Summer Brunch at Melrose

 Summer Brunch at Melrose - Acrylic on canvas, 20" X 24"

Summer Bouquet

Summer Bouquet 2, ink on paper

Some flowers to warm up a very cool Chicago summer day.

Ruth Sackheim Recent Art

El Stop at Wrigley Field, archival print, limited edition of 50. 11" X 14" matted and framed to 16" X 20." 

El Tracks at Clark and Roscoe Angular View, archival print, limited edition of 50. 11" X 14" matted and framed to 16" X 20." 

El Tracks at Clark and Roscoe with Blue Street, archival print, limited edition of 50. 11" X 14" matted and framed to 16" X 20." 

El Tracks at Clark and Roscoe Skyward View 1, archival print, limited edition of 50. 11" X 14" matted and framed to 16" X 20."

El Tracks at Clark and Roscoe Skyward View 2, archival print, limited edition of 50. 11" X 14" matted and framed to 16" X 20." 

El on Wabash Canyon, archival print, limited edition of 50. 11" X 14" matted and framed to 16" X 20." 

El on Wabash Fading Off to Black, archival print, limited edition of 50. 11" X 14" matted and framed to 16" X 20."  

El Curve with Black Sky, archival print, limited edition of 50. 11" X 14" matted and framed to 16" X 20." 

Cubs Blue, archival print, limited edition of 50. 16" X 20" framed to 22" X 28."

Alta Vista Portico at Noon, hand-painted silkscreen, 18" X 24" matted and framed to 24" X 30." 

Alta Vista Terrace Tower at Noon, hand-painted  silkscreen, 18" X 24" matted and framed to 24" X 30."

Alta Vista Terrace Doorway at Noon, hand-painted silkscreen, 18" X 24" matted and framed to 24" X 30."

Historic Chicago Re-Imagined

 Get ready to re-imagine Chicago’s architectural structures built during the Victorian Era. See how artist Ruth Sackheim uses bold color, traditional media, and digital media to transform, yet pay homage to, well-known and lesser-known sights in and near the heart of the city. Experience a modern take on Alta Vista Terrace, nicknamed the “Street of Forty Doors,” and the El, which has been called both “Chicago’s Eiffel Tower” and “Chicago’s Railroad in the Sky.” Consider how the places that transformed Chicago over one hundred years ago impact our dreams and emotions today.

The El Images

Artist Ruth Sackheim began her most recent series of El images on a cold, cloudy day in May of 2011. The temperature was only thirty-nine degrees when she took her new digital camera out for a test drive and photographed the El tracks on Wabash Avenue  in downtown Chicago. 

Then on a much warmer, glorious May day only two weeks later, she walked to the El tracks at  her favorite intersection near Wrigley Field and began photographing the underside of the El structure. She downloaded the images to her computer and began manipulating them. Eventually, she decided to use each image as a jumping off point, creating an entirely new digital drawing. Each section of the resulting images is drawn or "painted" with a mouse. 

The Alta Vista Terrace Images

Alta Vista Terrace is a quaint street of townhomes located northeast of Wrigley Field and next to Graceland Cemetery. Designed by architect J.C. Brompton between 1900 and 1904, the tiny street was built after developer Samuel Eberly Gross visited London and took a liking to the row houses he saw there. Sometimes called the "Street of Forty Doors," Alta Vista Terrace is comprised of forty townhouses. There are twenty different exterior styles. Each townhouse on one side of the street is duplicated with only minor variations at the diagonally opposite end of the block. 

Sackheim's images begin as original photographs. Each photograph is posterized (translated into simplified black and white shapes) and applied as a photo stencil positive to a sensitized silkscreen. When the silkscreen is exposed to a light, a negative of the image appears on the screen. The image is printed with midnight blue ink and then painted with vibrant acrylic glazes to suggest the effects of daylight at high noon. Based on the graceful architectural structures built in the city near the turn of the twentieth century, these images bring to life the uniqueness that is Chicago.

                      
EXHIBIT COMMENTS

***** Ruth's work comes from the heart of a true Chicagoan, who translates her love of the city she grew up in into art that will fit well into a variety of settings! 

