Western Avenue Series

Mile 24: Pratt-Howard
This painting is a part of my Western Avenue Series, through which I'll be making 24 watercolor paintings, one to document each mile of Western Avenue, in Chicago.  I started this project because while it is not considered to be among the most “beautiful” of Chicago’s streets, Western Avenue is a perfect place to document the humanness of Chicago, the positive and the negative. In the words of Stuart Dybek, "Western, with apologies to State Street, is a great street,  Unlike State, it is a street that goes to the interior, the heart of the city, as it glides and glows through a United Nations of neighborhoods."  

I wanted to paint the P & S Restaurant because it seems representative of a prevalent typology, in Chicago.  I think I feel a certain fondness and nostalgia for these diners because throughout my childhood my family regularly ate at diners on Sunday morning after attending church.  P&S seems perfectly representative of those dining establishments.  A glowing Yelp review of P&S says it is, "hands down, the best diner breakfast in Rogers Park!"  

The review goes on to read, "I eat here every week.  It is easier than going to the store and getting the ingredients and making it myself.  Plus it is very inexpensive and the service is great.  Brittney, Mary, Carlos, and Isaiah make you feel welcomed and at home.  You will not find this kind of service at IHOP or Baker's Square  Their hash browns are some of the best I have ever had and I love their ham...Mary makes the empanadas herself, and they are not frozen.  On top of that, they cook to order.  They will make you anything you want, if they have it in their kitchen.  Anyone who has eaten breakfast with me can attest to the "make your own concoctions" I create after I look a menu over.  They have made me a hamburger omelet, breakfast Monte Cristo, Italian Sausage omelet, and BLT breakfast sandwich, to mention a few.  Name it and they will make it."


Click here to purchase this painting.

What's your favorite Chicago diner?

Western Avenue Series

Mile 24: Pratt-Howard

This sketch is a part of my Western Avenue Series, through which I'll be making 24 watercolor paintings, one to document each mile of Western Avenue, in Chicago.  I started this project because while it is not considered to be among the most “beautiful” of Chicago’s streets, Western Avenue is a perfect place to document the humanness of Chicago, the positive and the negative. In the words of Stuart Dybek, "Western, with apologies to State Street, is a great street,  Unlike State, it is a street that goes to the interior, the heart of the city, as it glides and glows through a United Nations of neighborhoods."  Check back next Wednesday to see the painting completed based on this sketch.

The final mile of Western Avenue is located in West Ridge, one of 77 Chicago community areas. This area seems to be home to an rather diverse population, including Chicago's largest Hasidic community, as well as other Jewish, Irish American, German-American, Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Assyrian, Russian, and Korean immigrant communities.

This is reflected in the types of businesses located along this stretch of Western.  Included is the Shari'ah Board of America, whose website was not entirely functional, but I found a blog post which declared, "Need to govern your life by Sharia Law, confused about Sharia rulings? Today is your lucky day as The Sharia Board of America is here to guide you. Just submit your questions online, and wait for the reply. Or if you are in the Chicago area, just drop by."  So, seemingly the Shari'ah Board is a headquarters for the interpretation of the moral code and religious law of Islam.

The neighboring establishments are as varied as Mullen's Sports Bar, U Lucky Dog hot dog stand, and Jessie's Mexican Grill.  

Have you traveled to this most northern portion of Western Avenue?

Western Avenue Series

Mile 23: Peterson-Pratt
This painting is a part of my Western Avenue Series, through which I'll be making 24 watercolor paintings, one to document each mile of Western Avenue, in Chicago.  I started this project because while it is not considered to be among the most “beautiful” of Chicago’s streets, Western Avenue is a perfect place to document the humanness of Chicago, the positive and the negative. In the words of Stuart Dybek, "Western, with apologies to State Street, is a great street,  Unlike State, it is a street that goes to the interior, the heart of the city, as it glides and glows through a United Nations of neighborhoods."  Check back next Monday to see a post about the next mile of Western.

I decided to make a painting of Chicago Live Poultry because I was so surprised to discover it as I walked along Western.  As the name implies, it at Chicago Live Poultry, once can have a  live chicken, rooster, hen, rabbit, duck, turkey, pheasant, or pigeon for slaughter in a Zabiha/Halal traditional way. On their website it says, "As you select the product of your choice, we than slaughter it in Zabiha/Halal traditional way, cut & dress it for you with in minutes while you wait."

