Hello…again.

Blind trust can change your world in the blink of an eye, which is what happened to me on October 2, 2022, which I why I have not shared any new creative thoughts or adventures that have happened along the way. I won’t go into a lot of details at this time, I will save that for another day. It has taken me months to begin to heal, I still have a long way to go and I will carry the physical, mental and emotional scars for the rest of my life. Now it is time for me to start fresh and reintroduce myself to life and the things that I know that I love, and to say hello, once again.

 

Painted Hands

Getting Creative

Allowing your Inner-Self to Get Creative

There are so many opportunities in and around Chicago to learn a new craft or to hone your existing skills. I hear stories every day about how creatives got their creative inspiration back during the COVID shutdowns. I am one of those creatives that got lost for awhile and then came back to something I really loved amid the most disastrous times in modern day history.

While growing up as a child, my grandparents wanted to make sure that I had every opportunity to find something that I was really passionate about. I was enrolled in violin lessons, flute lessons, art lessons, dance lessons. You name it, I probably did it. The one thing I truly loved was my Tuesday night private art lesson with an amazing and patient teacher. I learned so much about still life composition, charcoal drawings and shadows, color spectrums and composition. I was only able to attend a few months when the lessons suddenly stopped and my grandfather stopped coming home and my grandparents got divorced. I will never forget the joy that those Tuesday nights gave me and I still have several of the still life charcoal drawings that I created at the tender age of 9.

Being creative in life was never an option, it was expected. I am truly grateful for the creative opportunities that were provided to me and they have continued with me through adulthood and my subsequent and ongoing career. I have worked in the software industry in various role and at some of the most creative companies in the world, and often times I found myself enabling customers to get creative, while my world was filled with trying to get some sort of a work-life balance. I was a road-warrior for many years, out of town Monday-Friday and back just in time for the weekend to take care of things at home all weekend, just to do it again the following week.

COVID changed everything. I was grounded. No more business trips. No more personal trips. No more flights. No more customer visits. Nothing. I was very lost and very alone in a city with 8.4 million people. Being a road-warrior was my identity and my life, I loved it. Now it was gone, so who is Shellie Hall (ex-road warrior) now? I reached back once again into my childhood and to my grandmother who taught me to sew at an early age, and I was really good at it. If only there had been Project Runway back then, I would’ve had my own clothing line. Back to my point, I was/am an excellent seamstress and I saw an opportunity and I grabbed it.

All over the world, mask recommendations and/or mandates were being put in place and where the heck are you supposed to get masks, especially fashionable or fun masks? Look no further, I morphed into the mask-making seamstress of Chicago. I cut and sewed hundreds of masks for my friends and my community. Next thing I know, I am being contacted to make customized masks with company logos or personalized sayings. I did my research and purchased a digital cutting machine called a Cricut Maker which cuts vinyl, heat-transfer vinyl, paper, fabric and other lightweight materials. I was able create the iron on logos, etc. without a hitch. I began getting creative ideas on other ways I could use my fancy new cutting machine and I started designing 3D layered paper art.

As I refined my techniques and gained confidence in my creative abilities, I gifted one of my creations to a friend as a housewarming present and he was highly impressed. He ask me to take a drive with him and to bring any other cool pieces of paper art that I had created. I packed up 4 or 5 art creations and we headed to the Andersonville Galleria in Chicago. The Andersonville Galleria is a retail market building that currently features over 100 artists & vendors offering apparel, jewelry, artwork, home furnishings, giftware, accessories, antiques, fair trade, and gourmet treats.

As we walked inside I was truly amazed at all the beautifully crafted items throughout the space. I knew that this is where I belonged as an artist. The owner loved my work and assured me that there was nothing else like it throughout the Galleria. He immediately offered me a spot as an artisan which I wholeheartedly accepted. I have since grown my location within the Galleria and have added many new tools including a laser cutter/engraver to expand my creative offerings. I have also learned a lot about woodworking, painting with acrylics and watercolor and leather-working. My next medium to learn is going to be Metalsmithing.

I am still working full-time in the software industry and am able to work on my Chicago Shout artwork in the evening and weekends since I am no longer a road-warrior, and I recently moved into a new role where there is very little travel involved, and I really have learned to love being home and spending time with just me and my creative soul.

