Events
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GUEST ARTIST: MICHAEL LITEWSKI | Paintings, SCULPTURES & CONSTRUCTIONS
Join us for an Encore Presentation of works from Michael Litewski’s innovative June/July 2024 SOLO exhibition at the Evanston Art Center featuring paintings, sculptures, and CNC carved wall-dependent constructions.
Michael Litewski is an award-winning contemporary fine artist and visual story teller living and working in Zion IL where his home studio is equipped with the materials, tools, and machinery needed to plan and execute the various components of his highly aesthetic, symbolic, conceptual drawings, paintings, mixed media assemblages, and constructions.
Using varying types of medias, Litewski weaves stories, ideas, and concepts from national and global events, social trends, and the political issues of today’s world into his complex, multi-faceted creations.
Artist Reception — Saturday, December 21, 6-9pm
Open Weekends 1-4pm.
The gallery will be closed for Winter Break December 22-March 31.
See more here: https://www.thebluemoongallery.com/featured-artists/michael-litewski
GUEST ARTIST: Julie DeFalco | Acrylic
CHEERS by acrylic painter Julie DeFalco
A tabletop show of Martini & Wine Glass Acrylic Paintings on Canvas
A variety of sizes & colors
Perfect Gifts for the Holidays —- or, just for yourself, too!
Artist Reception — Saturday, December 21, 6-9pm
Open Weekends 1-4pm.
The gallery will be closed for Winter Break December 22-March 31.
GUEST ARTIST: Allison Hausladen | Acrylic Paintings
Allison Hausladen | Guest Artist
TINY REMNANTS — acrylic paintings
Allison Hausladen is a painter based in Grayslake, IL where she has been “painting” her landscape with real flowers and being endlessly inspired by the creatures that are drawn to them. Through her art, she seeks to capture the feeling of a moment, a place, to better remember it. She hopes to inspire others to build and protect a native ecosystem around them and watch life unfold.
The paintings in “Tiny Remnants” are all inspired by interactions between plants and creatures Allison saw in her yard since removing invasives four years ago, giving remnants room to grow, and restoring the land into a native habitat garden and food forest.
Artist Reception — Saturday, December 21, 6-9pm
Open Weekends 1-4pm.
The gallery will be closed for Winter Break December 22-March 31.
4th Saturday Artist Reception Meet Our Collective Artists Juli Janovicz, Kendra Kett, John Kirkpatrick, Ginny Krueger, Matthew Padilla
Meet Our 2024 Collective Artists who show year-round in the gallery!
Monthly at our 4th Saturday Artist Receptions 6-9pm
Juli Janovicz — watercolor florals
John Kirkpatrick — abstract figurative expressionism — acrylic
Kendra Kett — mixed media painted drawings
Ginny Krueger — encaustic & water media paintings + sculpture
Matthew Padilla — figurative & geometric abstraction — oil
4th Saturday Artist Reception Meet Our Collective Artists Juli Janovicz, Kendra Kett, John Kirkpatrick, Ginny Krueger, Matthew Padilla
Meet Our 2024 Collective Artists who show year-round in the gallery!
Monthly at our 4th Saturday Artist Receptions 6-9pm
Juli Janovicz — watercolor florals
John Kirkpatrick — abstract figurative expressionism — acrylic
Kendra Kett — mixed media painted drawings
Ginny Krueger — encaustic & water media paintings + sculpture
Matthew Padilla — figurative & geometric abstraction — oil
Dates: November 23, December 21
ENCAUSTIC QUARTET: Four Perspectives GUEST ARTISTS Patricia Lagger, Laura LaRue, Rebecca Russow, Michele Thrane
Encaustic Quartet: Four Perspectives
An exciting curated group show featuring encaustic art created by four esteemed Chicagoland encaustic artists: Patricia Lagger, Laura LaRue, Rebecca Russow, and Michele Thrane.
Opening Reception: October 26 | 6-9pm
On View through November 17. Open weekends 1-4pm.
4th Saturday Artist Reception Meet Our Collective Artists Juli Janovicz, Kendra Kett, John Kirkpatrick, Ginny Krueger, Matthew Padilla
Meet Our 2024 Collective Artists who show year-round in the gallery!