I haven't ventured in because as a pescetarian, I don't have a need for "live" poultry.  I was fascinated, to read this Yelp review of the Western Avenue storefront:
"My wife and I were headed to our usual meat market when we saw their sign advertising "live" poultry. We decided to go in. As soon as we opened the car door, we felt the overwhelming stink of chicken droppings. Undeterred, we pressed on.

The place was pretty bare. A counter with some pricing information and a few coolers with fresh eggs on the right...As soon as we said we wanted chickens, the gentleman in the front asked us to go in the back. As we were walking back there, we saw the slaughter room to our left. It was cleaner than what I expected. This was probably because they seem to wash it after every order. We saw them wash it down three times during the 20 minutes we were there.

When we got to the back room, we noticed that chickens were very clean looking and were not cramped as we had expected. They have two kinds -- the usual white feathered "farm chicken," and the brown/black feathered "country chicken."

Then it was time to "select" our chickens. I have to admit, we were both a little hesitant to pick the ones to get whacked. The guy must have seen this happen enough times because he instantly realized it and offered to pick them out for us. He picked out 4 chickens, then weighed them in a plastic carton, deducted the weight of the carton, and told us our total...
About ten minutes later, we had our chicken cut up in pieces."


Have you ever selected live poultry for dinner?

Western Avenue Series

Mile 23: Peterson-Pratt

This sketch is a part of my Western Avenue Series, through which I'll be making 24 watercolor paintings, one to document each mile of Western Avenue, in Chicago.  I started this project because while it is not considered to be among the most “beautiful” of Chicago’s streets, Western Avenue is a perfect place to document the humanness of Chicago, the positive and the negative. In the words of Stuart Dybek, "Western, with apologies to State Street, is a great street,  Unlike State, it is a street that goes to the interior, the heart of the city, as it glides and glows through a United Nations of neighborhoods."  Check back next Wednesday to see the painting completed based on this sketch.

The portion of Western between Peterson and Pratt feels like a heavily traveled commercial district, particularly the portion of the avenue which crosses Devon Avenue.  Devon has been settled by many immigrant groups, including Orthodox Jews, Russian Americans neighborhood, and near to Western South Asian immigrants.

In addition, this stretch of Western border nearly 90 acres of parkland, Warren Park, which is home to batting cages, a golf course, racquetball court, and in the winter an ice rink!  I was also struck by the Frank Z's car dealership, whose sign makes the claim that it is the "the world's largest" car dealership.

Have you visited the restaurants, sari shops and grocers of Devon?

Western Avenue Series

Mile 21: Foster-Peterson
This painting is a part of my Western Avenue Series, through which I'll be making 24 watercolor paintings, one to document each mile of Western Avenue, in Chicago.  I started this project because while it is not considered to be among the most “beautiful” of Chicago’s streets, Western Avenue is a perfect place to document the humanness of Chicago, the positive and the negative. In the words of Stuart Dybek, "Western, with apologies to State Street, is a great street,  Unlike State, it is a street that goes to the interior, the heart of the city, as it glides and glows through a United Nations of neighborhoods."  Check back next Monday to see a post about the next mile of Western.

The 350 acre Rosehill Cemetery was chartered in 1859 and is the oldest and largest non-sectarian cemetery in Chicago.  Rosehill contains the graves of over a dozen mayors of Chicago, four Illinois governors and 12 Civil War Generals.  In addition, it is the largest burial ground of Union Civil War soldiers in the Midwest.

The name of the cemetery is actually the result of an error, the area was previously called "Roe's Hill", named for nearby farmer Hiram Roe. He refused to sell his land to the city until it was promised that the cemetery be named in his honor.  The entrance gate was designed by William W. Boyington, the architect of the Chicago Water Tower.  


Click here to purchase this painting.

Have you visited the graves at Rosehill Cemetery?

