2024 / 6 x 8 / colored pencil and graphite on Canson illustration board
Commissioned by The Romolo Group (@properties) owner / lead realtor, Jen Romolo, as a closing gift for a special client. Jen's client lost her husband and has sold their home of 40 years so she may move out of state to be with her family. This really resonated with me as well, so when Jen approached me to draw the home on Laramie in Chicago I was immediately on board.
I am available for real estate-related commissions - get in touch for a quote!
2024 / 11 x 14 / oil and Swarovski crystals on canvas
Commissioned by my brother as a complementary piece to the "Basil" painting of his senior dog, this portrait of his puppy Parmesan will be displayed looking up at Basil and framed in the same style.
Creating art for friends and family has given my practice true purpose and is a blessing beyond belief.
2024 / 24 x 24 / colored pencil and graphite on Canson illustration board
A year in the making, this realistic rendering of Metro / smartbar in Chicago was commissioned by both the co-founder and lead promoter of Format Recordings. The original reference photo was taken by the clients.
A home base and relationship catalyst for an entire community of independent music lovers and creators, Metro / smartbar deserved the most diligent and painstaking execution of an artwork I have ever created. A true labor of love.
I have been going here since I was 15 years old. The crying once it was finished was so cathartic and filled with gratitude.
We had it custom framed at Blick - it now sits atop their mantle as the focal point of their art collection.
Thank you Adam and Brenda for the commission of a lifetime and such generous, heartfelt support throughout my formal career <3
2024 / 7 x 5 / Watercolor on paper
Commissioned by one of my closest friends as a gift for a new love. Their paths crossed online during a chat about the large waves in Nazare, Portugal.
2023 / 9 x 12 / Photo paper and decorative papers on illustration board
Hired for this commission by one dear friend for another, his partner, I wanted to really reflect who she is in the colors and patterns. He took footage of her home in various lights so I could get the colors just right for all times of day. We collaborated on frame selection and it was gifted to her just in time for the holidays. This is my favorite collage piece to date.
2023 / 16 x 16 / Oil on canvas
Commissioned by Cindy K. as a surprise for Karl A. Combined they form Brunchlox, the best monthly party in Chicago featuring premiere local and national house music DJs, and a delicious menu created and executed by Cindy. This piece is super special to me - I wanted to celebrate Bella’s life and do something extraordinary for Karl and Cindy, who have given me and the Chicago house music community so much.
2023 / 8.5 x 11.5 / Colored pencil and Micron pen on illustration board
Commission for a wedding gift depicting a vacation home where the buyer spent many special times with the couple.
2019 / 16 x 20 / Oil on Swarovski crystals on board
This piece depicts Basil, an 8-year-old border collie/hound mix adopted by my brother and his wife. She commissioned a painting for his birthday and we gifted it as a surprise. Basil holds an antler toy. As my first attempt at animal portraiture, the painting represents a new style for future work.
2023 / Micron pen on Canson illustration board
This rendering represents the beginning of The Cabinet Collective, a group of like-minded visual creatives within Chicago’s electronic music scene. Once a quarter, an artist is selected to fill the cabinet with an installation - mine will debut on June 9, 2023.
2022 / 22 x 28 / Oil on canvas
Commissioned by photographer Jeff Ramone for one of his best friends, this painting commemorates the life of Laszlo. This little dude meant the world to me and I am honored to have been given such a heartwarming, bittersweet project.
2021 / 9 x 12 / metallic watercolor and pen on cold press Stonehenge
Abstract metallic bubbles form a composition derived from dream state, representative of an hourglass.
Commissioned by psychologist Kate Glickman.
2019 / 24 x 24” / Oil on wood board
Commissioned by a renowned Chicago DJ Frankie V. and his wife Melissa V. for their daughter’s nursery, this abstract work was created based on several watercolor comps. The goal was to pick up colors and shapes used to decorate the room with a warm, dynamic feel.
2020 / 24 x 30 / oil and Swarovski crystals on canvas
In late 2019 I was drawing at Kite String Cantina and approached by a lovely lady requesting a commission to gift her husband for their upcoming wedding. They had their 1st date at Kite underneath where Dr. Spaceman I and II hang, so she wanted the same design but reflecting their story and personalities. The 2 large stars represent the happy couple, and the smaller third their newborn son.
2020 / 36 x 48 / Oil on canvas
Initially a friend commissioned me to paint him a photo I took at an underground party. As I struggled to work through the challenges it posed, I realized my heart just wasn’t in it. I threw it in the alley and started over. He asked me to do a cityscape merging different architectural styles - he’s an architect. After 2 comp drawings we settled on this.
2020 / 24 x 30 / mixed media with rhinestones on illustration board
This 6-month project is a custom commission of a rendered collage featuring elements and architecture of iconic venues in the international techno scene. I drew inspiration from the music and DJ’s who played underground events I co-hosted with the client for Format Recordings. Total labor of love.
2019 / 24 x 30 / Oil on canvas
Collaborating once more with the owners of Kite String Cantina, I developed a concept for their second commission. Under the phases of a beet chip moon, an astronaut loses his 3D kites into the nebula beyond. One of them said it looks like a seance or ritual; the other, like a metal album cover.
2018 / 24 x 30 / Oil and crystals on canvas
As the bar/restaurant Kite String Cantina was preparing to open in April 2018 in Chicago’s Roscoe Village neighborhood, I was commissioned to create a painting that reacted to preliminary branding. This work was a long-distance collaboration between myself and @roughbits who created original line work that was enlarged then enhanced with Swarovski crystals. The painting currently hangs at the bar.