Monthly at our 4th Saturday Artist Receptions 6-9pm
Juli Janovicz — watercolor florals
John Kirkpatrick — abstract figurative expressionism — acrylic
Kendra Kett — mixed media painted drawings
Ginny Krueger — encaustic & water media paintings + sculpture
Matthew Padilla — figurative & geometric abstraction — oil
Dates: October 26, November 23, December 21
GUEST ARTIST: Sinead Carus | Illustration & Photography
GUEST ARTIST: Sinead Carus | Illustration & Photography
Opening Reception: Saturday, October 26, 6-9pm
On view through November 17 | Open weekends 1-4pm
Sinéad Carus is a self-taught artist currently focusing on illustration, photography and a combination of the two mediums. A lifelong resident of Grayslake IL and avid nature enthusiast, her artistic inspiration usually begins in the early morning with hikes along local forest preserve trails. Her father is a native of Chicago, her mother a native of Ireland, and her heritage often pops up in her artwork. Her goal is to stir emotion in the viewer, to take them on a journey of nostalgia, to leave them with a sense of hope and inspiration.
GUEST ARTIST: DAVE CLAUSEN | Woodturning
Experience the world of master craftsman Dave Clausen and the exquisite beauty of woodturning.
Opening Reception: Saturday, September 28, 6-9pm
On view through October 20.
Open Weekends 1-4 (Sat/Sun)
Bowls, vases, platters in a variety of woods, colors, and finishes.
Beautiful gifts for the holidays or for any special occasion — weddings, retirements, milestone birthdays, housewarming, anniversaries, or appreciation/thank you gifts.
GUEST ARTIST: BETH McKENNA | Woodblock Prints
Beth McKenna — Woodblock Prints
Opening Reception: September 28 | 6-9pm
On View through October 20. Open Weekends 1-4pm.
Beth McKenna works in a range of mediums including woodblock printing, painting, collage and fiber installations.
“Working in different mediums keeps my work fresh. I love painting outdoors and try to capture the beauty of places I find most captivating: mountains, beaches, lakesides and the rural heartland.”
Beth has a BA in Art History from the University of Virginia and an MBA from the University of Illinois. She has served as Manager of Programming and Board of Directors at Art Impact Project, worked as Exhibitions Curator at the Adler Arts Center in Libertyville IL and has been on the Printmaking Department faculty at both the Evanston Art Center and The Art Center in Highland Park. Her artwork has been exhibited regionally in solo and group shows and hangs in private collections nationwide.
William Weidner | Musical Guest & Mini Pop-Up Show (Acrylic Paintings)
Join us on Saturday, September 28, 6-9pm as we welcome Autumn with guest musician & singer William "Bill" Weidner on guitar -- with original songs -- PLUS some of his NEW amazing abstract acrylic paintings on canvas!!!
On the front patio
Fire pit, too!
See all the art, meet all the artists!
Wine will be served but guests are welcome to bring their favorite drinks & lawn chairs and stay awhile around the firepit for a relaxing evening surrounded by the Arts!
See all of Bill's art, including 10 new paintings, here: https://www.thebluemoongallery.com/featured-artists/william-weidner-affiliate-artist-abstract-paintings
4th Saturday Artist Reception Meet Our Collective Artists Juli Janovicz, Kendra Kett, John Kirkpatrick, Ginny Krueger, Matthew Padilla
Meet Our 2024 Collective Artists who show year-round in the gallery!
Monthly at our 4th Saturday Artist Receptions 6-9pm
Juli Janovicz — watercolor florals
John Kirkpatrick — abstract figurative expressionism — acrylic
Kendra Kett — mixed media painted drawings
Ginny Krueger — encaustic & water media paintings + sculpture
Matthew Padilla — figurative & geometric abstraction — oil
Dates: September 28, October 26, November 23, December 21
Figure Drawing Sale by Matthew Padilla
NEW: Figure Drawings by Matthew Padilla | Now Available for Purchase
Figure drawing plays a central role in Matthew’s art practice as he has always viewed it as a necessary skill in order to paint as he wants to. There is also an academic aspect which he likes — proportion, perspective, and anatomy all play a role. Matthew feels the human figure is perhaps the most compelling subject matter of all, at least for him.
“When I am able to complete a figure drawing to my liking, one that really flows and captures what I want to say, I feel a sense of accomplishment because drawing the figure is rife with challenge; misdrawn figures feel wrong, and misdrawing the figure is easy. Some drawings feel, to me, as though they would pair well with text, and so I write on them, and much of what I write comes to me on the spot. Nearly every day that I work in the studio I start off with figure drawing as it allows me to transition well to other work. It would be hard to overstate the importance of figure drawing to me and I expect it will always play a strong role in my life as a practicing artist.”