Western Avenue Series

Mile 21: Foster-Peterson
This sketch is a part of my Western Avenue Series, through which I'll be making 24 watercolor paintings, one to document each mile of Western Avenue, in Chicago.  I started this project because while it is not considered to be among the most “beautiful” of Chicago’s streets, Western Avenue is a perfect place to document the humanness of Chicago, the positive and the negative. In the words of Stuart Dybek, "Western, with apologies to State Street, is a great street,  Unlike State, it is a street that goes to the interior, the heart of the city, as it glides and glows through a United Nations of neighborhoods."  Check back next Monday to see the painting completed based on this sketch.

Though I am certain that I had ridden the Western Avenue bus along this stretch of Western between Foster and Peterson before walking this stretch, I probably would have found it difficult to describe what was located along this portion of the Avenue.  In part, that lack of distinct memory probably comes because a large portion of the property olong this stretch is occupied by Rosehill Cemetery.  It feels a bit like the stretch of Western which borders the Dan Ryan Woods on the south side of the city--wooded and not as developed as most portions of the city. 

 

This portion of the avenue is also home to a number some typical Chicago brick two flats, modest homes which proliferate the housing stock, as well as a few businesses.  Overall the cemetery seems to dominate the landscape. 

Do you have a favorite Chicago cemetery?

Western Avenue Series

Mile 21: Montrose-Foster
This painting is a part of my Western Avenue Series, through which I'll be making 24 watercolor paintings, one to document each mile of Western Avenue, in Chicago.  I started this project because while it is not considered to be among the most “beautiful” of Chicago’s streets, Western Avenue is a perfect place to document the humanness of Chicago, the positive and the negative. In the words of Stuart Dybek, "Western, with apologies to State Street, is a great street,  Unlike State, it is a street that goes to the interior, the heart of the city,  as it glides and glows through a United Nations of neighborhoods."  Check back next Monday to see a post about the next mile of Western.

 

By coincidence, I visited the Dank Haus for the first time last Friday.  The Dank Haus building is located just south of Lawrence on Western.  I attended a rehearsal dinner held in the Skyline Lounge on the 6th floor of the building, which has a lovely view from an outdoor patio from which one can see all the way to downtown Chicago.

The DANK Haus was founded in 1959, as an organization to promote German language in Culture.  It is located in Lincoln Square, a historically German neighborhood and home to a number of German bars, restaurants, and butchers and is home to a museum, art gallery, library, and language school.

The building was built in 1927 by architect Paul Gerhardt, who was also the architect of Lane Technical High School located just a bit south of the Dank Haus on Western.  The Dank Haus website explains that the building was built for the "Three Links Association, a jolly fellows club."  Over the years, the Dank Haus has been host to a spa, a business college, a restaurant, a hotel and a cafe.  There is an Olympic sized lap pool in the lower level.

Click here to purchase this painting.

Have you visited the Dank Haus?

Western Avenue Series

Mile 21: Montrose-Foster
This sketch is a part of my Western Avenue Series, through which I'll be making 24 watercolor paintings, one to document each mile of Western Avenue, in Chicago.  I started this project because while it is not considered to be among the most “beautiful” of Chicago’s streets, Western Avenue is a perfect place to document the humanness of Chicago, the positive and the negative. In the words of Stuart Dybek, "Western, with apologies to State Street, is a great street,  Unlike State, it is a street that goes to the interior, the heart of the city, as it glides and glows through a United Nations of neighborhoods."  Check back next Monday to see the painting completed based on this sketch.

This portion of Western is quite familiar to me.  Western was the first street I encountered when I arrived to Chicago.  I exited 90/94 in a U-Haul onto Western Avenue.  I drove north along Western to my apartment, located just a block west of Western on Carmen.  It was this portion of Western that introduced me to the city.  I was not immediately attracted to the avenue.  The broad streets and hostility to pedestrians and bikes, relative lack of trees, and general resemblance to a suburban commercial strip did not offer the appeal and charm of our city’s neighborhood centers.  Gradually, though, it began to interest me. 

There are so many charms along this stretch that aren't immediately apparent.  Wells Park located just north of Montrose is home to the fantastically delightful Old Town School of Folk Music Folk and Roots festival and to an indoor pool, where I have done a small bit of swimming. 

It is also home to the Chicago Printmakers Collaborative, an always fabulous place to visit.  As well as less conventional interests, like the commercial strip just north of Lawrence, which is home to a bridal dress shop which specializes in elaborate, colorful, often sequined frocks.  In addition a furniture shop on that block which sells less common designs, including a round bed.  Finally, one can't forget the country-western singer who turned a storefront into a magic shop.  

