I'm a Chicago-based architect and watercolor painter. This blog is formerly "Una Pintura Cada Semana" (a painting a week), which I started upon my friend Sabina's suggestion. Eventually I renamed the blog "A Good Day's Work," which comes from a Matisse quote that I love: "Derive happiness from a good day's work, from illuminating the fog that surrounds us."
Since moving to Chicago about five years ago, I have primarily painted the urban landscapes and architecture of the city. The unique architectural character of Chicago’s neighborhoods, diverse cultural influences, and the natural beauty of the city parks and Lake Michigan provide me with artistic inspiration. Painting away from home offers the opportunity to create a record of my travel and to inform my ongoing work in Chicago.
Pencil and watercolor is my primary medium. I typically paint on watercolor paper, often experimenting with hot and cold pressed papers of varied weights. I paint en plein air as possible. When weather or other factors necessitate painting in studio, I work from sketches, photographs, and notes. Painting is, for me, a meditative act of observing, that which is extraordinary in my surroundings. I am influenced by Winslow Homer's portrayal of light. I frequently explore techniques of illustrating natural light and water, which with their dynamic natures make for dramatic, often poetic, compositions. I am continuously working to simplify my paintings, focusing on the essential relationships of darks and lights and allowing for the transparent and layered nature of watercolor to reflect the subtleties of atmosphere.
I am interested in documenting the portions of cities, which are not considered traditionally glamorous or beautiful. These hidden corners of Chicago and other cities are a reflection of the spirit and humanness of the place, the positive and the negative. My objective is that my paintings feel honest, as well as recognizing the ambiguity and complexity of truthful images.
Pencil and watercolor is my primary medium. I typically paint on watercolor paper, often experimenting with hot and cold pressed papers of varied weights. I paint en plein air as possible. When weather or other factors necessitate painting in studio, I work from sketches, photographs, and notes. Painting is, for me, a meditative act of observing, that which is extraordinary in my surroundings. I am influenced by Winslow Homer's portrayal of light. I frequently explore techniques of illustrating natural light and water, which with their dynamic natures make for dramatic, often poetic, compositions. I am continuously working to simplify my paintings, focusing on the essential relationships of darks and lights and allowing for the transparent and layered nature of watercolor to reflect the subtleties of atmosphere.
I am interested in documenting the portions of cities, which are not considered traditionally glamorous or beautiful. These hidden corners of Chicago and other cities are a reflection of the spirit and humanness of the place, the positive and the negative. My objective is that my paintings feel honest, as well as recognizing the ambiguity and complexity of truthful images.
Other random facts about me:
I delight in the exhilarating freedom of riding a bike around the city.
I’m trying to improve my currently pathetic crossword puzzle skills.
My least favorite vegetable is the beet.
My favorite quote about Chicago: “Loving Chicago is like loving a woman with a broken nose. There might be lovelier lovelies, but never a lovely so real.” –Nelson Algren
