Project Onward

A Day at Project Onward Studio [Oct 25, 2011]

2011-10-27T08:50:00.000-07:00

Work-in-Progress.. artist Safiya Hameed..

A photo-documentation of a normal day at Project Onward Studio..
All images taken on Tuesday, Oct 25, 2011..
within an hour time, that I was there..
Location: First Floor, Chicago Cultural Center..

In case what Project Onward is..
The mission of Project Onward is to support the creative growth of visual artists with mental and developmental disabilities. Project Onward provides studio space, art supplies, and professional guidance to emerging artists in a communal workshop environment..

Work-in-Progress, artist George Zuniga..

Here's the artwork, George Zuniga is working on..
Some more artwork of George Zuniga..click here.. and here..

Work-in-Progress, artist David Holt..

Work-in-Progress, artist Adam Hines..

Work-in-Progress by Blake Lenoir..

Latest work by Pedro Besantes was on the easel..

Latest work by Sereno Wilson.. at his work space..

Recently completed work, "Lost Coast" by John Behnke.. was on his table..

A recently completed work by Tony Davis..

And here's me...

RELATED LINKS..
Project Onward Artists..
Safiya Hameed..
George Zuniga..
David Holt..
Adam Hines..
Blake Lenoir..
Pedro Basantes..
Sereno Wilson..

Project Onward [Work-in-Progress, by George Zuniga]

2011-10-27T08:32:00.000-07:00

Project Onward [Work-in-Progress, by Adam Hines]

2011-10-19T11:45:00.000-07:00

Project Onward [Work-in-Progress, "Lost Coast", by John Behnke]

2011-10-18T09:06:00.000-07:00

John Behnke's work "Lost Coast". It took him about a month to complete this painting. It comes after his recent painting, "Glass Carnival", click here.. Few months back his paintings were exhibits at the Garden Corridor of Chicago Cultural Center,
"Golden Country, 2011", click here..
And he is just 20 years old..
Born: July 16, 1991..

And here is John Behnke, at work..
Images taken yesterday, Oct 17, 2011..

Below are some details of his painting..

Details of "Lost Coast",..

Details of "Lost Coast"..

"Lost Coast"..

Project Onward [Artwork of George Zuniga]

2011-10-18T06:31:00.000-07:00

Artwork by George Zunega..
For more on,
Artwork by George Zuniga, click here..

Above image: Photograph on which the painting is based..
Below image: Read artwork on George Zuniga's table at the Project Onward Studio..

Project Onward [Artwork of George Zuniga]

2011-10-18T05:59:00.000-07:00

Project Onward [Artwork of Stephon Doby]

2011-10-17T05:36:00.000-07:00

Artwork by Stephon Doby..

Work-in-Progress ["Glass Carnival", by John Behnke]

2011-10-14T10:12:00.000-07:00

John Bhenke..
Born July 16, 1991.
20 years old John Bhenke is one of the youngest artists at Project Onward.
Behnke uses dazzling colors and meticulors details to create pictorial narratives of his own inventions. Each painting tells a complex story, drawing upon fairy tales, science fiction, romance, enviornmental detail, and the artist's own vivid imagination.

Check out some of his incredible work here..
# John Behnke: Golden Country, 2011...

Here's John Behnke working on his painting, "Glass Carnival"..

Details, details, details..

Look at the details on the edges of the painting..

Almost complete painting, "Glass Carnival"..

Project Onward Studio and Gallery..

2011-10-14T05:33:00.000-07:00

Project Onward Studio at Chicago Cultural Center..
It has both gallery and workspace..

Project Onward Studio..
Various artists at work..

Fernando Ramirez at work in the Studio..

Safiya Hameed at work in the Studio..

Ryan Typich at work in the studio..

Work-in-Progress [by Jennifer Hager]

2011-10-12T22:57:00.000-07:00

Completed work..

Project Onward [Artwork of Jennifer Hager]

2011-10-12T19:00:00.000-07:00

Project Onward [Artwork of James Allen]

2011-10-12T05:46:00.000-07:00

James Allen..
Born: 1985.
For more, click here..

Project Onward [Artwork of Michael Hopkins]

2011-10-12T05:38:00.000-07:00

Michael Hopkins..
Born: 1956, Chicago.

Project Onward [Artwork of Michael Bryant]

2011-10-11T19:44:00.000-07:00

Project Onward [Artwork of Tony 'Bright' Davis]..

