My Bike Betty

Greetings fellow adventurers! Since 2014, Betty and I have been traveling the streets of Chicago discovering art and artistic expression along the way. Join in and post your experience here!
My Bike Betty
  • A Two for One and Some Down-time
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  • Tag: Innertown Pub Chicago

    • Imagination Brains Meets Mr. Imagination

      Posted at 7:33 pm by jan, on March 23, 2015

      When I was in graduate school my mother would occasionally call me “Imagination Brains” and in-turn we would laugh. A joke not so much because of the name but because this term was originally used by her mother and father to describe someone spending too much time being creative and not enough time working (9-5 respectable, grinding it out, unhappy labor). So when I heard of the exhibition, Welcome to the World of Mr. Imagination, Betty and I hit the pavement.

      Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art, 756 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Open Tuesday-Saturday 11-6, Thursday 11-7:30, and Sunday 12-5. Admission $5

      Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art, 756 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Open Tuesday-Saturday 11-6, Thursday 11-7:30, and Sunday 12-5. Admission $5

       

       

       

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      Chicago native Gregory Warmack (Mr. Imagination 1948-2012) prolifically created art from found objects and in particular, bottle caps.

       

       

       

       

      Pivotal in the artist’s life was a tramatic event in 1978. For forty-two cents he was robbed, shot in the stomach, and left to die. Six weeks in a coma followed and during this time Warmack believed he traveled to a past life where he lived as an Egyptian Pharaoh. Inspired by this experience much of his work’s content is seen throughout his lifetime.

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      These last two beautiful images of the artist are perhaps my favorite in this body of work. Indicating by the look in his eyes, he knew something we don’t. I like to think it’s the beauty, simplicity, and potential of what is often thrown away.

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      And last Betty and I headed over to two events where creative souls gather…

      The Bitter Betty Bazaar held regulary at The Inner Town Pub, 1935 W. Thomas

      The Bitter Betty Bazaar held regulary at The Inner Town Pub, 1935 W. Thomas

      Communities that shop together support each other!

      Communities that shop together support each other!

      A must have from Stephanie Rohr, stephXstich.etsy.com. Adults, check out this artist work! Ha!

      A must have from Stephanie Rohr, stephXstich.etsy.com. Adults, check out this artist work! Ha!

      Betty’s Response: Now that’s ART!!!

      Last, over to the Empty Bottle…

      In the bathroom @ 1035 N. Western Ave., The Empty Bottled hosted the Chicago Independent Labels Pop Up Shop from noon to 5pm for local vinyl, CDs, tapes wrapped in glorious ART!

      In the bathroom @ 1035 N. Western Ave., The Empty Bottled hosted the Chicago Independent Labels Pop Up Shop from noon to 5pm for local vinyl, CDs, tapes wrapped in glorious ART!

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      The Funs, It’s Strange I’m Here, cover art by Jom/Fumo/Majik

       

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      The Phantom Scars, cover art by J.R. Williams

       

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      Rubrics, Abolitionist

       

      OK! Betty and I are off but first, and always, extending to you a gigantic invitation to get out there and SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!!! And along the way keep your eyes wide open for artistic expression…its EVERYWHERE!

      -The residual purpose of art is purposeless play. This play however, is an affirmation of life–Not an attempt to bring order out of chaos nor to suggest improvements in creation, but simply a way of waking up to the very life we’re living, which is so excellent once one gets one’s mind and one’s desires out of its way and lets it act of its own accord. -John Cage

       

       

       

       

      Posted in An Extension To All, Museums, Galleries, Cultural Centers, Theaters, Festivals, Music, Parades | 0 Comments | Tagged Bitter Betty Bizarre Chicago, Innertown Pub Chicago, Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art, The Empty Bottle Chicago
    • Betty and Betty and Some Christmas Cheer

      Posted at 6:12 pm by jan, on November 13, 2014
      Innertown Pub, 1935 W. Thomas St. and the Bitter Betty Bazaar!

      Innertown Pub, 1935 W. Thomas St. and the Bitter Betty Bazaar!

      Inhibition: Walking into a bar alone still inhibits me however, since the project began in January it doesn’t keep me from a new experience.

      Betty’s Response: Yea, cause no one cares.

      Experience: Innertown Pub hosted a really sweet bazaar that featured local artist’s work and with Christmas just around the corner Betty and I headed over for a look.

      Unique Creations and Art by Tina Spinelle and Mike Dixon

      Unique Creations and Art by Tina Spinelle and Mike Dixon, cspinelle@hotmail.com and mmmdixon@hotmail.com

      Le Cave Records + Crates, super kewl hand crafted and screen printed crates.

      Le Cave Records + Crates, http://www.lecaverecords.com for super kewl hand crafted and screen printed crates.

      Delicious cider, coffe, and Bloody Mary drink specials and a chat with Vincent. He shares an envelope of images taken of his family and the surrounding neighborhood.

      Delicious cider, coffe, and Bloody Mary drink specials and a chat with Vincent. He shares an envelope of images taken of his family and the surrounding neighborhood.

      @puffsofdoom!!!! For some serious deliciousness!! I had the bacon mac and cheese, puff-style! YUM!

      Puffs of Doom @puffsofdoom!!!! For some serious deliciousness!! I had the bacon mac and cheese, puff-style! YUM!

      And onward in a cozy environment to check out November's Participating Vendors: Area 51, Bitter Betty Bath, Emerald Den Games/Knock Down Barnes, Forward Rewind Art & Design, Hotrocks, It'll Glow on You Illustrations, Le Cave Records, Margaret Julia Designs, Pajaro Negro, Passion House Coffee Roasters, Puffs of Doom, Salvaged Metal Designs, Tarnish, Truss & Ore.

      And onward in a cozy environment to check out Area 51, Bitter Betty Bath, Emerald Den Games/Knock Down Barnes, Forward Rewind Art & Design, Hotrocks, It’ll Glow on You Illustrations, Le Cave Records, Margaret Julia Designs, Pajaro Negro, Passion House Coffee Roasters, Puffs of Doom, Salvaged Metal Designs, Tarnish, Truss & Ore.

      And on a side note there were purchases made however, because they were for my family, otherwise known as my sole blog readers, they’ll remain under raps until Christmas.

      What I didn’t know: I had no idea what an terrific neighborhood bar Innertown Pub is, warm and inviting, and that this bazaar not only happened this November but will also take place Sunday, Dec. 7 from 12-6pm, Facebook.com/thebitterbettybazaar.

      Alright! Betty and I are off but first we must shout it out!!!…get out there and SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!!!

      Posted in Eats, Theaters, Festivals, Music, Parades | 1 Comment | Tagged Bitter Betty Bath, Emerald Den Games/Knock Down Barnes, Forward Rewind Art & Design, Hotrocks, Innertown Pub Chicago, It'll Glow on You Illustrations, Le Cave Records, Margaret Julia Designs, November's Participating Vendors: Area 51, Pajaro Negro, Passion House Coffee Roasters, Puffs of Doom, Salvaged Metal Designs, Tarnish, Truss & Ore.
    • Recent Posts

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    • Categories

      • An Extension To All (134)
      • Museums, Galleries, Cultural Centers (91)
      • Theaters, Festivals, Music, Parades (34)
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