Reigniting my creative light truly saved my sanity and really made me rethink just about everything in my life. If I can find my way out of the darkness, maybe you can too.

–Shellie

Chicago’s Hidden Gems

5 free off-the-beaten-path things to do in Chicago

Another great article from ChooseChicago.com

You’ll feel just like one of the locals as you wander beyond downtown Chicago to discover little-known gems steeped in history and artistry. Best of all, these unique neighborhood spots are absolutely free.

1. Graceland Cemetery

Established in 1860, Graceland Cemetery in Uptown is a fascinating window into the city’s storied past. Some of the biggest names in Chicago history are buried here, including retailer Marshall Field, hotelier Potter Palmer, heavyweight champion Jack Johnson, America’s first undercover agent Allan Pinkerton, and architects Daniel Burnham, William LeBaron Jenney, and John Root. Take a free self-guided audio tour of this beautiful park-like space, dotted with amazing statues, elaborate tombs, and a historic stone chapel. Graceland Cemetery is also certified as an arboretum, with over 2,000 trees cultivated on the grounds. Grab a Tree Tour map from the cemetery office and check out this shady oasis. 4001 N. Clark St.

2. Bridgeport Art Center

Located in a Bridgeport building that exudes urban cool, the Bridgeport Art Center is a creative home for local artists and designers working in various media. Stroll through the outdoor sculpture garden and three curated art galleries, and don’t miss the Fashion Design Center, Chicago Ceramic Center, and Skyline Loft. Sneak a peek at some of the artists’ studios during free 3rd Fridays, held from 7 – 10 p.m. each month. Painters, sculptors, photographers, ceramicists, and fashion designers welcome visitors into their studios to see their latest work. 1200 W. 35th St.

Cool places nearby: Guaranteed Rate Field, home of the Chicago White Sox, The Duck Inn, Maria’s Packaged Goods & Community Bar, the Zhou B Art Center, and the Chicago Maritime Museum.

3. Maxwell Street Market

This free market is a Chicago tradition, held every Sunday from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. year round. Everything from fresh produce to clothing and handmade jewelry are for sale at vendor booths that line Desplaines Street in Little Italy/University Village. Bargains by the bagful aren’t the only thing you’ll find here; the market is also famed for its authentic Mexican and Latin street food, served hot off the grill. There’s also music and dance, with live bands playing everything from mariachi to blues and rock. 800 S. Desplaines St.

Cool places nearby: Jane Addams Hull House Museum, Taylor Street Italian restaurants and delis, Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii, Notre Dame de Chicago Church, and Arrigo Park.

4. Old Town School of Folk Music

With famed former students like Steve Goodman, Bonnie Koloc, and the Byrds’ Roger McGuinn, you know a visit to the Old Town School of Folk Music is going to be something special. Bring your own instrument or sing along during a free music jam at this legendary school and performance venue. Old Town School of Folk Music also offers classes and ticketed special events. 4544 N. Lincoln Ave.

5. Garden of the Phoenix

The Japanese government built the Ho-o-den (Phoenix Temple) as its pavilion for the 1893 World’s Fair on the Wooded Island in Jackson Park in the Hyde Park neighborhood. While the pavilion is no longer there, you can still visit this important site where you’ll find SKYLANDING — Yoko Ono’s first permanent art installation in North America. Explore the haven of blossoming cherry trees in the spring and enjoy koi ponds, waterfalls, bridges, authentic Japanese horticulture with complete serenity. The garden, known both as Garden of the Phoenix and Osaka Garden, is a true hidden gem, and well worth a visit.  S. Cornel Dr.

Cool places nearby: The Museum of Science & Industry, Frederick C. Robie House, DuSable Museum of African American History, and University of Chicago campus, including the Oriental Institute and Smart Museum of Art.

Chicago’s Street Art & Murals

This is a fabulous article from ChooseChicago.com

Chicago is a living canvas — literally. Tens of thousands of square feet of murals make their home on bridges, buildings, train stations, and even parking garages, telling the story of faith and hope, race and immigration, struggle and success, family and joy. The works of acclaimed street artists such as Hebru Brantley, Jeff Zimmerman, and Gaia are an integral part of the city’s progressive arts culture.

