Busy Summer!

Since my last post I have just been busy busy enjoying my summer. We Chicagoans spend so much time indoors that when it’s nice you don’t want to be inside! Every weekend there is some street festival or art fair going on. I’ve managed to get out to Evanston a few times this summer; I really enjoyed the ethnic art fest. I won a Shedd Aquarium membership at a recent charity auction. I took my Dad to the Kimodo Dragon show. I’m a bit of a tomboy when it comes to reptiles so my inner nine-year old was really excited about this show. What a bummer, all it was was one sleepy big Kimodo Dragon who just hung out near the feeding cage. I was hoping to see a swarm of big snarling, dangerous Kimodo Dragons but no such luck. The rest of the Shedd was beautiful. I love the jellyfish and seahorses (apparently the male seahorses give birth!). The Wild Reef exhibit is definitely the highlight, it is lit really beautifully and the reef colors are magnificent. Neon pink does really exist in nature!

Sunday night I went to the the House of Blues to see X and Rollins Band. I've been a fan of Henry for years. He still looks amazing at 45, ripped as ever. Just hearing him makes my throat hurt. I had never seen X perform but knew of the "hits". Powerful band. Exene is a fascinating woman to watch. It doesn't get any cooler than that.

Speaking of "cool", I just got a letter from the city regarding the Cool Globes project. Next summer, instead of cows (I hated those stupid cows) they are asking artist to paint globes with the theme being a solution to global warming—hey no pressure here, come up with visually appealing art and a solution for a great environmental cause! I’m working on a proposal. The globes will be displayed near the Field Museum. It would be great to be able to invite my family to see my work displayed like this, as my work often inspires comments like, “hmmm, that’s inter-es-ting”. This is something that they can support and actually “get”.

I will be working hard on sketches till mid-September. As much as I love summer, I love fall more. I get that excited, nerdy back to school feeling again. I want to buy color coordinated pencils and organizers. I love the fall foods and colors. I try to hit as many farmer’s markets as I can. I want to make some really great squash and pumpkin dishes. Indian summer is just the best time of year. While it’s nice out I still have more museums to see!