In a Chicago Tribune article written by Patrick T. Reardon, I learned that a portion of this mile is included in part of the most diverse area along Western.  Between Lawrence and Devon Avenues, four of the five census tracts here are so variegated that no group can claim a majority. In fact, one tract which is bounded by Western, Peterson, Ravenswood and Devon Avenues, 30 percent of the residents were white in 2000; 28 percent, Asian; 21 percent, Hispanic; 14 percent, African-American and other, 7 percent.

Have you visited this portion of Western Avenue?

Western Avenue Series

Mile 20: Addison-Montrose  
This painting is a part of my Western Avenue Series, through which I'll be making 24 watercolor paintings, one to document each mile of Western Avenue, in Chicago.  I started this project because while it is not considered to be among the most “beautiful” of Chicago’s streets, Western Avenue is a perfect place to document the humanness of Chicago, the positive and the negative. In the words of Stuart Dybek, "Western, with apologies to State Street, is a great street,  Unlike State, it is a street that goes to the interior, the heart of the city, as it glides and glows through a United Nations of neighborhoods."  Check back next Monday to see a post about the next mile of Western.

I've eaten at Sticky Rice a number times, as I lived very near to this portion of Western when I first moved to Chicago.  It was a favorite place to have a dinner, when a dependable neighborhood eatery was in demand.  I generally ordered dishes typical of Thai Restaurants in the US, but Sticky Rice offers some more authentic dishes, including  fried worms.  According to an article in the Chicago Tribune written by Louis R Carlozo about this portion of Western, the version of fried worms served at Sticky Rice consists of a pile of inchlong bamboo caterpillar husks on a square porcelain plate, garnished with neat sprigs of cilantro.  He reports that the tan crawlers taste and crunch like peppered potato sticks.

In addition to fried worms, this restaurant features other dishes native to Northern Thailand.  In fact, the restaurant's name comes from the type of glutinous rice used as a substitute for jasmine rice in Northern Thailand.  Northerners eat sticky rice with their hands, in a manner akin to dipping bread in soup.  Sticky Rice offers authentic Northern dishes such as Northern Thai Sausage, made from a mix of ground pork, red curry paste, and Thai spicy herbs, as well as Kow Soy, made with egg noodles, chicken or beef, and a curry coconut milk soup. 


Click here to purchase this painting.

Have you eaten fried worms?

Western Avenue Series

Mile 20: Addison-Montrose 
This sketch is a part of my Western Avenue Series, through which I'll be making 24 watercolor paintings, one to document each mile of Western Avenue, in Chicago.  I started this project because while it is not considered to be among the most “beautiful” of Chicago’s streets, Western Avenue is a perfect place to document the humanness of Chicago, the positive and the negative. In the words of Stuart Dybek, "Western, with apologies to State Street, is a great street,  Unlike State, it is a street that goes to the interior, the heart of the city, as it glides and glows through a United Nations of neighborhoods."  Check back next Monday to see the painting completed based on this sketch.

When I first moved to Chicago, I lived just over a block west of Western on Carmen.  So this mile and the next are among the most familiar portions of the Avenue to me.  One of things I found fascinating about the stretch of Western between Irving park and Lawrence was that it is home to a large number of Thai restaurants. 

In a 2008 article by Louis R. Carlozo in the Chicago Tribune, I discovered the reason for the concentration of Thai restaurants.  There is not especially large Asian population in the area, only about 5 percent.  Apparently, in the 1970s there was a large Thai grocery store located on Western, near to the current location of the Opart Thai.  This began a draw Thai restaurants and the possibility of a Thai town.  I will include Mr. Carlozo's review of the Thai restaurants located along this stretch of Western below. 

Also, located along this stretch is the Waveland Bowl, a bowling alley which has been in operation since 1959 and accomodated portions of the "Lebowski Fest Chicago," a 2008 festival celebrating the movie "The Big Lebowski." 