2011-10-10T19:22:00.000-07:00

Project Onward [Artwork of Adam Elias Hines]

2011-10-10T07:34:00.000-07:00

Famous Steves..

Famous Roads

General Motors Company logos..

Work-in-Progress [by Larry Chestnut]

2011-10-10T03:52:00.000-07:00

Project Onward [Artwork of Richard Willis]

2011-10-09T04:31:00.000-07:00

Project Onward Exhibit at Caffe Baci: Art in Focus..

2011-09-08T11:22:00.000-07:00

Project Onward Exhibit at Caffe Baci..
Temporary Exhibit: Art in Focus..
July - September, 2011..
The works of three artists from Project Onward are being exhibited at Caffe Baci. These artists are..

Tony Davis..
Michael Bryant..
Adam Elias Hines..

Throw the Bones - by Tony 'Bright' Davis..

Working Girls - by Tony 'Bright' Davis..

Tango - by Michael Bryant..

Enigma - by Michael Bryant..

James Bonds Thrillers - by Adam Elias Hines..

Hard Rock Cafe, Detroit - by Adam Elias Hines..

Project Onward: Portraits in the Park

2011-08-29T18:47:00.000-07:00

Project Onward offers portrait sessions on-site at Millennium Park,
August 2-September 15, 2011..
Hours: 10:30am-3:30pm, Mon-Fri..
Visitors can have their portrait created by the Project Onward artists for only $15.
Here is artist Fernando Ramirez at work..

She shows her portrait to her mom. She loves it.. Now it was time for her brother's portrait. Extreme left is Robin, from Project Onward.

RELATED LINKS..
# Fernando Ramirez..
# Events & Exhibitions..

Work-in-Progress [by Blake Lenoir ]

2011-08-29T10:41:00.000-07:00

Blake Lenoir has special affinity with nature and his artwork is nature related. here he found sometime to sit in the Lurie Garden, Millennium Park, to make a perennial garden..
When the work is finished I will post images here..

Some people stop by for an informal chat with Blake [Lurie Garden, Millennium Park]..

Complete work..

RELATED LINKS..
# Blake Lenoir..
# Artwork of Blake Lenoir..

Project Onward [Artwork of David A. Holt]

2011-08-29T10:01:00.000-07:00

David A. Holt..
Born: 1985, Chicago.
For more, click here..

Project Onward Exhibit at Chicago Cultural Center [ John Behnke: Golden Country, 2011]

2011-08-28T19:58:00.000-07:00

Garland Corridor at Chicago Cultural Center..

Temporary Exhibit: John Behnke: Golden Country, 2011..
Location: Garland Corridor, First Floor Chicago Cultural Center..

Tranquil Isolation

Halloween [acrylic on canvas]

Edgeport [acrylic on canvas]

Golden Country [acrylic on canvas]

The Signal [acrylic on canvas]

Midnight Fairie [acrylic on canvas]

Universal Gate [acrylic on canvas]

The Welcoming [acrylic on canvas]

The Orphanage [acrylic on canvas]

Jack and Sam [marker on paper]

Alice Heart: Twin Sisters [marker on paper]..

Paintings in the exhibit includes..

1. Tranquil Isolation [acrylic on canvas]
2. Halloween [acrylic on canvas]
3. Edgeport [acrylic on canvas]
4. Golden Country [acrylic on canvas]
5. The Signal [acrylic on canvas]
6. Midnight Fairie [acrylic on canvas]
7. Universal Gate [acrylic on canvas]
8. The Welcoming [acrylic on canvas]
9. The Orphanage [acrylic on canvas]
10. Jack and Sam [marker on paper]
11. Alice Heart: Twin Sisters [marker on paper]
12. Alice Heart: Mannequin [marker on paper]

The Welcoming - by John Behnke

2011-08-28T05:50:00.000-07:00

John Benhke's paintings are meticulously detailed and there is elaborate stories behind the different components of his work. For example this painting, "The Welcoming". First the details of the painting, and then the story..

The Welcoming
By John Behnke..
I am not a bad person, but is it still wrong to wish for a large amount of pain on someone? Yeah - I have a problems with my family. It's not like I dont have a good reason to dislike them. In fact, I would expect you to do the same.

