Local Art @ EPL: Michael Loewenstein

“Keithberg In The Rain”

We are happy to welcome Evanston painter Michael Loewenstein as the next featured artist in our ongoing exhibition series Local Art @ EPL.  For forty years he was the Scenic Art Director for WTTW Channel 11 where he designed many PBS favorites including Siskel and Ebert, Kukla Fran and Ollie, Chicago Tonight, and Soundstage.  After his retirement he began to pursue his interest in fine art, and now his exhibit Life After Siskel and Ebert is on display on the 2nd floor of EPL’s Main Library through November 30th.  Presenting a striking selection of his oils and watercolors, Loewenstein’s exhibit shows his preference for “content as opposed to technique” while exploring his “particular interest in light and perspective.”  Don’t miss it!

Local Art @ EPL: Marta Mazur

“Hurricane Sandy” by Marta Mazur

We are thrilled to welcome local painter and poet Marta Mazur as the next featured artist in our ongoing exhibition series Local Art @ EPL.  Her exhibit – titled Life in the Rush – is currently on display on the 2nd floor of EPL’s Main Library where you can catch it through April 30th.  Featuring a striking mix of abstract oils, pencil and charcoal drawings, and original poetry, her show strives “to understand difficult issues and take a hard look at society.”  You can see more of her work by visiting her website, and make sure to check back with Off the Shelf later in April for a featured interview with the artist herself.  Stay tuned.

An Interview with Maryna Danylovych

Maryna Danylovych is a Chicagoland painter and the latest featured artist in our ongoing exhibition series Local Art @ EPL.  From now until December 31st, more than three dozen of her impressionist still lifes and landscapes will be on display on the 2nd floor of EPL’s Main Library.  Inspired by her favorite painters Monet, Renoir, and O’Keefe, Danylovych strives to ensure that the emotions she puts into her pictures reach the people who view them.  We recently spoke with her via email about her artistic origins, creative process, and future plans.

Local Art @ EPL

We are pleased to introduce Chicagoland painter Maryna Danylovych as the next featured artist in our ongoing exhibition series Local Art @ EPL.  Throughout December, more than three dozen of her impressionist still lifes and landscapes will be on display on the 2nd floor of EPL’s Main Library.  Inspired by her favorite painters Monet, Renoir, and O’Keefe, Danylovych strives to ensure that the emotions she puts into her pictures reach the people who view them.  Don’t miss her show, and also make sure to check back with Off the Shelf later in December for an interview with the artist herself.  Stay tuned.

An Interview with Janet Trierweiler & Matthew Schaefer

Janet Trierweiler and Matthew Schaefer are Evanston painters and the latest artists to be featured in our ongoing exhibition series Local Art @ EPL.  Their show – titled We do not need to leave the Earth – is currently on display on the 2nd floor of EPL’s Main Library where you can catch it through the end of February.  Working collaboratively as Calaj, their deluted oil paintings on linked canvases strive to create a viewing experience “of refreshing vulnerability and psychic relaxation.”  You can learn more about Ms. Trierweiler’s and Mr. Schaefer’s Calaj paintings by visiting their website, and you can meet the artists themselves at a closing reception on Wednesday, February 26th at 7 pm.  We recently spoke with Ms. Trierweiler and Mr. Schaefer via email about their artistic origins, creative rituals, and philosophical interests.

Local Art @ EPL

We are thrilled to introduce Evanston painters Janet Trierweiler and Matthew Schaefer as the next featured artists in our ongoing exhibition series Local Art @ EPL.  Their show – titled We do not need to leave the Earth – is currently on display on the 2nd floor of EPL’s Main Library where you can catch it through February 28th.  Working collaboratively as Calaj, their deluted oil paintings on linked canvases strive to create a viewing experience “of refreshing vulnerability and psychic relaxation.”  You can learn more about Ms. Trierweiler’s and Mr. Schaefer’s Calaj paintings by visiting their website, and you can meet the artists themselves at a closing reception on Wednesday, February 26th at 7 pm.  Also, make sure to check back with Off the Shelf later in the month for an interview with the artists. Stay tuned.

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

How to Kill a Vampire (Series)

Fans’ outrage over the end of the Sookie Stackhouse series is chronicled by the Wall Street Journal.  Despite her best attempts at a satisfying finale, author Charlaine Harris was so overwhelmed by taunting emails and death threats she was frightened into canceling her Dead Ever After book tour.

Self-Portrait of an Artist

Flavorwire curates this impressive collection of 20 visual self-portraits by famous authors. Ranging from scribbles to studied oil paintings, the digital show includes works by Sylvia Plath, Jack Kerouac, Flannery O’Connor, Mark Twain, Margaret Atwood, and Kurt Vonnegut (above).

Country Noir

The emerging genre of Midwestern noir is featured in this American Prospect article.  Exemplified by the work of Donald Ray Pollock and Frank Bill, these violent, unsentimental books turn the tables on “don’t-bother-locking-the-doors nostalgia” for rural America.

Literary Legos

Book Riot showcases eight incredible Lego projects based on books.  Included are scenes from Moby-Dick, Don Quixote, The Shining as well as a mind-blowing, 400,000 brick reconstruction of Hogwarts from the Harry Potter series.

Local Art @ EPL

“Orange Roses”

We are very happy to introduce local painter and teacher Peggy Magee as the next artist in our ongoing exhibition series Local Art @ EPL.  From now through the end of November, nearly two dozen of her vibrant watercolors will be on display on the 2nd floor of EPL’s Main Branch.  You can preview Ms. Magee’s work by visiting her website and also meet the artist herself at an opening reception on Sunday, November 4th from 2-4 pm.

Local Art @ EPL

“King Leonidas” by Timothy L. Campbell

We are proud to welcome Alice DuBois and Timothy L. Campbell back to EPL this month for a brand-new Local Art @ EPL exhibit.  After making their solo library debuts in 2010, the Evanston-based artists have teamed up to present two dozen stunning works that mix oils, acrylics, and collage.  Spirited, surreal, and endlessly creative, the paintings are inspired by history, travel, alchemy, music, and even books from EPL’s own collection which are included in the display.  You can catch their show on the 2nd floor of EPL’s Main Branch through the end of June and also view more of their work at the following: Ms. DuBois’ Flickr site and Mr. Campbell’s Flickr site.  Finally, make sure to stop right back here on Off the Shelf later this month for a featured interview with the artists themselves.  Stay tuned.