Figure Dawings by Matthew Padilla — Now Available
Various Media: Charcoal, Graphite, Ink, Pastel, Spray Paint on Paper
18 X 24 | $100 each
Learn more about Matthew’s Figure Drawings here: https://www.thebluemoongallery.com/featured-artists/matthew-padilla-collective-artist-oil
Browse the webpage and make your selection.
Send inquiries to kendra@thebluemoongallery.com or text 224-388-7948. Or, come to our Opening Reception Saturday, September 28, 6-9pm to see. We will also be open Sunday, September 29, 1-4pm, and weekends Sat/Sun 1-4pm.
William Weidner: Musical Guest & Mini Pop-Up Art Show
Join us on Saturday, September 28, 6-9pm as we welcome Autumn with guest musician & singer William "Bill" Weidner on guitar -- with original songs -- PLUS some of his NEW amazing abstract acrylic paintings on canvas!!!
On the front patio
Fire pit, too!
See all the art, meet all the artists!
Wine will be served but guests are welcomie to bring their favorite drinks & lawn chairs and stay awhile around the firepit for a relaxing evening surrounded by the Arts!
See all of Bill's art, including 10 new paintings, here:
4th Saturday Artist Reception Meet Our Collective Artists Juli Janovicz, Kendra Kett, John Kirkpatrick, Ginny Krueger, Matthew Padilla
Meet Our 2024 Collective Artists who show year-round in the gallery!
Monthly at our 4th Saturday Artist Receptions 6-9pm
Juli Janovicz — watercolor florals
John Kirkpatrick — abstract figurative expressionism — acrylic
Kendra Kett — mixed media painted drawings
Ginny Krueger — encaustic & water media paintings + sculpture
Matthew Padilla — figurative & geometric abstraction — oil
Dates: August 24, September 28, October 26, November 23, December 21
ON THE BRICKS | POP-UP GUEST ARTIST: DAVID BELLE — One Night Only
ON THE BRICKS | POP-UP GUEST ARTIST: DAVID BELLE — One Night Only
Photographs by David Belle
Opening Reception — Saturday, August 24, 6-9pm
David will be showing photographs from his portfolio of work titled Analog Days/Carousel Memories.
In these photographs David used a butane torch on the slide mount of 35mm chrome slides. The photographs are from an archive of recent work where David physically deconstructed the original, tangible, analog photographic 35mm chrome slide and then reconstructed the photo into a digital output. The photo was then mounted on archival Japanese handmade paper. The titles of the photographs in this collection are "lyric bytes" from the Paul Simon songbook.
Outdoors — Weather Pernitting — DON’T MISS IT!
GUEST ARTIST: MARCIA BIASIELLO | Paintings as Love Poems
Marcia Biaisiello: Summer of 24 | Aquatic Love Poems | Acrylic Paintings
Marcia Biasiello sees her images as visual narratives and love poems depicting pivotal moments where what happens before, after, and even during is open with possibility. She thinks of the frame as drawing a line around an otherwise normal environment and otherwise uneventful moment. By constraining the space and loading it with extremes, a next step seems inevitable, from choice not constraint. The figures’ interactions—him and her, him and the past, her and the future—overlay the present moment to make any next move possible. She doesn’t know what each figure presented in her paintings will do next and therefore invites the viewer to imagine.
Opening Reception August 24 | 6-9pm
On view through September 22. Open weekends 1-4pm.
See more here: https://www.thebluemoongallery.com/featured-artists/marcia-biasiello-affiliate-artist-acrylic
THE SPIRIT OF NATURE | GUEST ARTISTS: KRISTIN ASHLEY, JOAN BREDENDICK, GARY BREDENDICK
THE SPIRIT OF NATURE —- Featuring three Award-Winning Artists
Kristin Ashley (Paintings on Found Feathers) | Joan Bredendick (Water Color & Colored Pencil) | Gary Bredendick (Oils)
Opening Reception August 24 | 6-9pm
Second Reception September 28 | 6-9pm
Live Music by Clark Hardin
Kristin Ashley — Oil paintings of mythical creatures and North American wildlife on found feathers, inspired by the spirits of nature. Uniquely framed in hand-crafted wooden frames with antler and copper accents.
Joan Bredendick — strong female figures pictured with various totem animals including lambs, hounds, and cats as well as pieces honoring the beauty of koi movement
Gary Bredendick — Peaceful vignettes depicting the majesty of the Midwest landscape and its vast skies amidst agrarian settings
On View through October 13. Open Weekends 1-4pm.