Check out these great neighborhoods for street art, share your pics, and tag them with #ChicagoHome.

Wabash Arts Corridor

With around 20 large-scale murals condensed into a seven-block stretch along Wabash Avenue (between Van Buren and Roosevelt Road in the South Loop), the Wabash Arts Corridor is something of a mecca for street art devotees. Use this map of mural locations to plan your route, and learn a little about some of the corridor’s highlights here.

From Doom to Bloom by Collin van der Sluijs This powerful jewel-toned mural by Dutch artist Collin van der Sluijis depicts two indigenous Illinois birds against larger-than-life blooms. At its heart, the work conveys triumph over adversity, and, ultimately, hope. The yellow-headed blackbird depicted was once common in Chicago, but has since disappeared, while the red-headed woodpecker is in danger of meeting the same fate. Van der Sluijs’ work, which tends to focus on “personal pleasures and struggles in daily life,” has been exhibited throughout Europe and in the United States. 1006 S. Michigan Ave.

Make Your Own Luck by ASVP ASVP is a Brooklyn-based printmaking and street art studio founded by artists Simon Grendene and Victor Anselmi. The duo’s mural, Make Your Own Luck, was created as part of Vertical Gallery’s The Power of Paint series, which focused on the idea of using art to help others. It’s a must-see work, emblazoned in red, white, and blue, with clear nods to advertising, pop, and comic-book culture — an ASVP trademark. 1 E. Balbo Drive, South Loop Club

Moose Bubblegum Bubble by Jacob Watts You can’t help but love Moose Bubblegum Bubble, a photo mural created by former Columbia College student Jacob Watts, one of the winners in the 2014 Columbia College Chicago’s Wabash Arts Corridor Campus competition. It’s whimsy at its best, with an enigmatic moose blowing a gigantic bubblegum bubble (which you likely gathered from the mural’s title). If you happen to be on a CTA Green Line or Orange Line ‘L’ train as it rounds the curve south of East Ida B. Wells Drive, you’ll get a perfect elevated view of the work. 33 E. Ida B. Wells Drive

Muddy Waters Mural by Eduardo Kobra The late, great Chicago blues musician Muddy Waters is the subject of a nine-story mural by internationally acclaimed Brazilian street artist Eduardo Kobra. It was created in 2016, as part of the Chicago Blues Festival celebrations. Kobra’s trademark color wheel of saturated hues and bold lines can’t be missed as you stroll along State Street towards Washington Street. The artist is well-known for his monumental murals of famous people, including musicians Bob Dylan in Minneapolis and David Bowie in Jersey City. 17 N. State St.

Pilsen

What started as a community project has skyrocketed into a full-blown mural movement in the heart of Pilsen, which, since the late 1960s and 1970s, has been a favored canvas for street artists and muralists. The neighborhood is a hub of Mexican culture and artistic expression, populated by dozens of artist’s studios and art galleries. Tip: To meet emerging artists in person, visit Pilsen during the Chicago Arts District’s (link to listing) monthly 2nd Fridays open studio and gallery walk.

Gulliver en el país de las Maravillas (Gulliver in Wonderland) by Hector Duarte This award-winning Mexican-born artist turned his two-story Pilsen home and studio into a stirring depiction of the Mexican immigration experience. The mural covers roughly 3,000 square feet on three sides of the building, and features a giant, outstretched Mexican immigrant as Gulliver from Gulliver’s Travels, struggling to break free from the barbed wire that binds him. It joins more than 50 murals Duarte has created in the Chicagoland area, each focusing on the themes of identity, immigration, and freedom. 1900 W. Cullerton St.

Quetzalcoatl and the Stork by Gaia Quetzalcoatl and the Stork is inspired by Pilsen itself, focusing on the shared Catholic faith between the neighborhood’s Polish and Mexican residents. For this particular mural, Baltimore-based street artist Gaia blends biblical figures with the two communities’ mythological traditions — hence the appearance of the Mexican serpent god Quetzalcoatl, the child-bringing white stork of Slavic mythology, and compositional elements borrowed from Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel Creation panels. Gaia’s studio work, installations, and gallery projects have been shown the world over, including at The Baltimore Museum of Art, Rice Gallery in Houston, and the Palazzo Collicola Arti Visive in Spoleto, Italy. 16th St. and Halsted St.