After my father died, my mom became a control freak, and as a result, made my brothers and sisters clones to her image. I was fine with it, until I saw my husband for the first time. Frances is my husband. I really do love him, but my mom would care less. Once she saw that he was African American, she lost it and told me that if I was to marry him, our kids would look like little monsters. I was insulted and told her to go to hell. I thought that my sisters and brothers would understand my point of view, but they only cared about the way I talked to my mother to control. So I just gave up trying to please my family, and started to love Frances' family instead.

After eight years of living in the city with Frances and four wonderful kids, my sister Anna, called telling me that my mother wanted to to come over for Thanksgiving. There was still hatred inside of me, but I was able to see through them just one more time. The car ride was pretty awkward for my husband. I could have left him home with the kids, but I wanted them to see that I actually married Frances. The longer the ride took to get to my mothers house the more time I had to think about things she did to me, and I realized how much I truly hated her. At this point of time I just wished my stupid siblings died in a fire.

They never cared for me. They want to control me and turn me into a robot under my mother's command. Maybe it was a fact that I havent seen my mom in eight years, but I can't see any joy in coming to see her on Thanksgiving. I could be with Frances' family instead of being with people I hate.

We were about two blocks away from the house and I started to see smoke. At first I thought it could have been cookout, but when Frances turned the corner to my mother's house we saw the flames. My wish had come true, but I wasnt happy about it. Instead I started to remember all the good times I had with her and also I remembered that my brother and sister were my best friends when I was growing. But now I've wished them all away and now I'm left with ashes..

RELATED LINKS..
# John Behnke...
# John Behnke: Golden Country, 2011...
# The Welcoming - by John Behnke [Golden Country, 2011]

Project Onward: Random Images

2011-08-27T21:15:00.000-07:00

Do not travel faster than your gurdian angel can fly... Also, do not present your fame before the art-work you are capable of rendering..
Thought of in Art
By James Hall [07-14-2011]

Project Onward: Random Images

2011-08-27T21:10:00.000-07:00

Never be nonsensical about yourself or anything. [Let alone your good times in the past]..

Project Onward [Artwork of Sereno Wilson]

2011-08-27T10:08:00.000-07:00

Sereno Wilson..
Specializes in "glitter" art.. His portraits pay homage to inspirational figures, from comic book heroes to U.S. Presidents.

Sereno's work at exhibit, "Garden Party": Project Onward at Millennium Park
September 16 - November 2, 2011

Jane Byrne - by Sereno Wilson..
Jane Byrne was Chicago's first [and only] female mayor. She unseated Mayor Michael Bilandic in 1979.

Work-in-Progress [by Fernando Ramirez]

2011-08-27T06:48:00.000-07:00

Working on his hand-painted bottle series..

Fernando Ramirez
Born:1977, Guanajuato, Mexico

"Day of the Dead", hand-painted bottle series..

Project Onward [Artwork of Pedro Basantes]

2011-08-27T05:39:00.001-07:00

Image Above: the painting [work-in-progress]
Image Below: the photograph

Work-in-Progress [by Jennifer Hager]

2011-08-26T18:24:00.000-07:00

Jennifer Hager

Work-in-Progress [by Blake Lenoir]

2011-08-26T10:27:00.000-07:00

Work-in-progress at the Project Onward Studio..

Work-in-progress at the Project Onward Studio..

Blake Lenoir..
Born: January 01, 1985.. Chicago, IL..
The above images were taken in Feb, 2011.. when Blake was working on this piece. Whne I was at Project Onward gallery this Sep, 2011, I saw the finished work, seen in the image below..

Details..

Details..

RELATED LINKS..
# Blake Lenoir..
# Artwork of Blake Lenoir..

Project Onward [Artwork of Blake Lenoir]

2011-08-26T10:24:00.000-07:00

Sunflowers - by Blake Lenoir

Melting Pot - by Blake Lenoir

Work-in-Progress [by Ryan Tepich]

2011-08-25T17:52:00.000-07:00

Ryan Tepich
Born 1988, Chicago..
Work in progress..

Project Onward [Artwork of Motesem Mansur]

2011-08-25T17:27:00.000-07:00

Project Onward [Artwork of Andrew Hall]

2011-08-25T16:56:00.000-07:00

Project Onward [Artwork of Varton Kachadorian]

2011-08-25T07:11:00.000-07:00

Project Onward Artist: Larry Chestnut

2011-08-24T20:47:00.000-07:00

Project Onward Artist:

2011-08-24T20:37:00.000-07:00

Project Onward [Artwork of Rhya Fogerty]

2011-08-24T20:02:00.000-07:00

Project Onward [Artwork of Safiya Hameed]

2011-08-24T19:37:00.000-07:00

Project Onward Artist: Safiya Hameed
Born: 1989, Chicago..
For more, click here..

