October is Artist's Month in Chicago! We're celebrating close to home with a show of local artists. Cyd Smillie will be showing three oil paintings tracing the surrender of the body to the landscape. All artwork will be for sale and is on view for the month of October in the building on the corner of Elston and Berteau. It's free to come by and see 10 different artists' views of the beautiful world we live in.

If you missed the warm and wonderful opening on Friday you can still stop by on week-ends through the month of October to see the show. Art In My Back Yard has invested in better lighting and the space is the best yet. Thanks again to Jackie Kazarian and Liz Mills.

July 12, 2009 Chicago's own Bach and Beyond performed Mendelsohn's incidental music to Shakespear's, "A Midsummer's Night Dream" in the 6th floor ballroom of the DANK HOUSE. To add color and form to the stunning performance local and international artists including Cyd Smillie presented artwork inspired by the play (see example -"Puck and Oberon Amused by Fools")

The collected artwork continues to be on exhibit in the Scharpenberg Gallery through August. The gallery is open on Saturdays from 11 to 3 or by appointment.

Is there anything more rejuvenating than the sight of spring flowers? This May the Avram Eisen Gallery gives you a chance to enjoy their life affirming wonder even if your garden hasn't sprouted yet. Cyd Smillie along with 10 other area artists plant their seeds and share their visions of beauty. Come share the experience the first week-end of May, and maybe buy mom a flower that will last for years to come.

"The Ecstasy" of the moment; of the season; of the day; of the dream. Where will it carry you? For artist Cyd Smillie sketches from life come back to life in new colors, with new feeling, and passion. If you could have an image for your walls, what would you like to see day after day? Something empty? Something that reinforces what you dream it could be? What you could be...Surround yourself with the images you love and will love you back.

August House Studios in Chicago opened "Blue Plate Special" to a rousing crowd of art enthusiasts and foodies alike. Some came in after seeing Dave Hoekstra's article in the Chicago Suntimes some because they wanted unique gifts for the season but all the guests were treated to a 3 day opening that featured 114 original plates. Cyd Smillie was among the nearly 80 artists who contributed a blue plate for the show along with Nick Bridge, Tom James, Alan Hicks, and many other Chicago favorites. Stop by and enjoy! The show will be up through December.

October greys.

November awaits its turn,

and art changes too.

In preparation for an unspecified show Cyd Smillie paints with renewed energy. The DANK HAUS show continues through November and the preparations for "The Blue Plate Special" show in December at the AUGUST HOUSE STUDIOS are well under way. "What's on your plate this fall?"

October is Artist Month in Chicago and Cyd Smillie joins the fun with showings at the DANK HAUS and AVRAM EISEN GALLERY. The DANK HAUS show, "Facing Walls" features work by artists responding to a prompt about walls--emotional and physical. Check out artslant.com for pictures of some of the artwork and furniture. The show opens October 3rd and runs through November 29th.

The special exhibit at the Avram Eisen Gallery features artists who are parents and faculty at Chicago's Bell School. Originally a 3 day celebration, the artwork has been held over for the month. Cyd Smillie will be showing both watercolors and traditional oils all for sale with a portion of the sales benefitting the school.