 -- Posted by Ted Lowy on October 9, 2011 at 12:50 PM

***** I will need to return to Chicago to view the city in person, guided by Ruth's wonderfully stylized reconceptions. The juxtaposition of the two views should be stunning and instructive. -- Posted by Dan Sackheim on October 12, 2011 at 12:52 AM 

***** Ruth Sackheim's art brings a wonderful richness and depth to the architecture of Chicago. Her work brings new life to the subject structures and brings them from the ordinary to the extraordinary. -- Posted by Ann E. Fox on October 12, 2011 at 1:07 AM 

***** I am in love with Ruth Sackheim's work. Having grown up in Chicago, her city views stir fabulous memories. -- Posted by Gitta Zimmer Keith on October 12, 2011 at 4:14 AM 

*****  Love her work because she demonstrates her love for Chicago with her brilliant talent. -- Posted by Angelo Magnavite on October 12, 2011 at 2:01 PM 

http://www.chicagoreader.com/gyrobase/historic-chicago-re-imagined/Event?oid=4740200&show=commentshttp://www.chicagoreader.com/gyrobase/historic-chicago-re-imagined/Event?oid=4740200&show=comments

***** I thoroughly enjoyed your aptly titled art show.  I loved your interpretation of Chicago.  Chicago is a vibrant city and, for me, that was the theme of your art.   You went beyond the city's drab concrete hues of grays, browns, rust, and blues to make the city alive and strikingly vibrant. I thought it was beautiful. Your show didn't disappoint. Good Luck as it continues!  -- Cynthia Searcy

Clear your Google seach history

How to clear your Google search history now that the deadline has passed.

http://www.technolog.msnbc.msn.com/technology/technolog/clear-your-google-search-history-now-240860

To protect your privacy, you can search using usestealth.com,  or mamma.com, or ixquick.com. Use can also use bing or start a private browsing session with Mozilla Firefox.

At the Art Opening

At the Art Opening - Acrylic on canvas, 16" X 20"

A belated posting of the painting that I made based on the lovely cast of characters that attended my art opening. You won't recognize yourself here, but know that I am so delighted you attended! 

Pinterest's Rise

http://mashable.com/2012/02/14/pinterest-daily-users-are-up-125-percent/

How to Buy a Laptop

Kim Komando's laptop buying guide. Useful information.

http://www.komando.com/buyguide/index.aspx?id=5842

Loving Olioboard

I'm loving Olioboard. http://olioboard.com/

10 Hot Web Startups Changing the Face of Retail

10 Hot Web Startups Changing the Face of Retail
by Macala Wright Lee
http://mashable.com/2012/02/03/social-shopping-content-curation/

James Franco's Grandmother is an Art Dealer

I thought this was interesting. James Franco's grandmother is a dealer specializing in Japanese art.
http://www.cleveland.com/mycleveland/index.ssf/2012/01/mitzie_verne_venerable_art_dea.html

New Camera

Today I used my new camera to photograph my two latest paintings. One painting was a takeoff on the crowd at my opening this past fall. The camera recognized that I had painted faces. In a way, I'm pleased that the camera thinks the faces I painted look real. On the other hand, I probably have to remove those faces from the camera's memory. Using a new camera is always a learning experience. Now to upload the images to this site.

It's been nearly a month since my last post. I am planning to use my new camera to photograph my most recent paintings. I changed the favicon for my blog, but it hasn't shown up. All the other favicons I changed did show up. Who knows why.

Happy Holidays!

All the best this holiday season.

Image by Ruth Sackheim

Historic Chicago Re-Imagined closed Sunday.

Historic Chicago Re-Imagined closed Sunday, but you can still see the art on the Exhibits page. http://www.ruthsackheim.com/p/exhibits.html

"Historic Chicago Re-Imagined" Ends November 27

There are still a few more days to see "Historic Chicago Re-Imagined." The show will end Sunday, November 27 at noon instead of November 30. If you haven't seen the exhibit yet, please stop by.