Project Onward [Artwork of David Jarmon]

2011-08-24T16:31:00.000-07:00

Project Onward [Artwork of Ruby Bradford]

2011-08-24T09:53:00.001-07:00

Superman flies over CBOT - by Ruby Bradford..
[CBOT is Chicago Board of Trade Bldg.]

HRH Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales 2nd day visit Chicago at CBOT - by Ruby Bradford..

HRH Prince William Windsor, The Duke of Cambridge - by Ruby Bradford..

Self Portrait..

2011-08-22T08:03:00.000-07:00

Self-portrait taken Feb, 2011..

Events /Exhibitions..

2010-01-04T08:11:00.000-08:00

Events /Exhibitions..

Project Onward Exhibit at Caffe Baci..
Portrait in A Park ..
John Behnke: Golden Country, 2011..
..

Links / Press

2010-01-03T19:47:00.000-08:00

Links/ Press..

You Tube..
# You Tube: Project Onward ...
# You Tube: Project Onward..

Press..
# WTTW: Chicago Tonight: Art Therapy ...
# The Chicago Arts Archive: Project Onward..
# Explore Chicago: Project Onward: Portraits in the Park ...
# Caffe Baci: Art in Focus: Project Onward..
# Inspire Me Chicago: Project Onward...
# Chicago Reader: Outside the Lines
# Leisa A. Hammett: Project Onward: Autism & Art..

Project Onward: Artists

2010-01-02T07:23:00.000-08:00

PROJECT ONWARD ARTISTS..

Please help with names..

Project Onward Artist: ...

Project Onward Artist...

Project Onward Artist: ...

...

Project Onward Artist: James Allen

2009-12-01T02:51:00.000-08:00

Project Onward Artist: James Allen
Born: January 01, 1985..
Read more from the Project Onward website click here..

RELATED LINKS..
# Artwork of James Allen..

Project Onward Artist: Pedro Basantes

2009-12-01T02:50:00.000-08:00

Project Onward Artist: Pedro Basantes..
Born: August 18, 1985.. Chicago, IL..

RELATED LINKS..
# Artwork of Pedro Basantes..

Read more from the Project Onward website click here..
Pedro's art is strongly influenced by being raised in Chicago. Identified as an artist at an early age, he attended Chicago's Academy of the Arts in high school and began working at Project Onward in 2006.

Pedro's multi-layer approach to painting creates life-like light and shadow - his heroes are classical and modernist painters such as Leonardo DaVinci and Michelangelo, and Claude Monet, Jackson Pollack and Chuck Close. Interested in architecture, engineering and photography as well as art history, Pedro says of his work, "I don't have structure in my own life, but art gives me structure. That's why I work with architecture."

Pedro's architecture paintings tell of the demolitions of the Chicago Housing Projects and Cabrini Green in relation to current vibrant cityscapes of Chicago. His art making practice is influenced by the city but also acts as his mental get away. "I grew up watching the city grow. I've always been interested in buildings. In the city everything compliments its surroundings and has its own personality..

Project Onward Artist: John Behnke

2009-12-01T02:49:00.000-08:00

Universal Gate - by John Behnke..

Midnight Fairie - by John Behnke..

Lost Coast - by John Behnke..

Project Onward Artist: John Behnke..
Born: 1991, Chicago IL.

RELATED LINKS..
# John Behnke [Work-in-Progress "Loast Coast"]..
# John Behnke [Work-in-Progress "Ghost Town"]
# Exhibit at Chicago Cultural Center: John Behnke, Golden Country, 2011..
# Painting, "The Welcoming" - by John Behnke [Golden Country, 2011]

Read more from the Project Onward website click here..
John Behnke is one of Project Onward's youngest artists, but his paintings of richly imagined dream worlds are the confident work of a master. Working with acrylic on canvas, Behnke uses dazzling colors and meticulous details to create pictorial narratives of his own invention. Each painting tells a complex story, drawing upon fairy tales, science fiction, romance, environmental decay, and the artist's own vivid imagination. While Behnke's dense, often hallucinatory visions are deeply compelling in their own right, the artist has written narratives to accompany each of the paintings in "Golden Country". The stories combine a romantic attitude toward the natural world with distopian visions of the near future: "How much can the earth give, until it's all gone? We're growing, and numbers leave scars" (from "Urban Tribe"). The text for "Universal Gate" contrasts the lives of millionaires who colonize other planets with the have-nots who toil humbly for the betterment of a degraded earth: "They could live in their gated community in the sky, but we'll live, finally, as one..

