As I mentioned briefly in a previous post, I will be in Chicago this weekend for the briefest of brief visits to support one of my artists in her first Chicago exhibition. Back in the land from where I come from (LA), I write the art blog abLA so you can probably guess that my guest-blogging appearances on the Chicago Metblogs will most deal with art (galleries and a long-needed trip to the Art Institute) peppered with what I do best in Chicago – eat at Thai Village and drink my silly little head off.

But, the reason for me being in Chicago is to attend Sarah Cromarty’s opening reception for a two-person exhibiton she is sharing with Chicago-based artist Amy Mayfield at Bucket Rider Gallery. Sarah is a young artist whose work is evolving every time she creates a new piece of art – it’s incredible to watch and I’m proud to be a part of it. Her work involves defacement and recreation to make, what I like to call, sculptural paintings. She takes found vintage prints and attaches them to wood – she then sets out to carve out, with a chisel, aspects of the piece; she adds painting elements and other materials such as resin, glitter, flowers, fake jewels, and, recently, feathers. Her pieces are at the edge of being smart and kitschy without crossing over into the latter.

There’s a few other really great openings that night in the same neighborhood (even in the same building) which I will highlight later on this week.

Sarah Cromarty and Amy Mayfield
Reception: Friday, April 28 from 6-9pm/continues through June 3
@ Bucket Rider Gallery :: 119 N. Peoria, #3D