Art + Poetry Chicago

http://sobs.org/Special-Projects/Art+Poetry-Chicago-2011/

"Historic Chicago Re-Imagined"

Historic Chicago Re-Imagined


Now - November 30, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Belmont Art Gallery in the lobby of the Belmont by Reside
3170 N. Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL 60657


Check the Exhibits page for complete show information. http://www.ruthsackheim.com/p/exhibits.html 

See the concierge at the Belmont for questions about purchases. And don't forget that art makes a great gift!

"Historic Chicago Re-Imagined" mentioned in Chicago Architecture Foundation docent update

"Historic Chicago Re-Imagined" has been mentioned in the Chicago Architecture Foundation weekly docent update.

Don't Forget. "Historic Chicago Re-Imagined" Continues.

Historic Chicago Re-Imagined


October 9 - November 30, 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
The Belmont by Reside
3170 N. Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL 60657


Check the Exhibits page for show information. http://www.ruthsackheim.com/p/exhibits.html 

More Comments on "Historic Chicago Re-Imagined"

*****Such a remarkable vision you have of the every day and ordinary! 
--Mike Bell


*****Worth seeing. Worth owning. --Jean Sachs


***** I thoroughly enjoyed your aptly titled art show.  I loved your interpretation of Chicago.  Chicago is a vibrant city and, for me, that was the theme of your art.   You went beyond the city's drab concrete hues of grays, browns, rust, and blues to make the city alive and strikingly vibrant. I thought it was beautiful. Your show didn't disappoint. Good Luck as it continues!  -- Cynthia Searcy


Comments from "Chicago Reader"
http://www.chicagoreader.com/gyrobase/historic-chicago-re-imagined/Event?oid=4740200&show=commentshttp://www.chicagoreader.com/gyrobase/historic-chicago-re-imagined/Event?oid=4740200&show=comments



***** Ruth's work comes from the heart of a true Chicagoan, who translates her love of the city she grew up in into art that will fit well into a variety of settings!  -- Posted by Ted Lowy on October 9, 2011 at 12:50 PM

***** I will need to return to Chicago to view the city in person, guided by Ruth's wonderfully stylized reconceptions. The juxtaposition of the two views should be stunning and instructive. -- Posted by Dan Sackheim on October 12, 2011 at 12:52 AM 

***** Ruth Sackheim's art brings a wonderful richness and depth to the architecture of Chicago. Her work brings new life to the subject structures and brings them from the ordinary to the extraordinary. -- Posted by Ann E. Fox on October 12, 2011 at 1:07 AM 

***** I am in love with Ruth Sackheim's work. Having grown up in Chicago, her city views stir fabulous memories. -- Posted by Gitta Zimmer Keith on October 12, 2011 at 4:14 AM 

*****  Love her work because she demonstrates her love for Chicago with her brilliant talent. -- Posted by Angelo Magnavite on October 12, 2011 at 2:01 PM 

An Evening of Chicago-style Poetry and Art

Join The Site of Big Shoulders on Oct. 22, 2011, for an evening of Chicago-style poetry and art. Our Art+Poetry Chicago Contest solicited submissions from Chicago artists based on twelve winning submissions from Chicago poets. At 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 22nd, we will gather at 1543 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, to hear the poems, view the artwork, and enjoy a reception following the poetry reading.

Art+Poetry Chicago 2011
Date and Time: 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011
Location: 1543 N. Milwaukee, Second Floor

Exhibit Comments

***** Ruth's work comes from the heart of a true Chicagoan, who translates her love of the city she grew up in into art that will fit well into a variety of settings!  -- Posted by Ted Lowy on October 9, 2011 at 12:50 PM

***** I will need to return to Chicago to view the city in person, guided by Ruth's wonderfully stylized reconceptions. The juxtaposition of the two views should be stunning and instructive. -- Posted by Dan Sackheim on October 12, 2011 at 12:52 AM 

***** Ruth Sackheim's art brings a wonderful richness and depth to the architecture of Chicago. Her work brings new life to the subject structures and brings them from the ordinary to the extraordinary. -- Posted by Ann E. Fox on October 12, 2011 at 1:07 AM 

***** I am in love with Ruth Sackheim's work. Having grown up in Chicago, her city views stir fabulous memories. -- Posted by Gitta Zimmer Keith on October 12, 2011 at 4:14 AM 

