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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 —- 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.

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.

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

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

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.

HIGH FIVE! -- An Invitational Group Exhibition Featuring Past Blue Moon Artists

Celebrating 5 Years of Fine Art!

Opening Reception: Saturday, April 27, 6-9pm

On View through May 12.

Gallery Hours: Saturdays and Sundays 1-4pm.

Participating HIGH FIVE! Artists: Kristin Ashley, Susan Bennett, Marcia Biasiello, Darlene Bock, Joan Bredendick, Maureen Ivy Fisher, Frank Fitzgerald, Tim Flynn, Chet Griffith, Dean Habegger, Janette Hill, Cindy Lesperance, Terry Luc, Crystal Marie, Mary Neely, Laura O’Connor, Paul Pinzarrone, Peg Raasch, Jaynanne Ridder, Aruna Sarode, Les Scott, Rebecca Stahr, William Weidner, Sally Wille, Kelly Witte.

STAY TUNED HERE for more details coming soon.

Opening Reception — Saturday, March 23, 6-9pm

A Juried Exhibition & Competition Featuring Fine Art About Birds

Guest Juror: Scot Jay Marr, Retired Scenic & Costume Designer, Chicago Lyric Opera

On view through April 14. Gallery Hours: Saturdays & Sundays 1-4pm.

Congratulations to the following artists whose artworks were selected: Sanjukta Acharya, Maria Ananieva, Kristin Ashley, Maddy Asma, Matt Bellefeuille, Marcia Biasiello, Cynthia Boudreau, Sinead Carus, Paulette Colo, Rudy DeRam, Jane Ellefson, Jeanne Garrett, Allison Hausladen, Robert Hilger, Missy Isely Poltrock, Chuck Keller, Julia Kemerer, Kathy Kerner, Marie Luc, Terry Luc, Mike McGuire, Sarah McNabb, Christine Miller, Kristen Neveu, Julie Nykiel, Laura O’Connor, Tara Riley, Jaynanne Ridder, Amy Robillard, Aruna Sarode, Sandra Saxton, Carol May Scott, Linda Scholly, Phil Schorn, Mary Seyfarth, Barbara Skiba-Poniatowski, Kat Strack, Louise Villegas, Mary Voegeli, Marilyn Weisberg, Gail Willert, Kelly Witte, Jeff Wozniak, Debra Zare

“IT’S FOR THE BIRDS” as a fine art exhibition aims to visually explore many ideas, such as:
-- The immense beauty and diversity of birds as a species, including related subjects such as nests, eggs, feathers, flight, wings, etc.
-- Bird symbolism – freedom, perspective, communication, music, travel, and connections to the spiritual realm
-- The various phrases & idioms related to birds, such as: bird’s eye view, a little bird told me, fly the coop, etc...
-- What can we do "for" the birds? -- ecological efforts, climate activism, habitat reclamation, migration study, etc.

This unique & inspiring show features 47 amazing pieces of fine art created by 44 gifted artists from all over Northern IL, Chicagoland, and Southeastern WI.

Juror: Scott Jay Marr, Retired Scenic Director, Chicago Lyric Opera

Photo: Potato by Marie Luc 6x6 Acrylic