Project Onward Artist: David Blaisdell

2009-12-01T02:48:00.001-08:00

Project Onward Artist David Blaisdell..
Born: 1949, Quincy, MA
Read more from the Project Onward website.. click here..

Project Onward Artist: Ruby Bradford

2009-12-01T02:48:00.000-08:00

Project Onward Artist: Ruby Bradford
Born: January 01, 1985.. Chicago, IL..
Read more from Project Onward website click here..

RELATED LINKS..
# Artwork of Ruby Bradford ..

Project Onward Artist: Michael Bryant

2009-12-01T02:47:00.000-08:00

Project Onward Artist: Michael Bryant..
Born: 1958, Birmingham, AL..
Read more from the Project Onward website click here..

RELATED LINKS..
# Michael Bryant..
# Exhibit at Caffe Baci: Art in Focus..

Project Onward Artist: Larry Chestnut

2009-12-01T02:44:00.001-08:00

Project Onward Artist: Larry Chestnut
Born: 1980, Chicago, IL
Read more from the Project Onward website click here..

RELATED LINKS..
# Work-in-Progress - by Larry Chestnut..

Project Onward Artist: Tony 'Bright' Davis

2009-12-01T02:44:00.000-08:00

Project Onward Artist: Tony 'Bright' Davis..
Born: September 08, 1960..

RELATED LINKS..
# Artwork of Tony 'Bright' Davis..
# Caffe Baci Exhibit: Art in Focus..

Read more from the Project Onward website click here..
Tony Davis is a narrator of urban mythologies. His colorful renderings of street characters in flamboyant garb draw inspiration equally from comic books and the artist's own checkered past. Davis' gallery of rogues includes street walkers, street fighters, hustlers and pimps, the dwellers of an underworld rarely seen in art. Many of Davis' scenes are based on real people and actual events, but others - like Night Army and Black Goons - offer an alternate narrative to the crime and decay of the inner city. This is a tale of redemption in which the very pimps and prostitutes who dragged the neighborhood down rise up like superheroes to take back the streets from the new urban predators and their drug houses...

Project Onward Artist: Louis DeMarco

2009-12-01T02:43:00.000-08:00

Project Onward Artist: Stephon Doby

2009-12-01T02:42:00.000-08:00

Project Onward Artist: Stephon Doby..
Born: 1989, Chicago, IL..
Read more from the Project Onward website click here..

Project Onward Artist: Rhya Fogerty

2009-12-01T02:40:00.000-08:00

Project Onward Artist: Rhya Fogerty..
Born January 01, 1962..

RELATED LINKS..
# Artwork of Rhya Fogerty..

Project Onward Artist: Jennifer Hager

2009-12-01T02:39:00.000-08:00

Project Onward Artist: Jennifer Hager..

FOR MORE:
# Artwork of Jennifer Hager..
# Work-in-Progress, by Jennifer Hager..
# Work-in-Progress, by Jennifer Hager..

Project Onward Artist: Andrew Hall

2009-12-01T02:37:00.000-08:00

Self-Portrait by Andrew Hall..

Project Onward Artist: Andrew Hall..
Born: August 11, 1986.. Chicago, IL..
Read more from the Project Onward website click here..

RELATED LINKS..
# Andrew Hall..

Project Onward Artist: James Hall

2009-12-01T02:36:00.001-08:00

Project Onward Artist: Safiya Hameed

2009-12-01T02:36:00.000-08:00

Project Onward Artist: Safiya Hameed..
Born: Jan 01, 1989.. Chicago, IL..

RELATED LINKS..
# Artwork of Safiya Hameed..

Read more from the Project Onward website click here..
Safiya Ameera Hameed has been an artist at Project Onward since 2007, and is a graduate of Gallery 37. Safiya also attended Harold Washington College and received her certificate in Vocational Training and Development in 2009. Smart and determined, Safiya always has new ideas, new projects and the energy to see her plans through cheerfully. Her artwork reflects her interest in nature: colorful flowers, trees, animals and the sun radiate positive energy, as do the portraits of her favorite singer, Stevie Wonder.