*****  Love her work because she demonstrates her love for Chicago with her brilliant talent. -- Posted by Angelo Magnavite on October 12, 2011 at 2:01 PM 

http://www.chicagoreader.com/gyrobase/historic-chicago-re-imagined/Event?oid=4740200&show=commentshttp://www.chicagoreader.com/gyrobase/historic-chicago-re-imagined/Event?oid=4740200&show=comments

***** I thoroughly enjoyed your aptly titled art show.  I loved your interpretation of Chicago.  Chicago is a vibrant city and, for me, that was the theme of your art.   You went beyond the city's drab concrete hues of grays, browns, rust, and blues to make the city alive and strikingly vibrant. I thought it was beautiful. Your show didn't disappoint. Good Luck as it continues!  -- Cynthia Searcy

 

Across Time is Selected for Art+Poetry Chicago 2011

Across Time was selected for Art+Poetry Chicago 2011.

Across Time - acrylic and oil and canvas, 20" X 24"

Join The Site of Big Shoulders on Saturday, October 22, 2011, 7:00 p.m., for an  evening of Chicago-style poetry and art. 1543 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Second Floor. http://sobs.org 

Reader Event Listing

This is the Chicago Reader link to my show, "Historic Chicago Re-Imagined."
http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/historic-chicago-re-imagined/Event?oid=4740200

Pre-Opening Reception by Reside Living

Reside Living graciously hosted a lovely pre-opening reception in the Belmont Art Gallery for "Historic Chicago Re-Imagined." Here are a few photos.

My upcoming show is part of Chicago Artists Month 2011

My upcoming show, "Historic Chicago Re-Imagined," is part of Chicago Artists Month 2011, which is presented by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture. The art will be on exhibit at the Belmont Art Gallery, 3170 N. Sheridan, Chicago, IL, through November 30. Please stop by and see my new work.



Get ready to re-imagine Chicago’s architectural structures built during the Victorian Era. See how artist Ruth Sackheim uses bold color, traditional media, and digital media to transform, yet pay homage to, well-known and lesser-known sights in and near the heart of the city. Experience a modern take on Alta Vista Terrace, nicknamed the “Street of Forty Doors,” and the El, which has been called both “Chicago’s Eiffel Tower” and “Chicago’s Railroad in the Sky.” Consider how the places that transformed Chicago over one hundred years ago impact our dreams and emotions today.


Website: www.ruthsackheim.com
Exhibit page: http://www.ruthsackheim.com/p/exhibits.html 
E-mail: ruthsackheim@gmail.com
Event phone: 773-270-0080
http://chicagoartistsresource.org/visual-arts/node/35031http://chicagoartistsmonth.org/historic-chicago-re-imagined
https://www.facebook.com/chicagoartistsmonth

I am hanging the show this week

Finally, after months of preparation, I am hanging the show this week. A big thank you to Helen Arkes, who has so graciously agreed to help me by driving my work to the show.

"Historic Chicago Re-Imagined" Listing

Check out the listing for "Historic Chicago Re-Imagined" on the newly-designed Chicago Artists Month website. (I have no idea why it says that the event was submitted by "Anonymous" but that is intriguing, isn't it?
http://chicagoartistsmonth.org/historic-chicago-re-imagined

Artist Ruth Sackheim's Most Recent El Images

Artist Ruth Sackheim began her most recent series of El images on a cold, cloudy day in May of 2011. The temperature was only thirty-nine degrees when she took her new digital camera out for a test drive and photographed the El tracks on Wabash Avenue  in downtown Chicago.


Then on a much warmer, glorious May day only two weeks later, she walked to the El tracks at  her favorite intersection near Wrigley Field and began photographing the underside of the El structure. She downloaded the images to her computer and began manipulating them. Eventually, she decided to use each image as a jumping off point, creating an entirely new digital drawing. Each section of the resulting images is drawn or "painted" with a mouse.

