Sunday at Art Chicago

Because I sold-out of everything on Saturday. And with not enough time to make anything Saturday night because I had an opening to attend. I decided to bring my studio to the streets and make some new pieces there. Right away, Sunday was looking to be a good day. Plus, people really enjoyed seeing the process of how I make my art. By mid-day I had already surpassed Saturdays sales and was almost selling them faster than I could make them. People seemed to be more relaxed and talkative. I was constantly getting kind words of encouragement.
And after three days, I was beginning to get familiar with who the artists and gallery owners were that were exhibiting at Art Chicago in the Merchandise Mart. You could tell because when they went to lunch, grab coffee or make runs to the liquor store I'd get these screwface looks of disdain or jealousy. Probably, because here I was in the open sunshine, blasting my tunes, smoking cheap hand rolled cigarettes and selling my art and I didn't have to pay a dime to do it. Poor Bastards.

But more than anything, I really appreciate all of the new friends I made, the candid stories people shared with me concerning their lives and the positive feedback I got. Selling my art on the streets of Chicago allows me to get a real sense of whats going on and allows me to reflect that in my work. It colors a realness to my art which is formed from the vibes and energy I digest from the pulse of our great city and those that walk it's streets. From the poor, the insane, the rich, black, white, gay or straight, everyones individual perspective is as important to me as the air I breath. And for that I feel very lucky and honored.
But the hardest part, is not being able to go the bathroom whenever I want. Saturday I went five hours without peeing. That's gotta be a record. When I finally was able to go, I nearly wet myself just thinking about relieving my kidney's. I left a little quarter spot on my pants in anticipation. I hadn't done that since I was a kid. Very humbling.
But with the sun blaring down on me and the constant moving around and talking, I needed to monitor my water intake because if not -- I'd have to go to the bathroom every hour. So, I felt like I was repeatedly on the verge of dehydration. And add to that, the paint fumes and the constant rumble of the elevated trains, it all paints a surreal memory of last weekend. But thankfully my wife would stop by and bring me food and watch my stuff so I could take a bathroom break. Another benefit of her presence was sales would increase when people saw that my wife was pregnant. I've tried to convince her to come with me full-time but she called bullshit on that. Oh well.