I also took note of the F.L. Siegel Jr. Studio Photography, being charmed by the storefront operation of an independent photographer.  In researching the studio, I was sad to find that Francis L. "Larry" Siegel, Jr. died this Febrary at the age of 72.  According to his obituary, he was born in Joliet and  employed by Signode Steel, Chicago as a systems analyst.  As well as being self-employed as a photographer, videographer and award manufacturer operating F. L. Siegel Jr. Studios on Western Avenue.

Finally, I've always been curious about Jeri's Grill, a classic diner at the corner of Montrose and Western.  I've never ventured in but the reviews are unsurprising.  I particularly enjoyed one Yelp review, which reads:
"Memories, memories, memories.  The food is really nothing special and not worth talking about.  Your average diner food, basically.  The ambience and feel of this place is just classic though.  It's a dying breed sort of place.  These places used to litter the city, now they are few and far between.  This is the sort of place your dad used to sit and read "The Chicago Daily News." My parents used to take me in here, many years ago, so I've literally been going there for 20 years.  My dad used to run his business a block away so he frequented it, and upon my descending to the earth, the gift was bequeathed to me.  Also, this is the only place in the city, to date, that can get over hard eggs right."
 
Here are a summary of the Thai Restaurants located along Western according to a 2008 article Chicago Tribune article by Louis R. Carlozo:

Thai Room, 4022 N. Western Ave., 773-539-6150
The vibe: Open since 1979, it's a hushed, elegant Baby Boomer magnet capable of dishing takeout in a stunning 12 minutes. Signature dish is Thai room chicken, fried and glazed in an orange sauce.
Sticky Rice, 4018 N. Western Ave., 773-588-0133
The vibe: Only northern Thai spot, which means fewer curries and lots of adventure foods, from fried worms to durian (a fruit some have compared to eating a gym sock). Haven to hipsters from Wicker Park and beyond.
Spoon Thai, 4608 N. Western Ave., 773-769-1173
The vibe: Relaxed but spiffy, and proud of its Zagat recommendation. Only place you're likely to find mussel omelet or curried catfish cooked in banana leaves.
Thai Oscar, 4638 N. Western Ave., 773-878-5922
The vibe: Bangkok dining spot meets Japanese teahouse. Only Thai restaurant on the strip with a sushi bar, decorated with a sign in Japanese.
Opart Thai House, 4658 N. Western Ave.,
773-989-8517
The vibe: Tucked under the Western Brown Line stop, this spacious restaurant is family and vegan friendly. Ideal place for newbies to sample their first pad Thai.
Rosded, 2308 W. Leland Ave., 773-334-9055
The vibe: Less than 100 steps from Western and Leland, Rosded came first, in 1976. Cozy enough for 10 small tables -- and enough loyal customers that the staff says it would discourage a visit from "Check, Please."
Snow Spice, 4825 N. Western Ave., 773-754-7660
The vibe: Open just five months, it's the only predominantly takeout Thai restaurant on the Western strip -- and the only place where you can also snag the occasional Mexican dish too.

Gratitude

as a long project nears completion
     Those of you who know me well have heard me speak ad nauseam about my series of paintings of Western Avenue in Chicago.  Frequent blog visitors have tracked my northerly progress down the avenue with each new painting documenting a one mile stretch of the street starting at the southern border of the city (119th Street).  

     My work on the series began in January 2011.  During the research phase, I walked the full length of Western in Chicago (24 miles), a fact of which I'm rather proud.  On an unseasonably warm Friday in January, I walked the first 21 miles, making notes, taking photographs, and making quick sketches along the way.  Two days later I walked the last three miles completing my journey from 119th Street to Howard Steet.  Ever since I've been gradually making paintings in the series.  To date, I have twenty paintings complete, with just four remaining.  
     The project represents a series of milestones for me.  It is the first larger collection of thematic paintings I've completed, 24 paintings in all.  It is the first painting project for which I have received a grant, actually two grants: the City of Chicago Community Arts Assistance Program (CAAP) Grant and the Illinois Arts Council Individual Artist Support Grant.  In providing formal credit I should say,  this project is supported by a Community Arts Assistance Program grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.  As well as this project is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
     Finally, the project represents my first solo exhibit in the gallery space of an organization dedicated to the arts.  I showed two of the paintings in the a.DOT (architectsDOING OTHER THINGS) group show in October.  The project will culminate this May with a solo show, "At the Heart of the City: Western Avenue in 24 Paintings," featuring the full series at the Beverly Art Center.  I had a particular desire to show the paintings at a space on Western Avenue, so the Beverly Art Center, located at 111th Street and Western, is the perfect place!  
     It is incredibly gratifying to be near to the completion of this large project.  I am so very appreciative of many of you--the support and encouragement you've provided has been invaluable in bringing this project to fruition, THANK YOU!  I would be delighted if you are able to join me at the exhibit reception on Saturday, May 19th, from 7 to 9PM.  The exhibit will be on display in the Atrium Gallery of the Beverly Art Center from May 5th-28th.  The address of the Beverly Art Center is 2407 W. 111th Street (the corner of Western and 111th).    