Show Progress and Updates

I have decided on the final twelve images that will be displayed in "Historic Chicago Re-Imagined."  You can view them on the "Exhibits" page of this site. http://www.ruthsackheim.com/p/exhibits.html

I've purchased the last two mats and will buy one more frame. Then it will be time to attach the hanging wires and buy some kind of cart to wheel the framed pictures to the Belmont. Show time is just around the corner.

Page for "Historic Chicago Re-Imagined"

My upcoming show, "Historic Chicago Re-Imagined," now has its own blog page titled "Exhibits." You can see the images that I currently plan to display.

Working on the last of the images for "Historic Chicago Re-Imagined"

I'm working on the last of the images for my upcoming show, "Historic Chicago Re-Imagined." I expect to have fourteen images in the show. Soon I will create a separate blog page so that those of you who can't attend the exhibit will get a virtual view. 


"Historic Chicago Re-Imagined" is part of Chicago Artists Month, which is sponsored by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and the Chicago Department of Tourism and Culture. Over eight hundred artists are participating in this year's Chicago Chicago Artists Month in venues across the city.

Event Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=175069799227261&view=wall&notif_t=event_wall

Chicago Artists Resource Page: 

http://chicagoartistsresource.org/visual-arts/node/35031

Historic Chicago Re-Imagined Public Opening Reception Cancelled

Please note that the "Historic Chicago Re-Imagined" public opening reception has been cancelled. The exhibit will run October 9, 2011 - November 30, 2011, 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. My apologies to all who had planned to attend. Perhaps you will be able to stop by some time during the run of the exhibit. I am looking forward to seeing/meeting you.

"Historic Chicago Re-Imagined" Opens October 9

El Stop at Wrigley Field - Giclee on paper, 11" X14" matted and framed to 16" X 20"

"Historic Chicago Re-Imagined"

Exhibit hours: October 9, 2011 - November 30, 2011, 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

The Belmont by Reside

3170 N. Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL 60657

Contact Email: ruthsackheim@gmail.com

Event Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=175069799227261&view=wall&notif_t=event_wall

Chicago Artists Resource Page: 

http://chicagoartistsresource.org/visual-arts/node/35031

Get ready to re-imagine Chicago's architectural structures built during the Victorian Era. See how artist Ruth Sackheim uses bold color, traditional media, and digital media to transform, yet pay homage to, well-known and lesser-known sights in and near the heart of the city. Experience a modern take on Alta Vista Terrace, nicknamed the "Street of Forty Doors," and the El, which has been called both "Chicago's Eiffel Tower" and "Chicago's Railroad in the Sky." Consider how the places that transformed Chicago over one hundred years ago impact our dreams and emotions today.

“Historic Chicago Re-Imagined” is part of Chicago Artists Month 2011, the sixteenth annual celebration of Chicago’s vibrant visual art community presented by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture.  For more information, visit www.chicagoartistsmonth.org. 

Stops and Starts

Has it been nearly a week? After several stops and starts and three visits to the printer, I had two more images printed. Also, I matted and framed one image and bought another frame. It's time to decide how many more frames to buy. My current plan is to hang a single print in each of the six spaces on one wall, one print in a space on the opposite wall, four prints in the next space, and either two or four prints in the remaining space.

Recent Show Progress

I had several 11" X 14" prints of El images made. The prints will be matted and framed to 18" X 24". I bought some more frames, checked out mat prices, and measured the spaces where the art will be exhibited. There is lots more to do. I will create more images, buy more frames, have mats cut, and write all the copy that will accompany the show. There is a marketing boot camp for Chicago Artists Month, but I will not be able to attend. I hope the information is posted on the CAM website.

Waiting for the El Train at Howard Street

Waiting for the El Train at Howard Street - Digital print.

Waiting for the El Train

Waiting for the El Train - Digital print

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day! - Ink on paper

El Curve

El Curve with Black Sky - Digital print

Recent El Images

Recent El Images - Digital prints

Clark Street Restaurants

Clark Street Restaurants - Digital print

Another View of the Cubs El Stop at Addison

Cubs El Stop at Addison - Digital print

El Tracks and Victorian Building

El Tracks and Victorian Building - Digital print

El at Addison Wrigley Field Stop

El at Addison Wrigley Field Stop - Digital print

More El Images

More El Images - Digital prints