Increíbles las cosas a se ven(Oh, the Things You’ll See) by Jeff Zimmerman Jeff Zimmerman is best known for blending photorealistic images of locals with socio-political imagery relevant to the neighborhoods where his murals appear. For his three-panel Pilsen mural, painted above a laundromat, the artist creates a commentary on the immigrant experience among first, second, and third-generation Mexican Americans. He begins with references to the sacrifices made by those seeking to enter the United States, followed by a panel depicting blue-collar workers and skilled laborers, and culminates with a panel illustrating two graduates, a nurse and a teacher, accompanied by the words, ‘Si, se puede,’ or ‘Yes, you can.” In its entirety, the mural directly references the history and experiences of Pilsen residents who gaze upon it every day. 19th St. and Ashland Ave.

Galeria del Barrio by Aurelio Diaz One of the neighborhood’s oldest murals, Galeria del Barrio, was painted in 1976 by Aurelio Diaz, with the assistance of 20 children from St. Procopius Church. Twenty-two males in profile depict a dramatic evolution of emotions, collectively representing Mexican American identities and experiences. In 2009, artist Sam Kirk worked with the Chicago Public Art Group to restore the mural to its former glory. Blue Island and 16th St.

Untitled by Francisco Mendoza Artist, muralist, and teacher Francisco Mendoza grew up on Chicago’s south side, and was a pillar of the Pilsen community. His work, which tells the story of the city’s rich Mexican heritage, is brilliantly illustrated at the 18th Street Pink Line ‘L’ Station in Pilsen. For this project, Mendoza collaborated with the National Museum of Mexican Art and his students at Gallery 18, a satellite of the city-run youth art program Gallery 37. The whole station is an exuberant expression of Mexican culture, with color filling surfaces on stairways and platforms throughout. 18th Street Pink Line ‘L’ Station

Logan Square and Wicker Park/Bucktown

From the famed Greetings From Chicago mural brightening elevated train tracks to the ever-changing graffiti that covers the East Room on Milwaukee Avenue, Logan Square and Wicker Park/Bucktown are home to over 50 amazing murals. These neighborhoods, famed for their funky, hip vibe, couldn’t be better venues for street artists wanting to share their work with the world.

Greetings From Chicago by Victor Ving and Lisa Beggs New York City artists Victor Ving and Lisa Beggs have created approximately 30 “Greetings From” murals throughout the country, but Greetings From Chicago was the first. The artists incorporated iconic city images, including Willis Tower, the Chicago city flag, the Cubs baseball logo, and the nearby Logan Square monument, representing both classic aspects of the city and more off-the-beaten path corners that combined tell Chicago’s unique story. 2226 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Nike Running by Hebru Brantley Hebru Brantley’s iconic Flyboys are perfectly depicted in Wicker Park/Bucktown’s Nike Running, where four young city adventurers are depicted running so fast that their shoes leave dust and smoke in their wake. The mural is quintessentially Brantley, right down to the pop-art-meets-anime aesthetic. A Chicago native, his work has been exhibited throughout Europe and the United States, all the way from LA to Basel, Switzerland, and graces celebrity collections, including power couple Jay-Z and Beyonce. 2001 W. Concord Place, Nike Running Store

The ConAgra Brands Mural by Jeff Zimmermann Jeff Zimmerman makes another appearance in Wicker Park/Bucktown (as well as other Chicago locations). His mural, which adorns the side of coffeehouse-meets-cocktail-bar Ipsento 606, is simply mesmerizing. The photo-realism is astounding enough, but then there’s the location — right on The 606 elevated trail, and with a picturesque park sitting just below it. The monumental 42 x 90-foot mural depicts a montage of beautiful faces and nature-inspired motifs, combined with geometric forms in the saturated palette Zimmerman is famous for. 1813 N. Milwaukee Ave., Ipsento 606