With a style popular since the beginning of her Gallery 37 days; Safiya continues to make thoughtful, detailed compositions about nature, color, and music. Her first solo show, at the Project Onward Gallery in 2009, was a big success. Her goal is for her art to get "better and better," and she creates art to touch people with the same effervescent happiness that guides her brush strokes...

Project Onward Artist: Adam Elias Hines

2009-12-01T02:30:00.000-08:00

Project Onward Artist: Adam Elias Hines..
Born: January 1, 1986..

RELATED LINKS..
# Artwork of Adam Elias Hines..

Read more from the Project Onward website click here..
Since joining Project Onward in 2004, Adam Hines has produced thousands of "masterpieces": colorful, whimsical drawings on paper and cardboard that depict the contents of his extensive mental data bank. Game shows, TV commercials, dog breeds, cars, architectural landmarks, and people who have the same first name are among the endless stream of lists, categories, and memory-defying feats that appear in Adam's artwork. He is also the soulful lead singer of the rock-and-roll band DHF Express, along with fellow artist Louis DeMarco, and he brings the same open-hearted confidence expressed in his artwork to the music stage. Adam says, "I want to grab colored pencils and markers to start drawing whatever I want and make it into a masterpiece. Art making takes a lot of courage, especially to do such a fantastic job as I do."

Project Onward Artist: David Holt

2009-12-01T02:29:00.000-08:00

Project Onward Artist: David Holt..
Born: January 01, 1985..

RELATED LINKS..
# David A. Holt..

Read more from the Project Onward website click here..
David Holt started to draw in high school at Gallery 37, the City of Chicago's after school job training program in the arts. David's interest in music, romance and celebrities quickly found its way into his artwork. At Project Onward, David refined his craft and, beginning after the death of his grandmother in 2009, began to create memorial portraits of "important people" who have died. Whether drawing on a small piece of cardboard or painting on a monumental canvas, David is a consummate professional; he works hard in the studio and for each and every customer who has purchased his artwork, he logs their information in a small spiral notebook with his meticulous handwriting. Of his work, David says, "I did it and you can too. I am a dependable, honest person who is dedicated to my work... Being part of Project Onward is like a dream. It is fabulous blessing to make art. It is an opportunity to draw, paint, and have fun."

Project Onward Artist: Michael Hopkins

2009-12-01T02:28:00.000-08:00

Project Onward Artist: Michael Hopkins..
Born January 01, 1956.. Chicago, IL..
Read more from the Project Onward website click here..

For more..
# Artwork of Michael Hopkins..

Project Onward Artist: David Jarmon

2009-12-01T02:27:00.000-08:00

Project Onward Artist: David Jarmon..
Born: 1988, Chicago, IL..
Read more from the Project Onward website click here..

RELATED LINKS..
# Work-in-Progress, by David Jarmon..

Project Onward Artist: "Chuckie" Johnson

2009-12-01T02:26:00.000-08:00

Project Onward Artist: "Chuckie" Johnson..
Born: January 01, 1940.. Chicago, IL..
"Chukie" Johnson..

Project Onward Artist: Varton Kachadorian

2009-12-01T02:25:00.001-08:00

Project Onward Artist: Varton Kachadorian..

RELATED LINKS..
# Artwork of Varton Kachadorian..

Project Onward Artist: Blake Lenoir

2009-12-01T02:25:00.000-08:00

Project Onward Artist: Blake Lenoir..
Born: January 01, 1985..

RELATED LINKS..
# Artwork of Blake Lenoir..
# Blake Lenoir [work-in-progress]..
# Blake Lenoir [work-in-progress]..

Read more from the Project Onward website click here..
Blake Lenoir is an artist with autism and a longtime member of Project Onward. His elaborately detailed colored-pencil drawings of nature scenes and people working together have been exhibited all around the country. Blake specializes in depictions of entire ecosystems, with as many plant and animal species as he can fit onto a sheet of paper. His animal kingdoms, including endangered species, are peaceful places where everyone gets along. Several of his images have been used in national and local marketing campaigns, and one of his illustrations provided the cover for Temple Grandin, My Life in Pictures: A Coloring Book for Children about Autism, a companion to the HBO original film about the autistic author, activist, and livestock expert who is one of Blake's heroes. Blake's life and work, including his award-winning gift for gardening, have been profiled on WTTW's "Chicago Tonight," among many other media outlets. In addition to his artistic talents, Blake is a passionate advocate for people with autism, support for the arts, and a host of causes that need champions..

