints her teacher. Zoom in to see the lovely face and fabric—not to mention the beautifully textured background. The angles of bricks and floorboards creates movement and energy around the still figure.
Aren't we skilled? Madeleine paints a ceramic piece she created. Now she uses it as a sort of shrine to hold mementos and other small bits.
Here's another memento... of a sort. Elaine is painting a neon sign. The sign is no longer there, qualifying it as a memory. And the colors give it a retro vintage feel.
It's time for Sara's annual self-portrait, an idea we love. She begins with a sketch (below). She made great use of the large cosmetology mirrors to draw from life and not a photo. We are eager to see how this year's portrait series progresses; the sketch is the best one yet, we think.
Allow us to introduce Mary, our newest student. Like Sara, she's doing a self-portrait. And like Sara, she's beginning with a pencil sketch. Given her skill with pencil sketching, we think this is the perfect way to move into watercolor for her. Welcome!
You're invited
You are cordially invited to a free concert by the DePaul Community Chorus (our very own Steve is a member). They are a 150-member chorus and present three free—yes, you read that right—concerts every year. Opera Favorites from England and America happens on Sunday, June 12 at 3pm. This concert will be held at the DePaul Concert Hall (a lovely converted church) at Belden and Halsted. And it is absolutely free!
Opera Favorites from England and America
Sunday, June 12, 2016, 3pm
DePaul Concert Hall
800 West Belden, Chicago
800 West Belden, Chicago
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