Every Adventure Requires A First Step by Jerkface A mischievous, grinning Cheshire cat is the centerpiece of NYC-based street artist Jerkface’s colossal mural, located on the side of Lewis Towers in Wicker Park. Jerkface is well-known for his interpretations of pop culture icons, and Alice’s cat is the perfect subject, conveying a sense of nostalgia, whimsy, emotion, energy, and unbridled youthfulness. 1166 N. Milwaukee Ave., Lewis Towers

Humboldt Park

Humboldt Park is a Caribbean escape shrouded in urban charm. Marked by two monumental metal Puerto Rican flags that measure almost 60 feet in height, Puerto Rico Town (formerly the Paseo Boricua) is the neighborhood’s main thoroughfare, and a great place to start your discovery of Humboldt Park’s murals. Some will stir you, others will make you smile — and all will inspire you to whip out your camera.

The Party by Jeff Zimmerman This striking political mural sits outside Jeff Zimmerman’s studio, and features the artist’s characteristic portraits, saturated palette, and visual puns as a statement about the immigrant experience. It’s a huge, beautiful work, loaded with meaning. California & Cortez

Birds of Latin America by Gamaliel Ramirez Artist Gamaliel Ramirez, who passed away in 2018, painted many murals over his 40-year career in Chicago. This vibrant Humboldt Park work of art was brought to life in 1981 with the help of student artists from Centro Unidad Latina. It depicts Latin American bird species — including flamingoes, toucans, and parrots — making you feel like you just stepped into a lush rainforest. Ramirez believed that art belongs to the people, which made community murals one of his great passions. Division & Rockwell

Sea of Flags by Gamaliel Ramirez Ramirez’ Sea of Flags is another Humboldt Park favorite, and a lively representation of the neighborhood itself. The mural was inspired by a photograph of Fiesta Boricua, Humboldt Park’s annual festival celebrating Puerto Rican music, dance, and culture. It’s a perfect expression of the heart and soul of the neighborhood, and, in fact, was created with the help of local residents. Division & Campbell

Rogers Park

There are miles of murals in Rogers Park. In fact, the Mile of Murals public art initiative began in 2007, with the goal of nurturing and celebrating the neighborhood’s artistic persona with over 14,000 square feet of murals. But Rogers Park’s street art doesn’t begin and end there. Murals of every description brighten underpasses, overpasses, and viaducts, among other “urban canvases,” all over the neighborhood. Here are a few definitely worth checking out

Rogers Park Shuffle by Shane Treacy Shane Treacy’s mural is wonderfully whimsical — so much so that you can’t help smiling as soon as you see it. It’s a depiction of all the different people who live in Rogers Park, and a celebration of the rich diversity of the neighborhood. It’s also the perfect thing to brighten an otherwise grey urban underpass. 1416 W. Chase Ave.

Audubon Mural Project various artists Part of the Mile of Murals project, artists collaborated with the National Audubon Society to create this striking mural, which draws attention to the impact of climate change on North American bird species. You’ll see Illinois’ endangered native birds represented, including the Tree Swallow, Baltimore Oriole, Peregrine Falcon, Bald Eagle, Hooded Merganser, and Crowned Night Heron. Artists involved in the project include Ruben Aguirre, Cheri Charlton. Andrea Jablonski, Anthony Lewellen, Tyrue Slang Jones, and Chris Silva. Greenleaf & Glenwood

Respiration by Hebru Brantley You’ll spot Hebru Brantley’s work all over Chicago, and in some of the most unexpected places. In this case, you’ll find Respiration tucked underneath Rogers Park’s Metra train tracks, which makes it seem quite the hidden gem. The artist’s famous characters are front and center, riding on top of trains and even flying high above them — and always wearing their trademark goggles. Ravenswood & Pratt

Urban Oasis by Leah Tumerman There couldn’t be a more perfect theme for a Chicago mural. Leah Tumerman’s Urban Oasis borders on psychedelic, with nature blending into the city landscape. Look closely, and you’ll see iconic Rogers Park architecture, too. It’s a beautiful, fantastical scene, and it brightens the day for all who walk by it. Touhy & Glenwood

Note: While many of the city’s murals are permanent, works displayed may change from time to time. Explore Chicago’s street art scene with a local on a free Chicago Greeter visit.

Looking for more? Explore more public art in Chicago’s neighborhoods.