2024 / 6 x 8 / colored pencil and graphite on Canson illustration board
Commissioned by The Romolo Group (@properties) owner / lead realtor, Jen Romolo, as a closing gift for a special client. Jen's client lost her husband and has sold their home of 40 years so she may move out of state to be with her family. This really resonated with me as well, so when Jen approached me to draw the home on Laramie in Chicago I was immediately on board.
I am available for real estate-related commissions - get in touch for a quote!
2024 / 11 x 14 / oil and Swarovski crystals on canvas
Commissioned by my brother as a complementary piece to the "Basil" painting of his senior dog, this portrait of his puppy Parmesan will be displayed looking up at Basil and framed in the same style.
Creating art for friends and family has given my practice true purpose and is a blessing beyond belief.
2024 / 24 x 24 / colored pencil and graphite on Canson illustration board
A year in the making, this realistic rendering of Metro / smartbar in Chicago was commissioned by both the co-founder and lead promoter of Format Recordings. The original reference photo was taken by the clients.
A home base and relationship catalyst for an entire community of independent music lovers and creators, Metro / smartbar deserved the most diligent and painstaking execution of an artwork I have ever created. A true labor of love.
I have been going here since I was 15 years old. The crying once it was finished was so cathartic and filled with gratitude.
We had it custom framed at Blick - it now sits atop their mantle as the focal point of their art collection.
Thank you Adam and Brenda for the commission of a lifetime and such generous, heartfelt support throughout my formal career <3
2024 / 7 x 5 / Watercolor on paper
Commissioned by one of my closest friends as a gift for a new love. Their paths crossed online during a chat about the large waves in Nazare, Portugal.
2023 / 16 x 16 / Oil on canvas
Commissioned by Cindy K. as a surprise for Karl A.. Combined they form Brunchlox, the best monthly party in Chicago featuring premiere local and national house music DJs, and a delicious menu created and executed by Cindy. This piece is super special to me - I wanted to celebrate Bella’s life and do something extraordinary for Karl and Cindy, who have given me and the Chicago house music community so much.
2023 / 8.5 x 11.5 / Colored pencil and Micron pen on illustration board
Commission for a wedding gift depicting a vacation home where the buyer spent many special times with the couple.
2023 / 11 x 14 / Oil on canvas
Gifted for John & Georgia’s wedding, I created this pet portrait of their puppy, Faye.
2023 / 8 x 10 / Colored pencil and graphite on illustration board
Housewarming gift for my dear friend, an established realtor in Chicago.
2023 / 52.125 x 45.25 / Sumi-e ink stick, ink, and metallic watercolor on illustration board
6 boards created for #thecabinetcollective installation within a n antique buffet cabinet.
To be displayed with .75” vertical gap.
2023 / The Four Seasons
Painting of Mt. Fuji: Sumi-e ink stick, ink, and metallic watercolor on illustration board
6 boards - overall size 52.125 x 45.25
Installation - Origami papers, metallic thread, and LED candles
2023 / Micron pen on Canson illustration board
This rendering represents the beginning of The Cabinet Collective, a group of like-minded visual creatives within Chicago’s electronic music scene. Once a quarter, an artist is selected to fill the cabinet with an installation - mine debuted on June 9, 2023.
2022 / 8 x 10 / Oil on canvas board
My father is an avid collector of crystals and minerals. For his 72nd birthday, I wanted to paint his favorites. Clockwise: smoky quartz, black tourmaline, rose quartz, clear quartz with black tourmaline, amethyst.
2022 / 6 x 8 / Conte on paper
A selenite tower is rendered in white conte crayon on black Stonehenge paper.
2022 / 5 x 7 / Conte and watercolor on paper
A slice of white agate is rendered in conte crayon, and metallic watercolor representing its gold-covered outline.
2022 / 22 x 28 / Oil on canvas
Commissioned by photographer Jeff Ramone for one of his best friends, this painting commemorates the life of Laszlo. This little dude meant the world to me and I am honored to have been given such a heartwarming, bittersweet project.
2018 / 16 x 20 / Oil on board
The client requested to be painted “naked and with tacos” for her 40th birthday gift. Her likeness is depicted using Botticelli’s “Venus” as reference for the body and pose, and a selfie for her face. Tortilla chips rain down from above into a guacamole sea.
2019 / 16 x 20 / Oil on Swarovski crystals on board
This piece depicts Basil, a 6-year-old border collie/hound mix adopted by my brother and his wife. She commissioned a painting for his birthday and we gifted it as a surprise. Basil holds an antler toy. As my first attempt at animal portraiture, the painting represents a new style for future work.
2005 / 32 x 32” / Oil & Swarovski crystals on canvas
Inspired by a trip to Vatican City, this piece represents the commercialization of religion as seen by vendors selling novelties like Pope soap-on-a-rope. The canvas was fully self-stretched, sized, primed and prepared for hanging. Crystal rhinestones were superglued on freehand. This piece has been shown 4 times in New York, NY and is on permanent loan.
20 x 32” / 2005 / Oil and Swarovski crystals on canvas
Part of “The Seafood Series” triptych. Conceptualized from a dream where I swallowed my goldfish, this work showcases my first usage of crystal rhinestones which were superglued on freehand. Each canvas was fully self-stretched, sized, primed and prepared for hanging.
20 x 32” / 2005 / Oil and Swarovski crystals on canvas
Part of “The Seafood Series” triptych. Each canvas was fully self-stretched, sized, primed and prepared for hanging. A frozen octopus was purchased from New York’s Chinatown and wrapped around a friend in my shoe for reference shots.
20 x 32” / 2005 / Oil and Swarovski crystals on canvas
Part of “The Seafood Series” triptych. Each canvas was fully self-stretched, sized, primed and prepared for hanging. My had was used for reference where a sea anemone slowly consumes that which supports it.
2019 / 8 x 10” / Oil on Canvas
Giraffes are the theme for a family friend’s new nursery, so I created this likeness as their baby shower gift. Background brush strokes are intented to mimic shapes, light and shadows defined by trees in the Savannah.
2007 / 32 x 32” / Oil on canvas
This piece was gifted for a wedding to a couple who enjoy snowboarding in Colorado. Since they were looking to have children, I selected a lotus flower representing fertility as the organic focal point overlaying the Rocky Mountains. The canvas was fully self-stretched, sized, primed and prepared for hanging.
2020 / 24 x 30 / mixed media with rhinestones on illustration board
This 6-month project is a custom commission of a rendered collage featuring elements and architecture of iconic venues in the international techno scene. I drew inspiration from the music and DJ’s who played underground events I co-hosted with the client for Format Recordings. Total labor of love.