From
In the series From, I build upon photos that have been taken of abstract surfaces and superimposed a subtle map over showing the location of the original image. These images have often been taken from spaces that are no longer there or lost the context of when the image was taken. This maybe from a friend’s home who was forced out by gentrification, the closing of an important Chicago gallery, a business on a street that was invaded by ICE agents, or other space that holds significance. Additional imagery is added for further context and commentary. Some of this imagery is included in transparent glazes that when applied creates ‘invisible images’ that are seen when viewed at different angles. The result of this multi-layered process creates work that engages the viewer, invites them in and rewards them with greater meaning.
From 2453 N Albany Ave #1, Digital Prints with Mixed Media and Collage on Wood Panel, 36”x24”, 2025
From 2453 N Albany Ave #1 & #2 are images taken from a friend’s home before he had to leave. Gareth defined what Logan Square was for me at one time. His home was a creative laboratory that was constantly evolving. He embodied a bohemian spirit that I loved about a neighborhood that’s been lost to gentrification. When he had to leave that community ended for me.
The image is of decayed paint and plaster from a wall in process of being refinished. Superimposed faintly over is a street map of Logan Square, stamped with a star of the location. Hidden in the clear glaze is 2453, the address, only seen at angles. I strive for engaging images that have deeper meaning found only when closely examined.
From 1513 N Western Ave #1, Digital Prints with Mixed Media and Collage on Wood Panel, 36”x24”, 2025
From 1513 N Western Ave #2, Digital Prints with Mixed Media and Collage on Wood Panel, 36”x24”, 2025
From 2453 N Albany Ave #2, Digital Prints with Mixed Media and Collage on Wood Panel, 36”x24”, 2025
The base image in From 1513 N Western Ave #1 & #2 is of patch paint and rust or other marks in a back stairwell of the building at that address.
Tony Fitzpatrick’s The Dime gallery was located in the building and I took the picture while attending the closing event in July of 2024. I visited Tony at his new studio on Damen Ave just North of Armitage in May of 2025. I was purchasing a copy of his book, The Apostles of Humboldt Park, and I told him about this piece I was working on. I showed him the base picture on my phone but didn’t really understand my concept. Even though he was busy at the time, he did give me input that shaped the course of the work.
The number 1513 appears in one of the layers of glaze along with the word USER on #1 and RUSE on #2, both spelled backwards. USER and RUSE are styled to reference my work RE USE. It’s mirrored as a reflection of my interaction with Tony and the use of other’s work in my own. These glazed images are not easily photographed and must be looked for at an angle when viewed in person. An actual dime is collaged into the panel at the location of 1513 N Western on the overlaid map. It also appears at a point in a graphic of trigonometric functions and their reciprocals graphic. I want to believe that there is a formula for things and solution can be found if the right variables are in place. There are a few other collage elements that nod to Tony’s work indirectly as well as referencing my own. RIP Tony
From 3301 W North Ave #1, Digital Prints with Mixed Media and Collage on Wood Panel, 36”x24”, 2025
From 3301 W North Ave #2, Digital Prints with Mixed Media and Collage on Wood Panel, 36”x24”, 2025
The base image in From 3301 W North Ave #1 & #2 is of the back door of Foremost Liquors located at that address. A map of the area is subtly overlaid and the location is marked with a collaged image of a bull’s head on #1 taken from the label of a bottle of vodka. The same bull’s head label marks the location on #2 but with an X marked over it. There is a diagram that looks like a pint glass that has the formula to find the volume of a conical cylinder. Other markers are placed on the map including the location of 65 GRAND gallery and my home. Two lists run up and down the sides of the piece that number ingredients for What Makes Good Art? and What Makes A Good Drink?. There are several other drawing and collage elements that reference art, environment, emotion and inebriants. Building upon an image of the back door of a liquor store, I explored the idea of how intoxicants calculate into a formula for Art.
From 3755 W Armitage Ave #1, Digital Prints with Mixed Media and Collage on Wood Panel, 24”x36”, 2025
From 3755 W Armitage Ave #2, Digital Prints with Mixed Media and Collage on Wood Panel, 24”x36”, 2025
The location of where the base photo of From 3755 W Armitage Ave #1 & #2 was taken is very close to the Rico Fresh grocery where on Oct 3rd ICE agents indiscriminately assaulted people in the parking lot with tear gas tossed from their vehicle. This is across from Funston Elementary and happened when school was just let out. This incident, and the ongoing activities of ICE and Border Patrol in Chicago, influenced the direction of the work.
Image Sources in From 3755 W Armitage Ave #1 & #2:
Base photo: Banners on side wall of XURRO churros , 3755 W Armitage Ave Chicago IL 60647, 03/07/2025
Jean Michel Basquiat - Trumpet 1984
Hieronymus Bosch - The Garden of Earthly Delights 1490-1510
Käthe Kollwitz - The Mothers (Die Mütter) 1922–1923
Pablo Picasso - Guernica 1937
Sigmar Polke - Watchtower with Geese 1987/88
Any Squared Projects (NE2) Various Artists - Tags and RESIST ICE sticker 2025
Avantco Equipment User Manual Manual Sausage Stuffer Model 177SS7V 177SS11V 177SS15V
Black Flag logo
Chicago Flag
Defense Technology SAF-SMOKE™ GRENADE Training and Operational info and spec sheet
Funston Elementary School Seal
Gary's U.S. Infantry Weapons Reference Guide ABC-M7A2 A3 grenade
Hillman House Numbers
Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing - Geometric diagram of a typical Archimedes screw turbine
The Key of Solomon, Magic Seals - #1: EU 052 Independence, EU 042 Luck, EU 049 Harmony in Couple
#2: EU 044 To Develop One’s Mental and Intellectual Abilities, EU 046 Wealth, EU 048 Health
Marine Leadership Academy Seal
Oliva Gallery logo
RicoFresh logo
TeachMeAnatomy - Fig 3. Posterior surface of the right femoral shaft
VectorMap.Net - chicago_illinois_us_map_vector
xurro Churros logo
From 927 S Western Ave (A Trajectory of BikeFreeek), Digital Prints with Mixed Media and Collage on Steel Panel, 15”x26”, 2025 (Original photo by Lauren Salmi)