Looking Optimistically Toward the Future.

Portrait of Alexandra Courtenay- Clack

(In Progress)

Oil On Wood Panel

This has apparently become a bi-monthly blog! The last two months have again been tumultuous and time consuming to say the least, such is life I suppose, and you have to take what it gives you most of the time.  The good news is that time goes on, the only constant is change...blah, blah, blah...

The good news is that in a month I will be living in Chicago, attending the School of the Art Institute of Chicago for MFA and student teaching Offset Lithography! 

While traveling to S.A.I.C. in May, I was very impressed by the warm generosity of the professors and admissions counselors, the mind-blowing talent of all of the undergraduate work, as well as the the stellar print facilities.

It seems odd to remark on this, but I really appreciated how organized, enthusiastic, confident, relaxed, and humble everyone seemed to be.  Equally impressive were the seminars I attended from the art history and journalism departments which expressed the departments' commitment to developing in a direction set by student research.

Portrait of Elena Grajek

(In Progress)

Oil On Wood Panel

On the last day of the trip, I managed to make time to quickly walk through the museum of the Art Institute of Chicago, which is literally down the hall from the print studio where I will be working.

Chicago reminds me of all of my favorite cities combined, it has a bit of the industrial beauty and variety of New York, as well as beautifully preserved or restored 19th and early 20th century architecture.   I also found it is possible to eat and live well with very little money which is an honest necessity of many recent art graduates...myself included.

The final trip to Alfred was rocky but positive, and I felt privileged to have the chance to see the  thesis shows and graduations of some of my amazingly talented friends.

For the time being, until I move, I will be packing, applying for employment, finishing up a new incarnation of my professional website, working on small drawings, and for the next few days, the three portraits shown here.  In about two weeks I am going back to Chicago to view apartments, which I am, surprisingly, looking forward to as I found three beautiful, well preserved Art Deco buildings in my price range, with heat included in the rent which, I am told, is key to survive Chicago winters with heat as well as food. 

Portrait of Jason Blandford

( In Progress) 

Oil On Wood Panel

   

Portrait of Jason Blandford, detail

( In Progress)

Oil On Wood Panel

Well, that just about covers it until next time!

Good Luck!