Spring Break, My Foot!

No, really, my foot. My feet -- both of them -- are tired. My dogs are barkin', figuratively and literally. I decided to take on a project through Taskrabbit to get a quick stack of cash, and it's turned into so much more than just a little project. I've probably walked 40 miles across this city in the last two weeks! It's the reason I've been quite absent, on here and on Facebook and on Etsy, and on all of the platform I'm usually so active. I plan to be done with the project by Tuesday next week, but until then I might still be a little scarce.

However, I do have things in the works. I've got another sale on GroopDealz -- you'll be able to purchase many of my City Map Necklaces for only $13.99 starting Sunday April 20th!

I've still got many of my pieces available at Paperish Mess here in Chicago, including the ever-popular MLB Game Used Baseball Pendants, Earrings, and Cuff Links. This wonderful little shop is full of treasures from artists around Chicago, and it's well worth a visit if you're wandering around Chicago Ave. on a relatively warm Spring day.

I'll be a vendor at my first Randolph Street Market of the season on April 26th and 27th -- this is the best place in the city to see tons of amazing vintage pieces, and the Indie Market (where I'm stationed) is a real treat, too. So many things you didn't know you needed (but you do).

We're going to be hosting another Orange Dot First Friday at the Flat Iron Arts Building (studio 215!) on May 2nd, and as far as I know, Atom Basham will still have his fabulous paintings here for viewing and for sale, and now he has prints available! Get ready to part with your paycheck, because once you see them in person you won't want to leave without taking something of his home. There are temporary mural paintings going up in the hallways as I write this, and it's very much a "now you see it, now you don't" sort of thing, so see it while you can.

You can view all of my show/market updates on theBigCityBumpkin.com

So until then, I'm going to make myself a faux-chicken sandwich, and watch the Brady Bunch. See y'all soon!

I'm Having a Party, and Everyone's Invited!

This Friday is the open house for the building (First Friday, Flat Iron Arts Building), so I thought why not turn it into a party?

That's how the Ugly-Sweater-Optional Purple Prince Another Lonely Christmas party was born. So if you're in the Chicago area, or even if you're not, this is a great night to stop by, have fun, peruse jewelry, and dance to a mix of Prince and weird holiday music.

Join the Facebook event page HERE

So yeah, ugly sweaters are optional, purple is encouraged, and I will do my damnedest to get y'all some banana daiquiris. You know, banana daiquiris until you go blind...

Well, if you don't know, if you haven't heard this absolute treasure of a holiday song yet, I can promise you'll hear it at this party. Probably several times.

First Friday Recap

I can't say enough about how awesome Tessa is, and how much I love her work.

In fact, I think she should just move into my living room, swap redneck stories with me (I'm from Virginia, she's from West Virginia), watch Squidbillies, and teach me how to wear rockin' wigs without looking like a clown.

Seriously, sister rocks that purple wig like it was natural to her.

Her work is equally awesome, as it should be.  Yes, yes those ARE ouija boards that say "fuck off!" instead of "goodbye".

Seriously, get over to her Etsy shop and start buying it all up before she gets really famous, and her stuff costs $1,000s.  Do it now.

Dumbkat Press on Etsy

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Dumbkat Press on Facebook

First Friday -- Studio 215 Featured Artist, Tessa / DumbKat Press

I met Tessa at my first RAW Artists showcase -- she was wearing a bright green dress and a hot pink wig, and we shot the shit about baseball and cats.  That pretty much sealed the deal for me -- this chick is badass, and if you want to be part of the awesomeness, you can meet her tonight in Studio 215 for First Friday at the Flat Iron Building.

If you need more inspiration, here's some of her work:

Her prints are available in her Etsy shop at Dumbkat Press

and you can also connect with her on Facebook.

As always this event is open to everyone, young and old, hipster and square.

I may or may not be inspired to make snacks and serve drinks, don't hold me to it.  You can always BYOB, but if you act like a drunken fool my bouncer (Dave) will boot you.

Studio 215 is located on the second floor of the Flat Iron Arts Building in Wicker Park.  Follow the Chicago flag signs to my space, or accidentally run into it while looking for the bathroom.

Either way works.

First Friday Recap

So apparently, good weather does not necessarily mean a packed house for First Friday.  Thank goodness Katie brought in her awesome friends, who kept me entertained throughout the night, and the visitors to the building seemed to really enjoy her work!  She also had free zines to give away (I grabbed one, and stored away another to send to a friend).

One of the more interesting things that happened involved Katie being asked to design a cane for MS patients in need.  It just so happened that the other woman in the room at the time worked with people with disabilities, and had a long list of clients with MS who were actually in need of canes, so it kind of became this awesome circle of people connecting to help other people.