Western Avneue Series

Mile 19: Diversey to Addison
This painting is a part of my Western Avenue Series, through which I'll be making 24 watercolor paintings, one to document each mile of Western Avenue, in Chicago.  I started this project because while it is not considered to be among the most “beautiful” of Chicago’s streets, Western Avenue is a perfect place to document the humanness of Chicago, the positive and the negative. In the words of Stuart Dybek, "Western, with apologies to State Street, is a great street,  Unlike State, it is a street that goes to the interior, the heart of the city, as it glides and glows through a United Nations of neighborhoods."  Check back next Monday to see a post about the next mile of Western.

A viaduct is defined as a long bridgelike structure, typically a series of arches, carrying a road or railroad across a valley or other low ground.  The Viaduct Theater in Chicago, which was established in 1998 is quite literally located under a viaduct that runs over Western Avenue.  It is tucked under the viaduct, just south of Belmont in a bit of an out-of-the-way location.  In fact, a number reviews of the theater note that it can be a bit hard to find.  I was charmed by the unexpectedness of the location and the opportunity to bring life to otherwise, sparsely used portion of Western Avenue. 

The viaduct theater provides a forum for theater, film, art, dance, and music.  People describe theater as intimate, but not cramped.  One reviewer said that, "the front rows were closer to the front of the stage than I've ever seen before." The space has been described as "hole-in-the-wall-ish," "feels grungy but it is very clean," and "a bit industrial."

I was entirely charmed by the theater and hope to see a performance there sometime soon.

Have you been to the viaduct theater? 

Western Avenue Series

Mile 19: Diversey-Addison
This sketch is a part of my Western Avenue Series, through which I'll be making 24 watercolor paintings, one to document each mile of Western Avenue, in Chicago.  I started this project because while it is not considered to be among the most “beautiful” of Chicago’s streets, Western Avenue is a perfect place to document the humanness of Chicago, the positive and the negative. In the words of Stuart Dybek, "Western, with apologies to State Street, is a great street,  Unlike State, it is a street that goes to the interior, the heart of the city, as it glides and glows through a United Nations of neighborhoods."  Check back next Monday to see the painting completed based on this sketch.

This stretch of Western is a bit unusual because where the Avenue crosses the North Branch of the Chicago river. there is a bridge and a long stretch of overpass.  The overpass creates two levels of street, cars whiz along the upper section, while the lower section is a dark forest of concrete columns with small structures lining the street. 

The Riverview Amusement park, which opening in 1904 and operated for more than six decades, was once located along this section of Western.  Riverview was the last of big amusement parks that once dotted Chicago.  At its close it had 120 ride, including six rollercoasters, a parachute jumps and rockets.

Just north of where Riverview once stood, is Lane Tech High School, which began in 1905 as the Thomas Hoyne Manual Training High School.  Today it is one of Chicago's public college prep high schools and home to eleven beautiful WPA murals.

Have you seen the beautiful Lane Tech murals?

Western Avenue Series

Mile 18: Armitage to Diversey
This painting is a part of my Western Avenue Series, through which I'll be making 24 watercolor paintings, one to document each mile of Western Avenue, in Chicago.  I started this project because while it is not considered to be among the most “beautiful” of Chicago’s streets, Western Avenue is a perfect place to document the humanness of Chicago, the positive and the negative. In the words of Stuart Dybek, "Western, with apologies to State Street, is a great street,  Unlike State, it is a street that goes to the interior, the heart of the city, as it glides and glows through a United Nations of neighborhoods."  Check back next Monday to see a post about the next mile of Western.