Project Onward Artist: Motesem Mansur

2009-12-01T02:24:00.000-08:00

Project Onward Artist: Motesem Mansur..

RELATED LINKS..
# Motesem Mansur..

Project Onward Artist: Meg McCarville

2009-12-01T02:23:00.001-08:00

Project Onward Artist: Meg McCarville.
Born: 1980, Shaumburg, IL..

Read more from the Project Onward website click here..
Meg McCarville has created a world, The Kingdom of Lil' Princess, populated by fanciful yet mischievous dolls. These dish soap bottle assemblages each come with a description that tells the story of that individuals adventures and mishaps in the land of Lil' Princess. A graduate from University of Illinois at Chicago, Meg studied video and photography, but especially enjoyed video for its immediacy. When she decided she needed to devote her time solely to art, she made use of her obsessive collecting ability, finding a myriad of materials and supplies to feed her projects, from fabrics and ribbons to doll heads, old toys, party favors and more. Since she began working in the Project Onward studio in early 2010, she has created over 100 figures. Her favorite artists are Sally Man, Henry Darger and Chris Burden.

Project Onward Artist: Molly McGrath

2009-12-01T02:23:00.000-08:00

Project Onward Artist: Theolia Norwood

2009-12-01T02:19:00.001-08:00

Theolia Norwood
Born: 1936, Benton County, MS..

Read more from the Project Onward website click here..
Theolia Norwood started making art as a child and started creating in earnest when he was 17. Planning to move to New York City to become a famous artist, he made it as far as Chicago before he ran out of travel money. The art and architecture of Chicago inspired him and he became serious about making art. Theolia worked in the fashion industry at Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdale's as well as modeling. When he retired he became a full-time artist. Ideas came from the nature, and memories of his childhood in the South.

Severe burns from a studio fire crystallized Theolia's goals as an artist, he wanted to work fast, and in as many different directions as possible. "They told me I would never be able to paint again, or live independently, on my own." Now he savors and uses every minute of his time, making artwork and sharing his stories.

Norwood creates atmospheric landscapes reminiscent both of the early Impressionists and of the Romantic painters. Scenes of forests, wetlands, and dramatic rock formations, many inspired by Norwood's boyhood memories of rural Mississippi, depict nature at its most sublime. But Norwood's compositions, in pastel, charcoal, or washes of color, appear on flattened cardboard boxes, discarded shipping containers and cartons. The materials he employs are the stuff of refuse; the vision he sets down upon them is the stuff of fantasy and fine art..

Project Onward Artist: Fernando Ramirez

2009-12-01T02:19:00.000-08:00

Project Onward Artist: Fernando Ramirez..
Born: January 01, 1977..

RELATED LINKS..
# Work-in-Progress, by Fernando Ramirez..
# Portraits in the Park..

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My work is a more colorful view of reality."

"I realized I would be an artist at around five years old. All throughout school, art was a way for me to meet people. I was at Gallery 37 for many years, and became efficient at painting on several types of surfaces and on unusual shapes. I try to do well on whatever I'm working on - I try to include all the colors, so one is bound to have their favorite somewhere. I work by the motto "quality is not an act, it's a habit". I like working at Project Onward because I get to practice and learn from other artists. I feel I specialize on portraits and cityscapes, but can also copy any style and restore damaged work.."

Fernando Ramirez was born in 1977 in Guanajuato, Mexico and moved at the age of three to Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood. Perhaps the most important and popular artist at Chicago's celebrated youth arts program, Gallery 37, Fernando completed numerous commissioned art projects including portraits of Mayor and Mrs. Daley, as well as many visiting dignitaries from around the world. He has created a large body of work enjoyed by Chicago residents and visitors alike. Fernando continues to paint colorful scenes of Chicago's famous locales, and enjoys a unique niche in painting three-dimensional objects. He continues to be a popular commission artist and is available to draw portraits for the public at the Project Onward Studio..

