New Venture: Rendezvous Coffee & Tea, Galena

How time flies when you're having fun! Has it really been nearly 3 months since my last post? It's been many months since I spent any time at the easel. Too long for sure, but that doesn't mean I haven't been creating.

The news: We have decided to open a family run business - a coffee and tea shop, with gallery and music - in the historic town of Galena, Illinois. "Rendezvous Coffee & Tea" (temporary website/blog) is proving to be my most challenging work of art to date!

Last month, we purchased the 150+ year old building at 112 North Main Street, with two upstairs apartments and a ground floor shop. Galena is a thriving tourist town, with many upscale shops and art galleries, excellent restaurants, and a beautiful setting among the rolling hills of north western Illinois. We will be taking over the entire building for our work/live space, and we are fortunate that our building is located in the busiest section of town.

We are in the process of working on the build out for the shop, aiming for a grand opening sometime in early July. Our daughter Teagan is assisting me with interior design and is also working on our identity, logo, website (url coming soon) and signage. Teagan just completed her second year of art training, specializing in illustration and graphic design. She is also a talented painter and the shop will feature her work as well as my own, plus rotating exhibitions by some of my most respected artist friends from Chicago and around the world.

When he's not managing the business aspects of the coffee shop, my husband Steve will be playing his own compositions on guitar during scheduled live music events at Rendezvous, and also coordinating other regional music acts for guest performances. On occasion, there will even be sessions of my beloved Irish music!

Sons Alex and Nate will help manage and work the coffee shop, and Alex will also take charge of the computer and sound systems, supplying free WiFi for our customers. Alex will soon have his degree in computer sciences; and in the fall, Nate will be a junior at Galena High School.

We are working with Intelligentsia Coffee and Tea in Chicago for our barista training, and will carry their coffee, espresso and loose tea products at Rendezvous. We love Intelligentsia's philosophy that coffee should be grown, processed and experienced as one would fine wine. This philosophy shows up in their products and we are proud to present them on Main Street, Galena. If you are going to sell coffee, you should sell the best!

Our food menu will be simple, fresh European style baked goods such as croissant, brioche, baguettes, madeleines, tarts, muffins and biscotti, supplied by local Galena baker Cynthia Sedan at Cynthia's Extra Batch, along with fine chocolates and selected bottled beverages.

Intelligentsia fresh roasted seasonal and single origin coffee beans and blends, black cat espresso, and bagged loose teas will be available for purchase on sight. Classic to trendy brewing equipment and accessories will round out the offerings at Rendezvous.

It's been a great feeling working on this project as a family. We have always been very close, and it seems like we each have an important talent to bring to the table that we are excited to share with our new community of Galena, and her visitors.

One question I keep hearing, and I'll answer it here - yes, we are retaining our Chicago home and our important and loving connections with family, friends, and the Chicago art and music scenes. The commute is just over three hours, we'll be back in the big city often!

I saw some black butterflies on my walk today, and one of them lighted on my drawing arm for a moment. Could this be a sign? My drawing muse has returned, just in time for the dust to settle on our project!

Here are some photos - just after we moved in:

Four Exhibitions This Month!

I have work in four exhibitions this March!

~~~

The Irish American Heritage Center and Windy City Arts presents:

"A Touch of the Poet"
Over 40 Chicago visual artists respond to Irish poets

Curated by Laura Coyle

Friday, March 5 to Saturday, April 3, 2010

Opening Reception:
Friday, March 5th, 6-9 pm
The Irish American Heritage Center
4627 N Knox, Chicago, IL 60630

~~~




"A Rich & Rare Land"

The Beverly Arts Center

ATRIUM, THEATER & BRIDGE Gallery Exhibition
Reception: Saturday, Mar. 6, 6-9pm

Group exhibition with art inspired by Ireland
Exhibiting artists include: Tim McCarthy, Nina Weiss, Alice McMahon White,
Molly Shannon, Fran Mazur & Michael Latala