LIVE PAINTING by Matthew Padilla
Meet Matthew Padilla, one of our 2024 Collective Artists, and see him in action painting one of his exquisite canvases!
We are excited for you to see how Matthew puts his compositions together in creating his beautiful geometric abstracted figurative oil paintings featuring alluring colors, justaposed shapes within the figure, and a contemplative mood.
Matthew is a Collective Artist at the gallery which means that he shows his work with us year-round in the gallery. Come see Matthew in action and view his latest works on the walls at the Blue Moon!
AND: Meet all of our 2024 Collective Artists -- Ginny Krueger, Juli Janovicz, John Kirkpatrick, Kendra Kett -- and interact withtheir amazing art, too.
Wine will be served.
See Matthew’s art here: https://www.thebluemoongallery.com/featured-artists/matthew-padilla-collective-artist-oil
SUNBURST: Art Inspired by the Sun -- Works on Paper by Ginny Krueger
Join us for a SPECIAL PRESENTATION of beautiful works on paper by Collective Artist Ginny Krueger -- each inspired by the captivating sun and its effects seen, and then created, during her many travels.
Friday, August 2, 6-8pm at the Blue Moon
Meet Ginny!
Wine will be served.
Plus Saturday & Sunday, August 3 & 4 from 1-4pm
Collagraph Monoprints, Watercolor Paintings, and more
Created by Ginny in Spain, Mexico, & Italy
All Inspired by the Beauty of the Sun!
Beautifully Presented | Ready for You to Frame
A large selection will be available for purchase.
ON THE BRICKS | POP-UP GUEST ARTIST: BRIAN GAROUTTE — One Night Only
ON THE BRICKS | POP-UP GUEST ARTIST: BRIAN GAROUTTE — One Night Only
Works on Paper by Brian Garoutte
Opening Reception — Saturday, July 27, 6-9pm
Outdoors ON THE BRICKS — weather permitting
4th Saturday Artist Reception Meet Our Collective Artists Juli Janovicz, Kendra Kett, John Kirkpatrick, Ginny Krueger, Matthew Padilla
Meet Our 2024 Collective Artists who show year-round in the gallery!
Monthly at our 4th Saturday Artist Receptions 6-9pm
Juli Janovicz — watercolor florals
John Kirkpatrick — abstract figurative expressionism — acrylic
Kendra Kett — mixed media painted drawings
Ginny Krueger — encaustic & water media paintings + sculpture
Matthew Padilla — figurative & geometric abstraction — oil
Dates: July 27, August 24, September 28, October 26, November 23, December 21
GUEST MUSICIAN & POP-UP ARTIST: TIM FLYNN
Tim Flynn -- local Artist, Sculptor, Musician from Waukegan IL -- will be playing ukelele for us during our Opening Night reception on Saturday, July 27, 6-9pm. How fun!!!
You'll also get to check out his super cool sculptures and abstract color pencil drawings -- all available for purchase.
On our Front Patio.
Bring Friends, Visit the Gallery, Meet all the Artists, Enjoy Fun Music and Relax / Socialize --- A Great Summer Night at the Blue Moon! Feel free to bring a lawn chair and your favorite beverages!
GUEST ARTIST: Bob Nonnemacher (Geometric Abstraction | Acrylic)
GEOMETRIC ABSTRACTION — Acrylic Paintings & Constructions by Bob Nonnemacher
Blue Moon Founding Artist & Former Collective Artist Bob Nonnemacher returns to the Blue Moon (two years after relocating to Minneapolis) to share his latest works and the on-going evolution of his inventive two-sided painted canvases and constructions.
Opening Reception — Saturday, July 27, 6-9pm
On View through August 11. Gallery Hours: Saturdays & Sundays 1-4pm.
4th Saturday Artist Reception Meet Our Collective Artists Juli Janovicz, Kendra Kett, John Kirkpatrick, Ginny Krueger, Matthew Padilla
Meet Our 2024 Collective Artists who show year-round in the gallery!
