Greetings All! Betty and I will be taking a break from blogging while I focus on a new project. However, the site will remain with hopes you may visit from time to time for ideas on where to explore.
Until this next adventure is complete, and I return to you, keep discovering. Look for art and artistic expression everywhere and post your experience here!
Recently, Betty and I headed to Pilsen to check out a community gallery and artist’s co-op, Pilsen Outpost. Co-owners and artists, Teresa Magaña, Pablo Ramirez and Diana Solis provide a space reflecting diverse artistic expression saturated with cultural influences. Supporting the objective of the gallery to represent community artists, they regularly have workshops and openings.
1958 W. 21st Street
Nicolas de Jesus
Diske Uno
Pablo Ramirez
The gallery also includes screen prints, crafts, textiles, jewelry, and rotating art exhibitions.
Finishing up the day, and grateful for my journey, we got this snap of our beautiful city!
Ok all! Let’s get out there and explore, look for art and artistic expression and then share it here…all while you SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!!!
Recently, The Reader published an article featuring artist Jean Marie Cate and her lovely art store, Martha Mae: Art Supplies & Beautiful Things. I enjoyed reading about her personal story and journey so much that Betty and I headed north.
5407 North Clark Street
Located in Andersonville, the shop is an art installation all its own. Every aspect of the store is curated and composed by Cate. Upon entrance the effects of music, atmospheric light and soft soothing color, intriguing objects, and the presence of Cate and Martha Mae create an inviting and magical space.
And last, the inspirational Martha Mae.
I left this experience with a lovely ceramic drinking vessel and a desire to return with friends and family.
Many thanks to Cate for the opportunity to take images and share them with you. For product details and images check out marthamae.info.
Alright! Betty and I are off on our next journey, exploring art and artistic expression. As always we’re inviting you to do the same, post it here and SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!!!
Alright! Get ready to have your mind blown and guess what?! This is the work of my musician brother. One word, Canjos! Get this, handmade ukuleles made to include vintage cans as the body. The necks, neck joints/heel, frets, fretboards, inlays are all made by him. Check out some in-process work and final instruments!
My treasured Christmas gift, absolutely priceless.
A big thanks to my family for providing me with all the pics to post here. I am so proud of your creative work.
Alright! Woo! Betty and I are hitting the streets for some adventure to share with you, and of course, inviting you to join in, look for art and artistic expression everywhere. Post your finds here and SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!!!
From time to time I love to post about the creativity in my own family. Aside from their talent, I really appreciate the thought, process and how the work reflects aspects of their personalities.
First, sister-in-law small metal artist of Fierce Flare (on Facebook) and yes, these intricate metal pieces are done by hand, incredible. Below are some personal favorites however, her portfolio is varied and vast. No way you visit her site and not find something you would love to wear or admire in or outside your home.
Custom made like this piece above fits perfectly…waaaaaaaaaant!
Many of her works incorporate re-appropriated materials like these guitar pics above and below…so damn kewl!
Next, my lil bro and nephew’s original line drawings. A continuum of line, creativity, and imagination.
Last, textile works from my dear mother composed and woven from repurposed fabrics.
Whew! So much talent I have to create part II!
Greetings fellow explorers! I am super excited to share this week’s find. As an artist and a teacher I am always encouraging collaboration. Magical things happen! So when I discovered Backroom Pop-Up Bar, Johalla Projects art gallery, and the Field Museum were presenting, Celebrating Specimens, I couldn’t wait to check it out. 
The Tank at Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, 12 S Michigan Avenue
Now through March 25, Friday and Saturday nights from 5pm – midnight, enjoy a tasty beverage from James Beard Award semifinalist, Paul McGee while exploring real specimens, observing museum experts in action and then joining in on projects and activities.
Field Museum’s Chief Preparator, Akiko Shinya gives the presentation, Dig Your Own Dinosaur
And then, WE DID!
Great fun while we gathered as a community, learned and laughed! Like I said, magical things happen when you collaborate!
