You're the Inspiration

To set the mood for my blog about my time last week in Chicago, I thought who better than Chicago, so I tuned in my spotify to Chicago...I haven't listened to chicago in a LONG time "You're the Inspiration" was not the inspiration, I thought, well if I wanted to listening to some not so great 80's with the feeling that Tom Hanks would burst out of my computer (the I want to be BIG Tom not the I'm gonna win all the oscars Tom) I was gonna change to the Weather Report....Okay back on track....

CHICAGO!!!

I just happened to be changing subways and look over and saw, CHICAGO....one of those really awesome unplanned moments...

Well as some may or may not know I went to Chicago last Tuesday right after my 50 mile bike race in South Dakota and a 10 hour drive home Monday...

Tuesday I got myself packed and folded myself into a tiny airplane, for those that are tall you will understand, the good thing is the flight gave me a little time to put my finishing touches on my presentation...oh did I forgot to mention that, I was speaking about my kickstarter project at the Zapplication Arts Festival Conference....Check out the link to see all about the conference...

http://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?EventID=1106955

Looks like I need a nap more than I need to work...

It's a little blurry 30,000 miles above the earth 

My first night in Chicago I spent stretching my legs, I walked all over to see what this place is all about, well at least around my downtown hotel...This was my first time in Chicago, well besides driving or flying through...okay who turned on the Billy Joel...I'm really getting over the 80's Jazz....

 I think I missed my bike cause I kept seeing them everywhere

This guy was hauling newspapers, awesome rig...

What's funny is that I was texting my mom as I walked by this, she's always in my head, how does she do that....

I had all day Wednesday to run around and check out the city, so I decided to check out a place that was a little more urban and a little more my pace, so I decided to check out Wicker Park, it seemed to look a little like my old hood Brooklyn (well online) so off to the subway....

This was a super cool mosaic...sparkled in the sun...

 Ciclo Urbano was a really rad bike shop, I was looking for cycling caps to take home plus I love checking out cycling shops in other cities and see what they are up to...you should check out this bike shop, they are really into community, they open their shop to let people learn about bikes, they also have a girls bike club and I am proud to say I bought a hand made cap and a t shirt from the girls, the money goes to fund rides that the girls organize...think they will come to Gravel Worlds next year???

http://ciclourbanochicago.com/

 After my Wicker Park/Bucktown time I hauled ass to the CTA to grab the Metra out to burbia to meet up with my friend Lynn, we met last year at the East Lansing Arts Festival, she's a fiber artist and we instantly hit it off...she lives outside Chicago and has macaws that aren't clipped, so I hung out with her Emma, Ado and Ingrid for the afternoon...amazing birds...so beautiful to see them fly....

 Lynn and Ado

My new buddy Ingrid, she hung out with me for awhile....I headed back to the city that evening after enjoying such a nice time with Lynn and her Macaws...I was hungry and ready for a glass of wine, I forgot how much running around a city can take it out of you....I had dinner in the hotel bar with the conference crowd..I had a great time getting to know everyone and was already learning a ton about the industry...I was super excited for the conference to start....

 

Okay, how do I look??? Thursday morning, I recovered a bit from my bike race but now was nursing blisters from walking all over Chicago...I was super excited and had no idea what I was in store for...plus I was hoping that I wouldn't be a total ass when it came to my presentation....

My friend Teresa speaking about "Art IS my real job"...this girl does just that, she travels to a gazillion shows a year and she does a beautiful job of it...it you get a chance please check out her amazing work at Mind's Eye Journals....http://www.mindseyejournals.com/ ....the conference was off it a great start...taking in tons of knowledge...it was so great to see all sorts of views and such a diverse group of people...

Lunch, I know I am out of sequence...Teresa presented after lunch but it just looks better this way, you probably are wanting me to listen to Chicago again, aren't you....it's onto Jack White, you gotta live with it...

 

This is John Spokes speaking, he is with United States Artists which is similar to kickstarter but very different...check out his webpage...http://www.unitedstatesartists.org/ he was the last speaker of the day and did a fantastic job, of course...and me, I did okay...I was nervous but think I got my points across, everyone else said I did a great job but you know people, they can be super nice and I appreciate that, rather have them say I did great than wow...you really are one of a kind aka oh look at the pink haired girl she's trying to talk, isn't that cute....

Finished out the days session with a preview of Gladys Nilsson's solo exhibit at Jean Albano Gallery http://www.jeanalbano-artgallery.com/, was really awesome, if you are in Chicago you would be missing out if you didn't see it...

 

I ended the day with a light dinner with a good friend Mirvat, I've known Mirvat since I was 19 and was living in DC, she is a great friend that I don't get to see enough, only a few years or so, I wish it was more....

 

 

 She would only let me take her photo if she covered her face, she's crazy cause she's beautiful, wait isn't that a cover girl slogan....damn advertising firms have gotten inside my head, do you know my mother???

 

 

Okay, what all the artists (including myself) were waiting for, the Mock Jury Photo Critique...wow guys you so give an insiders view, if you are thinking about going to the Arts Festival Conference next year this is worth the money spent to go...I learned so much about what is a good photograph, which order to show your work, what to have for a booth shot...all the insider knows....they are an open book as well and jury other art festivals...

 

The experience was so worth it and I am honored that I would be a part of the conference...I will be going next year for sure!!!  Count me in!!!

 

Please check out the other presenters and there organizations as well http://www.regonline.com/builder/site/tab3.aspx?EventID=1106955...like I said open book and tons of knowledge...

 

I know I was suppose to blog on the subway ride to the airport but I kind of had my fill of technology for the weekend and was looking forward to a little human interaction with my buddy Teresa....was a really awesome end to a fun and informative weekend...thanks to Leah and everyone at ZAPP, Westaf, the presenters, the attendees, the gallery, hotel and CHICAGO!!!!

 

 

 Teresa and I were on our way to the subway and I had to run across the street for a picture...I dig it!!!!

Well now I am back home, rested some what from the weekend...I had a massage, thank you Rebecca ahhhmazing....drinks with my best friend Jaime...thank you for letting me drink too much and laugh all night....and then finished out Sunday with a Birthday party for my 83 year old Grandad, we surprised him with a cargo bike...he was so excited and smiling ear to ear...oh yeah that's right my Grandad bikes 3 days a week, so that's were I get it from...now you all know....love you Grandad, you make me smile everyday.....

Drinks with Jaime 

Who's a happy birthday Boy!!!!

I have a lot to process and filter, CVO and I are already planning our next year and it's only September....looks to be a busy fall with the usual art, bikes, traveling and of course shenanigans...Hope everyone has an amazing week and enjoy the beginning of what I hope to be a LONG fall...