Project Onward Artist: Mary Etta Scott

2009-12-01T02:18:00.000-08:00

Project Onward Artist: Michael Smith

2009-12-01T02:17:00.000-08:00

Michael Smith
Born:. 1984, Chicago, IL

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Michael Smith is an artist with autism who also lives with mental illness and hearing impairment. As an apprentice artist in his teens at Gallery 37, Michael developed a unique personal style that appeared to draw upon fashion design and illustration techniques of the 1940's. Created with colored pencils and pastels, his signature compositions were orderly depictions of fancy dresses, elaborate ladies' hats, and stylized, doll-like faces. As he grew into adulthood and joined the artistic ranks of Project Onward, Michael's fashion-oriented drawings began to become more abstract. Figures once clearly defined began to blur under clouds of mark-making, their features and limbs barely suggested. The sense of mystery that his work evokes has only deepened with time, and Michael's drawings evoke questions as well as admiration. Who are the subjects of his work? Are we viewers seeing the same things that the artist sees? Michael describes his older work as "more finished"; his current body of work is, he says, "more advanced"..

Project Onward Artist: Ryan Tepich

2009-12-01T02:16:00.001-08:00

Project Onward Artist: Ryan Tepich..
January 01, 1988.. Chicago, IL..
RELATED LINKS..
# Work-in-Progress, by Ryan Tepich..

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Ryan Tepich is a meticulous draftsman, fascinated by the mysteries of light and dark. A diligent student of art historical iconography, Ryan finds inspiration in angels of all kinds, from chubby babies with fluffy wings to avenging angels with flaming swords. The images of Ryan's peculiar company of heaven are meticulously rendered in charcoal, ink, and watercolor on paper, and were featured in his recent solo exhibition at the Chicago Cultural Center's Project Onward Gallery. Like many individuals with autism, Ryan's way of seeing the world is in segments - in series of minute details rather than "the big picture." As a result, his completed drawings are incredibly intricate, with details and colors rendered flawlessly from the images he uses as source material. Yet his drawings are not "realistic" in any conventional sense, because the whole is delightfully other than the sum of its parts. He says, "I really like showing my artwork because I like when people say nice things about my art." Ryan has worked at Project Onward since 2007.

Project Onward Artist: Sereno Wilson

2009-12-01T02:16:00.000-08:00

Project Onward Artist: Sereno Wilson..
Born: January 01, 1979.. Germany..
RELATED LINKS..
# Artwork of Sereno Wilson..

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Sereno Wilson is known for his use of glitter. Originally born in Germany, Sereno moved to Chicago at the age of one and was identified as an artist by his teachers at a young age. As part of Gallery 37 during his high school years he worked on murals and became very skilled - this technical skill has helped him in developing a unique style using glitter, painting, and cardboard.

Sereno has quickly created a sensational body of work. Glitter has become a means of creating good luck, and his images of famous hip hop artists and actresses, as well as his portraiture for visitors to the Project Onward studio make him a big hit. At the age of 30, Sereno has lofty goals "I'm going to hit the jackpot with my work!"

Project Onward Artist: Lucy Woodhouse

2009-12-01T02:15:00.000-08:00

Project Onward Artist: Lucy Woodhouse..
Born: 1985, Chicago, IL..

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Lucy Woodhouse visual reduces her subject matter to strong images of black and white. Drawing in pen of plant life, textile designs and the human figure demonstrate her broad range of interest. Both decorative and modern, Lucy's artwork comes from a place of deep concentration, and attention to patterning and contrast. She is a graduate of the post-secondary program, P.A.C.E. at National-Louis University in Skokie, Illinois and has been with Project Onward since 2010.

Project Onward Artist: George Zuniga

2009-12-01T02:14:00.000-08:00

Project Onward Artist: George Zuniga
Born: 1982, Chicago, IL..
RELATED LINKS..
# Work-in-Progress, by George Zuniga..
# Work-in-Progress, by George Zuniga..
# Artwork of George Zuniga..

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George Zuniga's bold compositions and swift strokes, rendered in pastel, charcoal, and pencil, are examples of Artism, a term Zuniga coined to describe the work of an artist with autism. A self-taught expert on Cold War-era military armaments, television newscasters, Japanese animation, and heavy-metal music, George is an obsessive collector of information, both visual and auditory. Constantly holding his well-thumbed stack of computer printouts and wearing earphones for his constantly-playing Sony Walkman cassette recorder, George is a prolific artist whose portraits are honest and vibrant. In 2006 George, along with his fellow artists at Project Onward, participated in the Anti-Cruelty Society's Sixth Annual Animal Images Art Exhibit, where he discovered his new favorite subjects: cats and dogs. His highly stylized portrayals of pets display whimsy and humor, and help to make George one of Project Onward's most successful artists. His work is in a number of public and private collections and he has shown at galleries across the city of Chicago and in New York City...