During the pandemic I received a few special requests from collectors, one of which was my biggest painting yet. I loved the challenge and now I only want to paint BIG!

6′ x 5′ oil + cwm on canvas – private collector

30″ x 40″ oil + cwm on gessobord – private collector

“Opportunity does not knock, you have to find it.”
Sumner Redstone

This year many of the plein air events were cancelled and it seemed like every day I had planned to head out with my painting buddies mother nature decided to serve up a storm. I managed to get out a few times for practice but not as much as I wanted.

Prairie Plein Air – Schaumburg, IL
This was my fist event and the first time I had left my house since Covid-19. Everything was so uncertain at this time but doing this event helped me in so many ways. Being outside, seeing friends and painting from life was just what I needed to put everything back into perspective.

7th Annual Paint the Point – Mineral Point, WI 

I was able to make it out to Mineral Point, WI for the 7th annual Paint the Point event. The weather was perfect and being outside for 4 days painting was good medicine. I met so many great people and had a lot of support from friends. Here are a few snippets from my adventures.

Painting in town allowed me the opportunity to meet many of the residents and to make new friends. The sincere interest and support from the community was thrilling. I even got to sample a few tomatoes from one of the neighbors gardens. It was so much fun! Everyone on Clowney & Chestunt… see you next year! I also have to mention how amazing my stay at 23 Steps Inn was again this year. The event and show was expertly organized with every possible safety precaution in place while keeping social distance. Thank you to everyone involved for making it a memorable and exceptional plein air event.

Dodge View Farms – Dodgeville, WI
I can’t thank the Dodge View crew enough for their hospitality and kindness. Everywhere I looked on their property I saw a painting. Three paintings were completed on location but what was priceless was the connection that was made. We had great conversation and I was able to learn the history of the farm and the family that still owns and operates it. This is one of the main reasons I love plein air painting.

Karen Sako Art Exhibit
February 5th – 29th

Artist Reception
Saturday, February 29th 10a – 4p

We are pleased to be featuring local artist, Karen Sako, for the entire month of February culminating in an artist reception on Saturday, February 29th. Karen is an award winning mixed media artist, graphic designer, and art instructor with a BFA in Visual Communications. She enthusiastically tackles life with an optimistic outlook and continually invests her time, trade secrets and findings with her students at Mainstreet Art Center in Lake Zurich IL. By using soulful marks, energetic colors and multiple layers of oil and cold wax medium, her paintings achieve a depth beyond the canvas. Karen melds traditional art principles with exploratory techniques and materials creating beautiful contemporary artwork. Please stop in to see her collection this month and join us for a special revealing of her new work on February 29th.

130 Old McHenry Rd, Long Grove, IL 60047

(847) 383-5912

First event of the year and it was not without rain, miserable weather and lots of fun!!!

Artists were invited to participate in the 2019 Prairie Plein Air Competition and Show by creating an original plein air painting or drawing of any location within the Schaumburg, IL city limit.

Submitted works will be exhibited and for sale in the Herb Aigner Gallery inside the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts May 14 – June 25, and will coincide with the 32nd annual Prairie Arts Festival, which will be held Memorial Day weekend (Saturday and Sunday May 25-26) on the grounds of the Robert O. Atcher Municipal Center.

An artist reception will be held Thursday, May 23 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Herb Aigner Gallery inside the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts building.