(If you're interested in the program, visit Team Chrissy!  The winner of the 2012 People's Favorite Decorated Cane was Kevin Lahvic, another FIAB resident.)

Katie's work looked great, and I'll be a little sad when she takes it down tonight.  One of my favorite parts of hosting artists is that I get my own little art gallery, sometimes for a few days.

Fringe benefits.  ;)

It was a really fun night, that ended with an actual marching band (Environmental Encroachment) coming up through the hallway and playing in the Collaboraction theatre.  Anyone who knows me probably then knows that I just about peed my pants -- I've got a real thing for marching bands!!  They took the party back out into the streets, where we followed them and danced the wild rumpus, then back into the building again for more fun.

Needless to say, I love this place.

Thanks again to Katie Holland, follow her for updates and how you can purchase her work!

First Friday -- Studio 215 Featured Artist, Katie Holland

I've been following Katie / Heartless Arts online for, I think, almost as long as I've lived in Chicago.  I only very recently met her in person, but she's just as friendly and clever as she is online.  I am SO happy to be hosting her as the featured artist this Friday, and I hope she'll get the good luck of great weather + a lot of visitors to the building who will enjoy her work.

In addition to her mixed media pieces and paintings, she's also going to have copies of her zine with her on Friday, so drift on over to Studio 215 and see what it's all about.

Check out Katie's blog,

follow her on Facebook,

and buy her work on Etsy!

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So the usual details: come by, meet Katie, pet my dog, eat my snack foods.

Flat Iron Arts Building

1579 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Suite 215
(second floor, follow the signs!)

Wicker Park neighborhood, Chicago IL

6pm-10pm

BYOB, but don't be a drunken ass.  ;)

Need directions, more info, or romantic advice (hah!)?  You can message me on Facebook,
or email me at vanessa@thebigcitybumpkin.com

As always, I'll look forward to meeting new people, and showing off the studio space!

First Friday Recap

First Friday with our first featured artist went so well!  Caleb and Emily were a pleasure to talk to and hang out with for the night, and I hope we'll get a chance to do it again!

Despite the inclement weather, our feature artist Caleb had SO many friends and supporters show up!  It's great to see that kind of thing, and I loved watching him talk excitedly about his work with his admirers.

He brought my FAVORITE piece, and I'm so happy to say that I was able to purchase it, and it's now hanging on my wall.  I asked Dave to pick his favorite, and thank goodness, we agreed on this one.

I also selected two prints, and honestly, if I'd had my way (or the money to do it), I probably would have purchased nearly everything he had.  I love Caleb's work, but more than anything I love that it comes from a really pure place.  Caleb isn't in it for the money, it's a truly organic creation process for him, and hearing him talk about his work really shows how much he puts into everything he does.

Thanks again, Caleb (and Emily!) for sharing your work, and I hope we can do it again in the near future!

You can find Caleb's work on Etsy: Caleb Rocha

You can also find Emily on Etsy: Emily Purpura

First Friday -- Studio 215 Featured Artist, Caleb Rocha

Today I'm working on a few custom pieces (must be Mother's Day gifts), and enjoying sipping on my coffee, and having the studio to myself to listen to The Vandellas as loud as I please.

I suppose at some point I'll have to start the epic cleaning required before First Friday tomorrow, but until then I'm going to enjoy this.

By the way -- because tomorrow IS First Friday, I'm proud to welcome Caleb Rocha as my first featured artist!!  He's going to bring some of his prints, and I think there's a possibility he might bring a sculpture.  Stop by my studio on the second floor, #215 (follow the Chicago flag signs!) and see what's up, tomorrow night.

These are some of his pieces that I especially love.

New Pieces

My first "open house" last night was fun!  I was most excited to meet two "internet friends" -- Katie of Heartless Arts, and Angelique of Kalknits -- thank you ladies for stopping by!  It was fabulous to meet you in person!

I got an itch to paint the other day, and made a few of these "sun" & "moon" pieces -- although of course, they're open for interpretation (I've heard that the "moon" looks more like earth, and the "sun" looks like a harvest moon?).  Whatever they are, I think they're pretty.  I've been wearing a moon paired with a quartz crystal for the last few days, I think it's a cool combination!

They'll be up in my Etsy shop next week, if you're interested.

I kind of want to try my hand at painting more... I might not be any good at actual figures, but I really love color combinations.  I also think it creates a need in me to practice patience, and any chance I get to do that, I should probably take it -- after all, practice makes perfect, hm?