The subject of this painting is Revolution Tattoo & Art Gallery.  Revolution caught my eye because it is both elegantly detailed, with checker-board brickwork and colorfully adorned by intricate window signage.  Not only that, I was intrigued by the fact that it is both a tattoo shop and an art gallery.  Revolution is the brainchild of Cheri Basak and Omar Gutierrez. According to their website, "They wanted to provide an ever-changing, creative environment for themselves and more importantly, their clients. Most of the artwork shown and sold here is illustrative, usually low-brow, religious, sexual, sometimes controversial, and for obvious reasons, tattoo related."  The gallery has been in operation since 2002, featuring many local fine artists and tattoo artists.

I love the idea of increasing the accessibility of art, by showing the work of artists in unexpected places, like tattoo shops. 

What is the most interesting formal or informal "gallery" space you know?

Western Avenue Series

Mile 17: Division to Armitage
This painting is a part of my Western Avenue Series, through which I'll be making 24 watercolor paintings, one to document each mile of Western Avenue, in Chicago.  I started this project because while it is not considered to be among the most “beautiful” of Chicago’s streets, Western Avenue is a perfect place to document the humanness of Chicago, the positive and the negative. In the words of Stuart Dybek, "Western, with apologies to State Street, is a great street,  Unlike State, it is a street that goes to the interior, the heart of the city, as it glides and glows through a United Nations of neighborhoods."  Check back next Monday to see a post about the next mile of Western.

This painting is complete though the documenting of it (as is apparent from the hole in the center of the image) is not!  The subject of this painting is the Western Avenue Blue Line station, located just south of Armitage.  This station opened in 1895 as part of the Metropolitan Elevated's Logan Square branch. In 1930 an Art Deco style façade replaced its original station entrance.  I wanted to paint this station because the I find it be quite elegant.  It's a familiar stop, with several favorites of mine, particularly Margies, which I mentioned in the previous post, as well as Belly Shack (owned by the same folks at Urban Belly), and Green Eye.

Click here to purchase this painting.

Do you have a favorite El station in Chicago?

Next stop, Revolution Tattoo, stay tuned! 

Western Avenue Series

Mile 17: Division-Armitage
This sketch is a part of my Western Avenue Series, through which I'll be making 24 watercolor paintings, one to document each mile of Western Avenue, in Chicago.  I started this project because while it is not considered to be among the most “beautiful” of Chicago’s streets, Western Avenue is a perfect place to document the humanness of Chicago, the positive and the negative. In the words of Stuart Dybek, "Western, with apologies to State Street, is a great street,  Unlike State, it is a street that goes to the interior, the heart of the city, as it glides and glows through a United Nations of neighborhoods."  Check back next Monday to see the painting completed based on this sketch.

As I continue my way down Western Avenue, I am beginning to reach portions of the Avenue which are more familiar to me.  The stretch between Division and Diversey continues to be heavily commercial though there is a smattering of residences. 

I was particularly taken with this small single family home, whose future seems to be in jeopardy.  It's quaintness is accentuated by the contrast with the adjacent commercial buildings and larger residential structures. 

Certainly, my favorite place to visit along this stretch of Western is Margie's Candies.  Margie’s an old-fashioned ice cream.  It is notable for having been patronized by Al Capone in its early years and, in 1965, the Beatles after having played a concert at Comiskey Park.  Especially, it just has great ice cream.  I almost always get a chocolate malt and find the waffle cookies they give you on the side strangely wonderful.  The menu is quite extensive, with over fifty varieties of sundaes, including the the twenty-five scoop Royal George (named after founder George Poulos).

Do you have a favorite sundae at Margies?

Western Avenue Series

Mile 15: Kinzie-Division
This painting is a part of my Western Avenue Series, through which I'll be making 24 watercolor paintings, one to document each mile of Western Avenue, in Chicago.  I started this project because while it is not considered to be among the most “beautiful” of Chicago’s streets, Western Avenue is a perfect place to document the humanness of Chicago, the positive and the negative. In the words of Stuart Dybek, "Western, with apologies to State Street, is a great street,  Unlike State, it is a street that goes to the interior, the heart of the city, as it glides and glows through a United Nations of neighborhoods."  Check back next Monday to see a post about the next mile of Western.