Curated by Alice McMahon White

Thursday, March 4 to Sunday April 4th, 2010

Beverly Arts Center
2407 W. 111th St.
Chicago, IL 60655
773.445.3838

~~~

33 Collective Gallery

Gallery Artists' Exhibition
Opening reception March 19

Runs March 19 to April 9, 2010

33 Collective Gallery
Zhou B. Art Center
1029 W. 35th St.
First Floor
Chicago, IL 60609
Ph. 708-837-4534

Gallery Hours
Monday through Thursday:
10 am to 2 pm
Friday: 10 am to 7 pm

~~~


I have been invited to participate in the visiting artist's program

"The White Album"
Adlai E. Stevenson High School


Each month the school's
Rotunda Gallery
showcases the work of a different professional artist
that then works in residency with students

My White Album series of pastel portraits will be exhibited

Adlai E. Stevenson High School
1 Stevenson Drive
Lincolnshire, IL 60069

Commission: Brennan Brothers at Gogarty's

Commission: "Brennan Brothers at Gogarty's" The brothers along with their bartender, Dublin, Ireland, 14 x 11" Pen & ink with Guinness Stout wash.

Commission Works

I've been catching up on commissioned artworks, now that I'm post-black butterfly exhibition. Here are two of the most recent, both in pastel, and another commissioned drawing with Guinness wash is in the works. It's always a grace to work on something special for a patron, it's even more rewarding if they are pleased with the results, which is the case with each of these.

I've also been busy with shows the past few months, selling a few things, and 2 group shows coming up in January.

Happy New Year, Peace On Earth! ~ Alice



"Terra and Egan" Siblings in soft pastel on sanded paper. 16"H x 20"W



"Swan Nebula" Pastel on sanded paper, 26 x 36" Private collection, Las Vegas NV.

3 Shows for the Holidays

Vintalogie Shop, Galena Illinois


My Irish works are being shown now through December 20th at the McCord House Gallery in Palos Park, IL for a special holiday event.

A selection of my Black Butterfly charcoal works are on display for the month of December at the Vintalogie Shop on Main Street in the historic town Galena, Illinois.

I'll be on hand at The Beverly Arts Center, Chicago, on Saturday, December 5th for the Artist's Studio Sale event. I'll be exhibiting various small works for this one day only event. Everything at the show is priced $300 and under.

Also, my work is now included on the A Stroke of Genius portrait artist website. I'm in excellent company!

Video, Black Butterfly: the muse solo show

Video footage of "Black Butterfly: the muse" solo exhibition at 33 Collective Gallery, Chicago.
Opening Reception was September 18, 2009. Show ran until October 10th. Thanks to Sergio Gomez for providing this video.

My Work at the Visionary Art Gallery

I'm honored that my work has been accepted and featured on the Visionary Art Gallery website! I'm amazed to be included among these inspirational artists!


Find more photos like this on Visionary Art

Photos: Black Butterfly Opening Reception

I love opening nights and the "Black Butterfly: the muse" reception was the best ever for me. The show was well attended, partly because of the support of many friends, and also because of the vibrancy of the community of my co-op gallery at 33 Collective and also the Zhou B Art Center Chicago, which are both open the third Friday of each month. The reaction to my work far exceeded my expectations and I spent the night answering many questions about my process and imagery. My husband Steve White sang and played his own songs at the reception. Christine Pfeiffer read some of her own writings, as well as my poems and those of Maya Angelou and Oscar Wilde. Many thanks to both of you for lending an extra dash of culture and class to the event! Also, big thanks to Sergio Gomez for all of your help setting up the show.

Here are photos from the opening reception which took place Friday September 18th, 2009. Thanks to my friends Mike Barret Kolasinski and Mary Beth Deitrick for taking photos for me throughout the evening.

Gallery hours at 33 Collective,
Monday through Thursday:
10 am to 2 pm
Friday: 10 am to 7 pm

Zhou B. Art Center
1029 W. 35th St.
First Floor
Chicago, IL 60609
Ph. 708-837-4534

Black Butterfly Exhibition Opens Tonight!

A few photos of the 33 Collective Gallery, pre-show.

