Mr. Brainwash


One of the highlights of Art Basel Miami 2008 was learning about Mr. Brainwash.
Just outside of the Scope Art Fair was this fabulous mural of Obama. Mr. Brainwash's vision is to make the world a better place and he was creating a lot of free art (postcards, posters etc). It was a great counterpoint to all the art shows which were so much about ego and money. Check out his website here.



Art Basel Miami 2008

I'm back...I have read reviews of the muted fair (due to the economy) but I had a fabulous time!
The weather was a welcome break from an early cold spell and snow storm in Chicago. I enjoyed the challenge of transforming a hotel room into a gallery...my DREAMSCAPE. So many of the works exhibited were born of dreams so I just extended the metaphor into an installation. The "Pool" images above the bed were printed on multiple layers of chiffon and floated as the mild breeze came in thru the window.

more on other aspects of the fair coming soon....

Pool Art Fair Miami 2008

I am busily making preparations to exhibit at The Pool Art Fair (satellite show of Art Basel) in Miami next weekend. If you are in the area, please stop by and say hello.

December 5-7 4pm-10pm daily
Cavalier Hotel Room 213
1320 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach

In thinking about this show, I realized that all the work discusses the 4 elements...Earth, Air, Fire and Water. Interesting how the basics of life reveal themselves without even trying.


I am very excited about my "Pool" images. I have always loved fabric and for the first time I have found images that translate to fabric. The Pool photos are printed on 4 layers of chiffon and will be hung either in a window or in front of a mirror with air circulating around them. I will post some installation shots once I have them.

Here is a listing of all the Miami Beach Art Fairs
December 2008

Art Basel Miami Beach | Aqua Art Miami - Aqua Hotel | Aqua Art Miami - Wynwood
Art Miami | Art Now Fair | The Artist Fair | Bridge Miami Beach | Bridge Miami Wynwood
Design Miami | Fountain Miami | Full House Pool Art Fair | Geisai Miami | Ink Miami
NADA Art Fair | Photo Miami | Pulse Miami | Red Dot Miami | Sea Fair | Sculpt Miami
Scope Miami | artASIA

If you happen to be in town....here is where I will be


The Opening ~ from The Treatment Room series

The 2nd Annual
Mary Beth Cregier Memorial Photo Exhibition
November 15 to December 20, 2008
Opening Night Reception: Saturday, November 15 from 6 - 10pm
Around theCoyote Art Gallery
1935 1/2 North Avenue, Chicago

The works in this show were chosen by curator Catherine Edelman of the Catherine Edelman Gallery in Chicago, Illinois.


Couch No. 3 ~ from The Treatment Room series

Where Art and Politics meet....Baraka, the movie


I am obsessed with Barack Obama. I read on someone's facebook that Barack means blessing and then recalled that one of my very favorite films is Baraka. I went online

One of the user comments on Amazon.com .....

A Milestone of Revelation

'Baraka' is a work of art which rates amongst the greatest achievements in the field. As with any masterwork, it is something one will have to pursue. For those that seek it out at the proper time, 'Baraka' can act as a milestone of revelation. What the viewer takes from this film will solely be determined by the life experience they bring to it. 'Baraka' is unique in that it actually requires a commitment of time and concentration. This is a film that communicates its message without utilizing standard film language. Those that try to make the images conform to the conventional notions of Hollywood story telling are likely to give up in frustration. For a film with no plot,characters or dialog, it communicates an astonishing number of profound themes. Those who are familiar with National Geographic or the works of David Attenbourough will have little trouble in identifying the fascinating locals and tribes, but be forewarned: there are reasons that there are no subtitles or text on screen. Personal discovery is at the heart of the filmmaker's intentions. The ambient soundtrack by Michael Sterns weaves the images together on a separate plain, producing a hypnotic pathway for the images to flow. Once you allow yourself to be pulled along by this current of sound the images will link themselves together and the true revelations hidden within 'Baraka' will make themselves apparent. You may find as I did that your subconscious will be at work on 'Baraka' for many weeks after the experience, unlocking doors to a greater understanding.

It feels like no coincidence that the 2 came together in my mind. Treat yourself to an amazing experience and watch it....

ONE WORLD



I was amazed to see the locations of people who have been checking this blog today.
The readership has been from Switzerland, United Kingdom, Canada, Virgin Islands, Iran, Turkey, Bolivia, Argentina, Spain,
Singapore, Puerto Rico, France, China, Venezuela, Slovenia, Italy, Germany, Australia and or course, the United States.
AMAZING! It makes me think about how we live in this one, precious world. I pray with all my heart that the US gets it right this
time. I will be at the election polls tomorrow in the state of Indiana (a neighboring swing state) and then travel to my home town of Chicago for the celebrations. I can't help but visualize the WHOLE WORLD levitating in celebration of a new beginning and a new visionary president, Barack Obama, of the US.
Stay posted....

The World as a Kinder, Gentler Place


I know that the world will be a kinder gentler place with Obama at the helm.
While canvassing in Hammond, Indiana I came across this sign at a church. Inside were the voices of gospel singers. What another wonderful moment of experiencing the OBAMA EFFECT!

If anyone has any time in the next 2 days and wants to help during this historical time, click here to help with phone banking. Look for me tomorrow night in Grant Park, Chicago, welcoming in the first Afro American President of the United States of America!
god bless.

Just Back



my studio

I am just back from a 2 week artist residency at Ragdale. Nothing is more precious to an artist to have uninterrupted TIME and SPACE. If you are an artist, you should consider applying!


The Prarie Burn series will be unveiled in December at Full House / Pool Art Fair in Miami Beach, a satellite show of Art Basel.

The Unveiling


Last night was the unveiling of the NOT JUST ANOTHER PRETTY FACE exhibition/fund raiser at the Hyde Park Art Center. I did not realize how nervous I was until an hour before the opening. The couple who commissioned the piece had not seen it....

the drum roll......



here is the accompanying text in the exhibition catalogue.

"With my ongoing fascination with the human condition, there is no greater satisfaction than to attempt to capture the "connection" people have with each other, especially when love is involved.
Trying to make the intangibe tangible. Working with Curran and Young was a delightful experience, pushing me to reconfigure my photographic equipment so as to capture the "feel" of their relationship.
Surprises awaited me. The work was conceived in a manner which allowed the imagination to play in the dark recesses of the image while accentuating the light and sensuousness of their relationship."