2014: A Show in the Midwest Every Month-It Can Be Done!

I've been living in the Chicago Northshore for just over a year and have managed to tuck a number of quintessential Midwest experiences under my belt. 
The WINTER, yes, yes, there's always that. But these days what comes more to mind for this 4th-generation California transplant is the bounty: the public art which is over-the-top amazing, the people who are genuinely friendly and kind, the nearby forest reserve that is a constant source of four-legged and feathered visitors, and every time I take the Metra into The City, where I feel like the world is my oyster. 3 monster-sized Dick Blick outlets? Free music in Millennium Park? Eye-candy everywhere you look along Michigan Avenue? Bring it on!
Throwback trip down memory lane to 2001. I decided I needed to up my art career game in the West, so I made myself commit to having art work on public display, in an exhibit,  every day of 2002. S.e.r.i.o.u.s.l.y. hard to do, but the results in terms of work produced, what I learned about the business of art, and the contacts I made were incredibly positive.
Fast forward to next year. I'm feeling the need to do a repeat, kind of. Basically, I know that if I want folks out here to have a sense of my art, I need to get hopping. Expect work on public display in the Midwest every month of 2014. That's the plan and I'm sticking to it. On-line posts won't count. Gotta be real work at a physical address. 
Fortunately, January and one day in February are set
(http://theartcenterhp.org/exhibits/future-exhibits January 10 – February 1st, 2014 Opening Reception: Friday, January 10th 6:30-9:00pm), and February/March is about to be juried.
Wish me luck.
TTFN,
Renee

          Detail from Chattanooga Choo-Choo

One foot on the West Coast, one foot in the Midwest: that’s the way it’s been for nearly two years now. As with all good moves, there comes new art. 

I mean, who knew you could experience full-blown culture shock, within your own country, where you speak the same language (sort of) as the population in your new state residence,  eat the same foods (not exactly), and celebrate the same holidays in the same way (not even maybe)???? Did you know that the SPAM museum is here in the Midwest? Or that Organic Prairie Vodka (1) exists and (2) is surreal-ly delicious? It’s true.  

So how does a transplanted artist absorb and process all this wonder? In the studio, pounding metal books. But of course!

The Midwest is a trip, Chicagoland is amazing, I survived my first full winter. And I’ve been making art all about it. Much of the new work will be on display in my California Richetts' Space*, just in time for the Art Riot Reception at the Escondido Municipal Gallery 5:30-8 p.m. on November 9^th.  I’ll be at the reception too, hoping to see many good friends again. Ask me about the cheese curds, or frozen hair, or if deer in the front yard is a good thing. I’m ready with the answers! 

TTFN, I’m off to get my Illinois driver’s license. LOL.

Hope to see all you west-coasters a week from Saturday.

Renée

*Richetts' Space is located at the back of the 

Escondido Municipal Gallery Building

262 E. Grand Ave

Escondido, CA 92025 

Hours are Tues,Thurs-Sat, 11a.m.-4 p.m. 

Closed Sunday, Monday and Wednesday