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Windy City Vibes: Get to Know These One of a Kind Makers
10 . 16 . 2022
We can't say it enough - shop local! Better yet, shop from artists whose work is inspired by the boldness and beauty of the Windy City! We chatted with four local artists who draw inspiration from Chicago's culture and aesthetic.
Designer Maria Cicarelli, a graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, has been creating since childhood when her aunt gave her a needle and thread. Since then, Maria has been inspired by her love of textiles, architecture (particularly the Chicago cityscape), and nature, to create original works of art individually silk screened onto linen, cotton, faux suede or silk.
What led you to become an artist or maker?
Maria: As a child living in downtown Buenos Aires, I either played with fabric, doing small sewing projects with my aunt or I made clothes for my dolls. Later in life, I became a maker when I couldn't find what I wanted at stores.
Tell us about your creative process.
Maria: I like to first draw and then create a small sample before going on to create the final piece. I sometimes make hundreds of drawings before settling on one design.
What handmade possession do you most cherish?
Maria: A small tapestry I made back in college when I was trying to reuse scraps of fabric.
What are you most looking forward to at the show?
Maria: I'm just really happy to be back since the pandemic! We all need to engage in the things we love, just more cautiously.
Tom Daniels and his partner Missy owned and operated a pet boutique for thirteen years in Chicago's West Lakeview neighborhood. Through this, they became inspired to create their own line of pet collars and accessories. Emblazoned with the distinctive stars of the Chicago flag, Chicago style hot dogs and more, Six Point Pet's work truly reflects the character of the city.
Tell us about your work and creative process.
Tom: Our dog and cat collars feature custom woven ribbon with our original designs or collaborations with artists local to Chicago. Once we have a concept, we work through yarn colors and select the colors that allow the design to have the most visual impact. Then we sew the ribbon to industrial strength nylons to make the final products.
What inspired you to start Six Point Pet?
Tom: We used to have a pet boutique called Sam & Willy's. We found ourselves most interested in the collars we were sourcing and selling at the store. We felt we could make products in Chicago with an aesthetic that represents the city.
Is there anything you're especially excited to bring to the Holiday Show this year?
Tom: Yes! We have been working on a new design, a twist on traditional polka dots.
Do you partner with a nonprofit or charitable organization?
At the One of a Kind Show, PAWS Chicago will be the beneficiary of a portion of the sales of our To The Rescue dog treats.
Originally from South Carolina, Casey Stanberry has always had a passion for historic architecture and its relationship with daily life. Now living in Chicago and working at an architecture firm, Casey creates artwork depicting complex architectural pieces, including Chicago icons like Wrigley Field and The Music Box Theater.
What led you to become an artist or maker?
Casey: I studied architecture and fell in love with drawing the built environment around me.
Tell us about your work.
Casey: My artwork tries to capture the spirit of city environments and buildings. I use my own photos, satellite images and found photos to reference the structures I draw in pen and ink.
Where do you find the inspiration and motivation to create your art?
Casey: Traveling to cities and sketching plays a huge part in my process. I enjoy trying to capture the spirit of a place in 2D and seeing others respond to it.
Is there anything you're especially excited to bring to the show this year?
Casey: I'm very excited to bring lots of Chicago-centric prints and seeing people react to the familiar landmarks from around the city!
A Professor of Pediatrics & Neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Dr. Stephen Sheldon is fascinated with the intersection of neurobiology and art. In 2009, he began creating high-resolution macro photographs of renowned Chicago artists' palettes.
What led you to your craft?
Stephen: After visiting various artists' studios with the Art Institute of Chicago, I found myself intensely interested in the ephemera and patterns on the artists' palettes. Chicago artist, David Klamen, permitted me to photograph his palettes and the roster then evolved organically, as one artist introduced me to another, and so on.
What inspires your work?
Stephen: I find inspiration in the things we see every day to which we pay little attention. They are sometime common, or often too small to see. The interaction of the human nervous system in creating art is also exciting to observe. Finding the same patterns on the artist's palette as on their finished product reveals a neurobiological symmetry that is commonly unnoticed. Late Chicago artist Ed Paschke said, "You can tell a true artist from their palette."
What handmade possession do you most cherish?
Stephen: My daughter's greeting cards! She will also be at the show presenting as Oak & Arbor in the Emerging Artist section.
Do you have Chicago-inspired gifts on your holiday shopping list? Meet these makers and more at the One of a Kind Holiday Show, December 1-4.