Painting a blank canvas or wandering around city streets with a camera in hand gives me the most important ingredients when I'm creating art: spontaneity and freedom.

My palette — whether using paint, a camera, or a computer is strongly influenced by the unlimited sights, sounds, and colors of the city. From my paintings of cityscapes and people to my architectural photographs, screen prints, and abstract digital images — I work to capture the textures and sensations of the city.

I value the process of creating art and like to experiment with new techniques. I draw inspiration and ideas from the city, music, other artists, street art/graffiti, observing people, technology, and the media.

upcoming exhibits + events
Panelist, DIY Art Marketing Workshop - RAWednesdays: September 8, 2010
The NextWave Art Salon, Elgin, IL: September 10-11, 2010
The Writers WorkSpace, Chicago, IL: September - December 2010
Open Studios/Ravenswood ArtWalk, Cornelia Arts Building: October 2-3, 2010
Urbanest, Chicago, IL: currently showing abstract paintings

solo shows
The Writers WorkSpace, Chicago, IL: 2010
Urbanest, Chicago, IL: 2009-2010, 2006-2007
Wishbone, Chicago, IL: 2009, 2006, 2004
StoryStudio, Chicago, IL: 2008
Feed the Beast, Chicago, IL: 2006-2007
Emerald City, Chicago, IL: 2005-2006
Andie's Restaurant, Chicago, IL: 2005
Pause, Chicago, IL: 2005
Café Boost, Chicago, IL: 2005, 2001-2003
Starbuck's (Roscoe Village), Chicago, IL: 2005, 2003
Seattle's Best Coffee (Various Locations), Chicago, IL: 2002-2004
Pauline's, Chicago, IL: 2003
Bourgeois Pig, Chicago, IL: 2003

group shows
The NextWave Art Salon, Elgin, IL: 2010
Studio Open House (Cornelia Arts Building), Chicago, IL: 2006-2010
CAC Chicago Art Open* (Merchandise Mart), Chicago, IL: 2008
Art Walk Ravenswood* (Cornelia Arts Building), Chicago, IL: 2002-2009
Art on the Move Tours* (Cornelia Arts Building), Chicago, IL: 2008
Friends of the Arts* (Annual Members Show), Chicago, IL: 2003-2009
Wishbone, Chicago, IL: 2007-2008
Angel's Restaurant, Chicago, IL: 2006
The Art House* (Better Living Through Chemistry), Oak Park, IL: 2006
Bailiwick Theatre*, Chicago: 2004-2006
Andersonville Arts Weekend*, Chicago, IL: 2003-2006
Mount Adams Pavilion, Cincinnati, OH: 2005
Cornelia Arts Building (Art for Charity Days), Chicago, IL: 2004-2005
Landmark Arts Gallery* (Urban Consonance), Chicago, IL: 2005
Around the Coyote Winter Arts Festival* (Flatiron Arts Building), Chicago, IL: 2005
@tmosphere* (Silent Auction for Pierce Elementary School), Chicago, IL: 2004
Café Boost (FOTA Artist Showcase), Chicago, IL: 2003-2004
Fast Frame (Andersonville), Chicago, IL: 2004
Izzo/Jones Gallery* (Art-On), Chicago, IL: 2004
Laine-Art Gallerie* (Chicago Photography Project) Berlin, Germany: 2003-2004
University of Chicago Hospitals* (75th Anniversary), Chicago, IL: 2003
Aldo Castillo Gallery* (Genesis House Benefit Auction), Chicago, IL: 2003
The Know Show* (Andersonville), Chicago, IL: 2002

*Denotes exhibition as juried selection process or by invitation.

education, art studies + work experience
Panelist, DIY Art Marketing Workshop - RAWednesdays, Chicago: 2010
Email Marketing Communications, Friends of the Arts (FOTA): 2006-2010
Screen-Printing for Paper, Lill Street Art Center: 2008
Curator/Neighborhood Outreach Coordinator, FOTA: 2003-2006
Life Drawing, Lill Street Art Center: 2005
Art Business Boot Camp, Evanston Art Center: 2005
Matting and Presentation, Chicago Photography Center: 2004
Drawing into Painting, Lill Street Art Center: 2001
Internet Marketing, various tech + dot-com companies, 1994-2010
Web Designer/Email Campaign Manager, Arts eVentures, Inc., 2002-2003
Freelance Design + Marketing, 2001-2003
Bachelor of Arts - Media Communications, Northern Illinois University, 1993
DJ, Music Staff, and Station Manager, WKDI Radio, 1989-1993

affiliations
Cornelia Arts Building, Studio: 2006-2010
Friends of the Arts (FOTA), Member: 2002-2010
Chicago Artists Coalition, Member: 2006-2009
ArtWorldChicago.com, Member: 2003-2010
Around the Coyote, Member: 2005-2006
Lill Street Art Center, Member: 2005-2006
Evanston Art Center, Member: 2005-2006

commissions/press/awards
- Work in Various Private Collections: Illinois, New York, Minnesota, Washington, D.C., Barcelona, Spain
- Photo Reproduction, Chicago Cityscape, Sheraton Hotel, Elk Grove, IL, 2008
- Commission Painting, Wrigleyville, Synapse Medical, Chicago, 2007
- Commission Painting, Lobster Boy, Private Collection, Chicago, 2006
- Awarded Best in Show - Third Place for "Punk Bach" painting, The Art House (Better Living Through Chemistry), Oak Park, IL (2006)
- Featured artist in Off the Rocks: Volume 12 by NewTown Writers, a national literary journal. (2005)
- Featured artist in CenterstageChicago.com Visual Arts column and Red Streak (Chicago Sun Times) article: "The Art of Self-Promotion: How to market yourself as an artist" (2005)
- Recipient of the 2003 Friends of the Arts (FOTA) "Service to the Arts Community Award" for contributions to the Chicago art community (2004)

Kevin Swallow, artist
Chicago, IL
kevin@swallowstudios.com
773.551.4602