Solo Exhibition, Black Butterfly: the muse

Black Butterfly: the muse

Alice McMahon White
charcoal realist drawings on mylar drafting film

September 18th through October 10th

Opening Reception:
Friday, September 18 from 7 - 10 pm
Featuring live dance performances,
music by Steve White and
poetry readings by Christine Pfeiffer.

View online gallery

33 Collective Gallery
Zhou B. Art Center
1029 W. 35th St.
First Floor
Chicago, IL 60609
Ph. 708-837-4534

Gallery Hours
Monday through Thursday:
10 am to 2 pm
Friday: 10 am to 7 pm

The Butterfly Effect

Portrait of my artist friend Martin Soto, chanting in his “cocoon” meditation room at his studio at Zhou B Art Center, based on the theory that the flapping of a butterfly’s wings can cause a hurricane on the other side of the world. The interior life can have profound effects on the world as well. Martin allowed me to take photos of him while he was practicing Buddhist chant. He uses meditation as a means to put himself in a good frame of mind to create. Martin has begun to paint butterflies on the canvas wall coverings in his meditation room, after we had a discussion that spirit is one symbolic meaning of butterflies. The day I photographed Martin he was in emotional turmoil, and it was amazing to watch the transforming power of his prayer. I thought this was a perfect metaphor for the Butterfly Effect drawing. The nautilus is a symbol for spirituality, and has 31 chambers while the Buddhist prayer beads have 30. It wasn't a conscious decision, but this piece for me has a strong relationship with hurricane Katrina.

"Madame Butterfly"

"He will call Butterfly from the distance
I without answering
Stay hidden
A little to tease him,
A little as to not die.
At the first meeting,
And then a little troubled
He will call, he will call
"Little one, dear wife
Blossom of orange""

~ Puccini

"Madame Butterfly" model, dancer Cori Kolasinski, daughter of an artist friend. Charcoal on Mylar drafting film, 24 x 20."

This is a "double sided" drawing, I drew on both sides of the translucent Mylar, and it will be hung in a frame between 2 sheets of glass. The piece is meant to be hung near a picture window in the gallery space, with daylight shining through the window during the day, and with spot lights after dark. There will be room behind the piece so that viewers will be able to view the work from either side. Kind of a quick loose drawing, because I wanted to show movement. I used the progressive setting on my camera to capture movement - I have hundreds of usable photos from the shoot. The res was a bit lower, but the captures were fairly clear. I'll definitely draw more from this shoot at a later date. The voluminous skirt Cori wore during the shoot appeared lit from within in the north light of the studio as she did pirouettes and arabesques. I believe this will provide drama with light showing through as the piece hangs in the gallery.

The main purpose was to have a piece that would be an example of the nature of my chosen surface. I also wanted to include a dancer in my "muse" series, what better theme than a dance version of the well known Puccini opera, "Madame Butterfly?"

Artistic video with music from the opera:

Small Brass Butterfly Shrines - Daily Drawings

Charcoal and white pastel pencil on Mylar drafting film. Image size 4 x 2", frames 5 3/4 x 3"

I found these fabulous small vintage solid brass religious icon shrines at my local antique dealer's. There were yellowing postcards of Jesus and Saint Therese in the frames, but I got sacrilegious and drew butterflies for them instead. I've used a paisley patterned backing paper behind the translucent Mylar - nice with the brass of the frames. The doors are hinged.

The butterfly has long been a Christian symbol of resurrection, for it disappears into a cocoon and appears dead, but emerges later far more beautiful and powerful than before.

As a symbol of Christ's resurrection after three days in the grave, the butterfly is seen especially around Easter. But the butterfly is also a symbol of every Christian's hope of resurrection from the dead.

Close up of one of the butterfly shrines:

#9 Dream (Homage to Salvador Dalí)

Charcoal on Mylar drafting film, 12 x 24".

A surrealistic impression of John Lennon's murder.

