Got the Dirtbombs blasting away on the Yamaha.  Starting a new piece about Marshall 'Major' Taylor, 1899 World Cycling Champion.

I'm searching for an explosion of speed in this ode to one bad-ass cyclist.  A man who rose to the top during the turn of the last century...despite being an African American. He was raised in Indiana, starts riding in his late teens and wins his first race at age 22. Racism keeps his name and a couple of cycling's fastest records off the charts in 1896, but in 1899 he breaks his own record for a 1:19 mile win for the World Championship and the World record.  

Eventually he travels to Europe and makes a hell of an impression, as well as a lot of good friends. He continues to race at the top until around 1904.  Then, sadly, poor business decisions and illness leave him pennyless and he winds up living in the YMCA downtown Chicago.  Where he dies at age 53.

I hope I can do him justice in this painting, he deserved much more.

http://www.majortaylorassociation.org/who.htm

  Elotes Locos, vinyl & acrylic w/india ink on mason board, 38x28" , framed in black.

                   Pigeon Run, vinyl & acrylic paint w/india ink on wood, 60x26"

                   High Roller,  vinyl & acrylic paint w/india ink on wood, 47x26"

Here are three new pieces finished and ready for the July opening of my one man show:       

"Momentum Wild"

Take flight on the Urban Machine through an exploration of the most versatile mode of urban transportation.  From the street vendor to the obscure rat bikes, Chicago is a city of cycling strength, courage, and ingenuity. 

More work on its way!

 http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/02/11/daley-honored-criticized-in-art-exhibit/

Made a spot on the Channel 2 local news Friday morning.  This is a link to it. They show the Daley piece and the exhibit.  My first 15 seconds of fame.  Hopefully the other 14 min. 45 sec. are in the brew machine.

More work on the way.  Like a mad dog hammering away in the studio.  Working on a Tall bike rider with a Purple Crate  Schwinn as the tricked out ride....photos to come.

Thanks everyone for attending the opening on the coldest night of the winter!  Turned out to be a really good crowd.  You all are super awesome!  This is a link to a pic of some of the artists posted on Flicker...http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomcatace86/5379360800/in/photostream/

Thank you to those of you who have posted on this blog!  I can not figure out how to respond to you individually.  The comments area simply doesn't post my responses.  I've no idea why.    Your comments are very appreciated and I sincerely thank you for taking the time to look at my work and make a comment.  Cheers to you all!

work in progress...

"Elotes Locos," vinyl paint and india ink on mason board, 24x36"

About a year ago I saw the man who inspired this painting.  He was rolling lazily along the paths of Humboldt Park on his way to meet up with some other vendors nearby. He's been brewing in my head ever since.  I'm planning on doing the lettering in blue and red, hand written, like you see on the local carts.  Some more inking to do, but the gist of it is here.  Another piece for the show this July. 

Group show opening Friday, Jan 21st

This Friday the 21st. Jackson Junge Gallery is hosting what should be a pretty amusing take on the tenure of our own sweet love him/hate him Mayor Richard J. Daley.  Opening reception is at 1389 N. Milwaukee from 6-9pm (just south of Damen/North/Milwaukee EL stop).  Refreshments and good times will be served.

After selling everything I made this year, I am working feverishly to build up a new body of work for a solo show slated to open this July.  The work will be based on the theme of the bicycle and it's many uses in the urban landscape.  I am inspired by sleek, fast, gnarly messengers, food vendors and their customized mobile resturaunts, the clowns on the tall bike contraptions, and of course, the Latino's in Humbodlt Park with their bad-ass low-riders and chromed up cruisers.  Here, I am working on the first of the series for the show.  These cyclists are sending a flock of pigeons into flight.