 At long last I have completed the next painting in the Western Avenue Series.  A series of obligations related to my studio facilitation at Archeworks, the holidays, and social obligations resulted in a stagnation in my progress.  I hope to return to more regular schedule now and I'm excited to have completed two thirds of the paintings and to be drawing closer to the portions of Western Avenue with which I am most familiar.  


It was a delight to paint this classic old car dealership with it's colorful signage and surprisingly unimpressive collection of used cars for sale.  There are 70 new and used car dealerships located on Western, so I knew that I wanted to include one in the collection. 

Western Avenue Series

Mile 16: Kinzie-Division
This sketch is a part of my Western Avenue Series, through which I'll be making 24 watercolor paintings, one to document each mile of Western Avenue, in Chicago.  I started this project because while it is not considered to be among the most “beautiful” of Chicago’s streets, Western Avenue is a perfect place to document the humanness of Chicago, the positive and the negative. In the words of Stuart Dybek, "Western, with apologies to State Street, is a great street,  Unlike State, it is a street that goes to the interior, the heart of the city, as it glides and glows through a United Nations of neighborhoods."  Check back next Monday to see a painting based on this sketch.

This stretch of Western has a variety of building types, small storefronts, like pharmacies, bars, restaurants, in addition to buildings with larger footprints, like a car dealership, which is the subject of the upcoming painting, a church and some larger condo buildings.

I've always been moved and sobered by the Ghost Bikes, bikes painted white to memorialize cyclist killed.  You see the bikes around the city and in doing a bit of research, I found that the Ghost Bike along this stretch of Western, memorializing Isai Medina, was the first in Chicago.  The unique bike used in this memorial was Isai's invention.  It seems that Mr. Medina, who was killed while riding home from worked was well known and loved, with over 400 people attending a memorial ride soon after his death.  He regularly rode his bike from Evanston to 4700 South for work each day. 

Finally, a correction.  I sung the praises of The Empty Bottle in the entry regarding "Mile 14" of the Western Avenue Series, mistakenly asserting that the bar and music venue is located along that stretch.  Actually, the Empty Bottle is located in this mile, just south of Division.  


Rest in peace Isai Medina and others lost is cycling accidents in our city.

Western Avenue Series

Mile 15: Congress-Kinzie
This painting is a part of my Western Avenue Series, through which I'll be making 24 watercolor paintings, one to document each mile of Western Avenue, in Chicago.  I started this project because while it is not considered to be among the most “beautiful” of Chicago’s streets, Western Avenue is a perfect place to document the humanness of Chicago, the positive and the negative. In the words of Stuart Dybek, "Western, with apologies to State Street, is a great street,  Unlike State, it is a street that goes to the interior, the heart of the city, as it glides and glows through a United Nations of neighborhoods."  Check back next Monday to see a post about the next mile of Western.

It has been a challenge to stay on top of my work on this Western Avenue Series with my recent schedule change.  I am now working a full time architecture day job and facilitating a design studio three nights a week.  So, completing a painting seems all the sweeter.  I finished this painting last night and enjoyed the charm of this little building associated with the Metra train line with vines growing all over it.  Hope to have another completed painting in two weeks! 

Western Avenue Series

Mile 15: Congree-Kinzie
This sketch is a part of my Western Avenue Series, through which I'll be making 24 watercolor paintings, one to document each mile of Western Avenue, in Chicago.  I started this project because while it is not considered to be among the most “beautiful” of Chicago’s streets, Western Avenue is a perfect place to document the humanness of Chicago, the positive and the negative. In the words of Stuart Dybek, "Western, with apologies to State Street, is a great street,  Unlike State, it is a street that goes to the interior, the heart of the city, as it glides and glows through a United Nations of neighborhoods."  Check back next Monday to see the painting based on this sketch.

This stretch of Western is characterized by a number of building of a larger scale.  Recently build new condo buildings, larger institutional buildings and some early 20th century office buidlings.

This portion of the avenue is very close to the United Center (home to the Chicago Bulls), which is located at Damen Avenue and Madison.  

This stretch also passes near to the Western Avenue Metra Stop, near to which the train building featured in this upcoming painting is located.