When I moved to Chicago, I felt like parts of me were scattered across the Midwest. My heart was scattered. My thoughts were scattered. And my art became scattered too. This brave and intuitive abstract painting is an extraordinary representation of my authentic self during 2016 - 2018.
20 hours | Acrylic | 30 x 40” Canvas
In 2016 - 2018...
I was telling people, "I'm good! How are you?" When I was, in fact, not doing well at all.
I went through an ugly break up that was long overdue, which doesn't make it any easier.
I worked 4 jobs in Chicago (yes, at the same time).
I moved twice.
I learned an entirely new way to live and have fun.
My first apartment complex had a workout room that I never used, but I did pay for a membership to the LA Fitness a few blocks away... and an amazing, enormous swimming pool that I maybe swam in 2-3 times.
I suppose you could say I was homeless for two weeks between apartment leases. I stored my stuff at another friends house and lived with a colleague for these two weeks. I didn't have a car. I rode the bus or the train, walked, or biked everywhere.
There was a month when I paid my rent with a credit card.
I only painted now and then.
I sang karaoke at least once, sometimes three times, a week.
I received quite a bit of flack, some judgement, and endless questions about farms and farming.
I bought myself a coffee and lunch just about every day...
I ate tortilla chips with cheese on them as a full meal.
I went to more baseball games in these two years than before or since.
At one point I owned White Sox, Cubs, Twins, and Brewers T-Shirts... Depending on who I was going to a game with...
I proudly wore my Packers gear on game days.
I learned that I don't know how to care for pet fish. I learned this lesson a LOT of times.
I flew home for the big holidays and it never felt like enough time.
A few of my friends visited me once or twice.
A few of my family members visited me once or twice.
I did eventually find my clique in Chicago, and I had a lot of fun, but I missed my family and my friends.
The original painting is on display at #EmeraldCityCoffee in #Chicago, you can see it in the background of the #ComedyandCreme comedians.
You can purchase prints and other merchandise of this design here: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/85062686