Sketches and doodles.

Throughout the day, I sketches the some of the most memorable events that transpired. At the Cloud Gate, Lia got her hotdog and I observed the pigeons. The weather was bright and we enjoyed the sunlight in Millennium Park. At the Chicago Cultural Center, Holly, Lia, Sarah and I could not stop taking pictures of the most gorgeous mosaic structures and I loved the inspiring messages inlayed in the walls. The entire building just sparkled. After, walking down through the Loop, I just casually "people watched" as some of the girls went into a store and I watched someone hail a taxi. The hand gesture was most appealing so I sketched his hand as he got in. Good day for sketching my inner thought process. Enjoy.

The Windy City

Our small adventure through Chicago was exciting and eye-opening. I've grasped many different views of art, from sculpture to street art, and from classical to modern. It was fun being with friends, on a glorious day. The trip to the Chi has given me lots of new experiences especially with the fine art we visited in the John Hancock Building, and wandered up and down the Magnificent Mile. We stopped at the Chicago Cultural Center, The Art Institute of Chicago, and Millennium Park to visit the Cloud Gate. Then we peeked in to the astounding Atlas Gallery. After, we took a brief lunch break at the SouthWater Kitchen, and off to the John Hancock Building. On the 25th floor, we visited four fine art galleries, Richard Gray, Maurice Sternberg, KM Fine Arts and Valerie Carberry. After, we just came back to the Art Institute of Chicago, and then took the long bus ride home to East Lansing. I would definitely come back to Chicago many more times, the art will always be worth the trip.

Discovering New Artists

   Hailing from Recife Brazil, Romero Britto was born in 1963. His work is extremely bright, optimistic, and uplifting, being compared to Roy Lichenstein with his use on color. Since his recognition in the art community, Britto has also been recognized for his charitable work with various causes such as St. Jude's Children Research Hospital and Best Buddies International. He has been exhibited in over 100 countries including Germany, France, the US and Great Britain.
http://www.britto.com/

Michael Cheney was born in New York in 1951, and attended Boston University to study art. There he was taken under Philip Guston a very prestigious expressionist. Then he studied at the University of Illinois under the direction of a Gallo. His paintings have a sense of awakening with his methods, such a lively use of color and technique.
http://mikecheney.com/Mike_Cheney/Home.html

Mackenzie Thorpe was born in Middlesbrough, England in 1956. His techniques are very warm and soft, often referring to cute messages of love and peace. After studying at the Middlesbrough College of Art, and then Byam Shaw School of Art. After, he ventured to Richmond, North Yorkshire and set up an art shop selling supplies. Great Britain has recognized Thorpe to be a great asset to the art community as he has received, 'Best published Artist Award' from the Fine Art Trade Guild; an Honorary Master of Arts Degree from the University of Teeside and being chosen to produce five official Christmas cards for conservative politician William Hague.

http://www.mackenziethorpe.net/

Other Artists I have discovered on the trip were:

Alessandro Magnasco

Rosalba Carriera

Dawoud Bey

Julia Margaret Cameron

Edmond Guilliaume

Jean Louis André Théodore Géricault

Mikhail Mikhailovich Cheremnykh 

John Singleton Copley

Kukryniksy

John Smibert

Galleries and The Magnificent Mile

   As we meandered through the Magnificent Mile, we stopped at Millennium Park and the Chicago Cultural Center. The weather was brisk and refreshing and we, Sarah, Lia, Holly and I waltzed towards the John Hancock Building. Along the way we stopped at Atlas Galleries, where priceless Picasso, Renoir, Degas and Albrecht Durer pieces were on display. We then met my aunt for lunch at the SouthWater Kitchen where I had a "turducken" burger (yes, it does exhist, duck, turkey and chicken burger.) and sweet potato fries. After we bee-lined for the JH building where we were escorted to the 25th floor.
   On this floor was the the Richard Gray Gallery, Valerie Carberry, KM Fine Arts, and Maurice Sternberg. All were very unique and contained jaw-dropping (literally, JAW-DROPPING.) art. I couldn't chose a favorite, nor could I ever describe the phenomenal pieces on display. After this great escapade, we just found our way back to the beginning and had time to stop for a bit of shopping at Utrecht Art Supply and a quick cup of joe.
   (Then my bus broke down.)

Art Institute of Chicago

Our day started off at the Art Institute of Chicago. I have visited the Institute before and was only interested in the new exhibitions being held such as the extensive Armory collections and the Belligerent Encounters. Above are just some of my favorite pieces such as the french casket from the early 18th century, and the Beheading of Saint John by Giovanni di Paolo.