Alright, Betty and I are off on our next journey. We’re inviting you to join in, explore, look for art and artistic expression everywhere, post your experience here and SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!
Hello All!
Do you remember this guy from…
CTA’s Red Line at Lawrence,
and W. Lunt and Ravenswood Ave?
Of course you do! It’s Hebru Brantley’s, Chi-boy public art works! As much as Betty and I love to discover these murals along our way, we were super excited to discover new works in a couple of cozy gallery spaces.
Now through February 25th check out, Hebru Brantley, Eat Crap King exhibition at Vertical Gallery.
1016 N. Western Ave
Bros Before Hoes (real friends), spray paint, charcoal and acrylic on canvas, 2017
Influenced by Japanese anime, and identifying with the non-traditional works of street artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, Brantley pairs the familiar image of Basquiat with pop-culture artist Andy Warhol. Brantley’s work references the issues and relationship of art work within the “white cube” as institutionalized and work that rebels against it.
First Major Solo Exhibition, spraypaint, charcoal, acrylic on canvas, 2017
Just Catch Your Breath (study), spraypaint, charcoal, acrylic on canvas, 2017
Samo & Andy #2, #3, hand-painted resin, 2017
Shook Up the World, spraypaint, charcoal, acrylic on canvas, 2017
The mask in this series were certainly a surprise to me and after a discussion with Vertical Gallery the discoveries continued across the street at, Line Dot. The journey began with this…
and then there were THESE, more hand-painted resin masks! These superhero kids, most untitled, were created to represent urban youth who are daily challenged by social injustices.
For you fellow wonderers, details!
Blue Devil
Sun-Ra
Super interesting day and one I invite you to share. Wonder, explore, and discover art and artistic expression everywhere! Along the way, post it here and SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!!!
Greetings All!
As the Chinese New Year approaches, Betty and I got in on some of the celebration this week at a favorite community space…
Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E Washington
Chinese Arts Society hosted a one hour presentation of song, dance, music, and martial arts. Kicking off the year of the rooster was of course these handmade incredible beast…
Yay!!! From the lion’s mouth a red “envelope” symbolizes the extension of well wishes, good health, prosperity, and happiness in the new year.
Traditional music invited the Long Yun Kung Fu Troupe to showcase martial arts.
Long Yun Kung Fu Troupe is famous for the artistic way in which they present traditional Chinese martial arts. On a side note, each artist was selected for the troupe by martial artist and actor, Jackie Chan.
Local dance emphasizing tradition.
Last was this Mongolese singer that blew our minds!
Alright, Betty and I are off on our next journey, encouraging you to join in, and of course inviting you to post your experience here and SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!!!
Happy New Year All!!!
So what begins the new year better than a bottle of champagne? A two-week puppet festival of course! Check out, chicagopuppetfest.org for a performance that best appeals to you and/or your family.
This week Betty and I checked out the MCA preview of Silencio Blanco’s, Chiflón, El Silencio del Carbón (Chiflón, Silence of the Coal), where I enjoyed an audience participated talk with the creators and artists and a one on one interaction with the puppets.
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, 220 E Chicago
Silencio Blanco Puppeteer group with cofounders, Santiago Tobar and Dominga Gutiérrez
During the talk I was touched by the way the group held and interacted with the puppets.
Hand made from newspaper, each puppet was incredibly personal, expressive, and full of life.
AND! They let us touch them!
Betty and I are off to another show and will share some of our finds next week. Till then, join us on a ride, exploration, and discovery of art and artistic expression. Lastly, post your experience here and SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!!!
Well Betty and I are ending another year of our project. It has been so gratifying that we will explore on into 2017! For this last post of the year, I want to say thank you to all of those who make art, create artistic expression, and who tirelessly make it possible for us to experience it.
Below are images I took this month on our journeys. They make me happy and grateful so of course I want to share them with you. Happy New Year everyone!
Remember friends, explore, look everywhere for art and artistic expression, learn and feel along the way and lastly, post your experience here and SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!!!
My Bike Betty 