Monthly at our 4th Saturday Artist Receptions 6-9pm
Juli Janovicz — watercolor florals
John Kirkpatrick — abstract figurative expressionism — acrylic
Kendra Kett — mixed media painted drawings
Ginny Krueger — encaustic & water media paintings + sculpture
Matthew Padilla — figurative & geometric abstraction — oil
Dates: June 22, July 27, August 24, September 28, October 26, November 23, December 21
ON THE BRICKS | POP-UP GUEST ARTIST: LAURA O'CONNOR — One Night Only
ON THE BRICKS | POP-UP GUEST ARTIST: LAURA O’CONNOR — One Night Only
Embroidery As Dissent by Laura O’Connor
Opening Reception — Saturday, June 22, 6-9pm
Outdoors ON THE BRICKS — weather permitting
GUEST ARTIST: Kay Smith | Paintings
Kay Smith | Featured Artist | Acrylic Paintings
June 22-July 14
Opening Reception: Saturday, June 22, 6-9pm
Kay’s artwork explores vivid color combinations, non-objective abstract imagery, and inspirations from nature to express her thoughts and feelings on a variety of subjects. Her work is divinely inspired and is completely open to interpretation by the viewer. Kay has always painted “in her mind” and eventually she ventured out to put her visual expressions directly onto canvases. The results reflect exciting color-saturated compositions and sensory-loaded textures.
Kay is a multi-faceted creative individual -- In addition to being an artist, she is also an actress, author, comedian, and poet. She lives in Waukegan IL where she is also active in community life.
Open Weekends 1-4pm.
See Kay’s art here: https://www.thebluemoongallery.com/featured-artists/kay-smith-paintings-acrylic
LIVE PAINTING by John Kirkpatrick
Meet John Kirkpatrick, one of our 2024 Collective Artists, and see him in action painting one of his exciting canvases!
We are excited for you to see how he puts his compositions together in creating his highly popular figurative expressionistic paintings featuring vibrant colors, thick applications of paint, heavy lines -- and storytelling.
John was one of our Founding Artists 5 Years Ago...Come see John in action and view his latest works on the walls at the Blue Moon!
PLUS: LOCAL PAPERS -- Our Guest Artists Phil Schorn, Angela Williams Duea, Melissa Rasor -- Featuring Art On or Made With Paper
AND: Meet all of our 2024 Collective Artists -- Ginny Krueger, Juli Janovicz, Matthew Padilla, Kendra Kett -- and interact withtheir amazing art
Wine will be served.
See John’s art here: https://www.thebluemoongallery.com/featured-artists/john-kirkpatrick
LOCAL PAPERS: Art Created On or With Paper | Phil Schorn, Angela Williams Duea, Melissa Rasor
LOCAL PAPERS: Art Created On or With Paper
Phil Schorn, Angela Williams Duea, Melissa Rasor
On View May 18-July 14
ARTIST RECEPTION: Saturday, June 22, 6-9pm
Phil Schorn: The Fine Art of Color Pencil | Works on Paper
“My art is not just another drawing, it is a fine art. I focus on realism and to put in as much detail as possible. With the color pencil, I have the ability to create the shape, color and detail that I envision in my art." — Phil Schorn
Angela Williams Duea: Mixed Media Collage
"While I'm always drawn to symmetry and geometric patterns, I also love sinuously curved lines, the way colors shimmer in delicious layers of paint, and the way nature interacts with the things humans build. I believe in art-making as a spiritual act.” —- Angela Williams Duea
Melissa Rasor: Recycled Magazine Paper Collages
I create artwork using recycled magazine paper. Repurposing discarded magazines allows me to create something beautiful while minimizing my personal footprint. My inspiration comes from my experiences in nature and traveling. My goal is to bring awareness to the amount of single use waste our culture creates." -- Melissa Rasor
All of the art in LOCAL PAPERS is available for purchase. Send inquiries to kendra@thebluemoongallery.com or text 224-388-7948.
See more here: https://www.thebluemoongallery.com/featured-artists/local-papers-three-artists-phil-schorn-angela-duea-melissa-rasor
GUEST ARTIST: ROGER SHULE The Matchbook Artist
Roger Shule: The Matchbook Artist — Back by popular demand! Roger returns to the Blue Moon with his nostalgic matchbooks for a Guest Artist show!
Roger’s paintings are based on matchbook art from the 30's, 40's, and 50's. They were developed from a collection his father-in-law had acquired as a young man and in his early years of marriage. Roger became fascinated with the concise imagery and the nostalgic flavor of the clip art used in advertising various products and services. All are done with acrylic paint on masonite fashioned into a super-sized 10 x 13 matchbook.
A trip down memory lane!
Opening Reception: May 25 | 6-9pm
On View through June 16. Open Weekends 1-4pm.