For the drawing, I've used a reference photo of the Charter Arms .38 revolver the police confiscated at the scene of the crime, tagged as shown in the photo. The butterflies, white lily, and stormy backdrop are from my own references I took on recent vacations. The flower placed inside the gun barrel is reminiscent of 1967's “Flower Power,” photo by Bernard Norman, showing a long-haired antiwar protester shoving carnations into the gun barrels of MPs during an anti-Vietnam protest at the Pentagon. The caterpillar and butterflies are symbols of the earthly life, spirit, and transformation in the afterlife, and were often used by artist Salvador Dalí.

Lennon was murdered on December 8, 1980, shot four times in the back.

In 1979, Lennon's assassin (nameless, as Yoko requested) began drinking heavily and developed an obsession for contemporary art. He bought numerous items of art, including a Salvador Dali, amassing a debt that was becoming way out of control. He began reading with an insatiable appetite, especially “The Catcher in The Rye.” He often interpreted lyrics as if they had been written especially for him. #9 Dream from Lennon's "Walls & Bridges" album was a special song for John - some say the strange and haunting lyrics of #9 Dream are John's premonition of his own death. According to John, the foreign-sounding phrase "Ah! böwakawa poussé, poussé." doesn't mean anything...it is just a phrase that came to him in a dream and he decided to base a song around it.

As I was drawing from the storm landscape reference photo, I noticed a vague dark spout along the horizon. There was a tornado touchdown this past July during the storm I had photographed while we were driving, skirting the eye of the storm near Galena, Illinois. I'm not sure if I had captured the funnel's beginning, but I emphasized the funnel effect in my drawing. The sense of impending doom was strong that afternoon and it matches my unease in the current climate in the states.

My motivation for drawing this piece is the surge in gun sales since U.S. President Obama was elected, just one of the many issues in the current American landscape. "It's simply paranoia," said Thomas Mannard of the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence. "And it's irresponsible, from my point of view, to be touting how wonderful this is. More guns definitely equal more death."

Mr. Lennon still inspires.

I have a dream...


#9 Dream

So long ago
Was it in a dream, was it just a dream?
I know, yes I know
Seemed so very real, it seemed so real to me

Took a walk down the street
Thru the heat whispered trees
I thought I could hear (hear, hear, hear)
Somebody call out my name, as it started to rain

Two spirits dancing so strange

Ah! böwakawa poussé, poussé
Ah! böwakawa poussé, poussé
Ah! böwakawa poussé, poussé

Dream, dream away
Magic in the air, was magic in the air?
I believe, yes I believe
More I cannot say, what more can I say?

On a river of sound
Thru the mirror go round, round
I thought I could feel (feel, feel, feel)
Music touching my soul, something warm, sudden cold
The spirit dance was unfolding

Ah! böwakawa poussé, poussé
Ah! böwakawa poussé, poussé
Ah! böwakawa poussé, poussé


Lyrics, by John Lennon


The butterfly wings along the flower stem are after this painting by Salvador Dalí:

Artist Statement, Black Butterfly: The Muse

Solo Exhibition opens September 18th through October 10th 2009 at 33 Collective Gallery at Zhou B Art Center, Chicago.

Statement:

It’s all about inspiration.

In my series of symbolist figurative works “Black Butterfly: The Muse,” the ethereal butterfly represents the artist's muse and subjects are always those who are involved in the creative arts. Butterflies may seem a trite symbol, but in the summer of 2008, I had an unusual amount of butterfly sightings, especially black varieties. These occurred just as I was going through a burst of artistic creativity. I wrote my first poem in decades about the encounters as metaphoric of the artist's muse and began to include butterflies in a new series of charcoal drawings executed on heavy weight frosted Mylar drafting film.

I'm most influenced by the visionary artists, magic realists such as the Pre-Raphaelites, William Blake, Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Andrew Wyeth. I admire the deep emotion they convey through use of the figure and props and their subtle manipulation of reality.

Classical themes from literature or gods and goddesses find a place in “Black Butterfly.” The artist’s muse and gifts can have destructive effects on the ego, and the butterfly metaphor of death and transformation in the afterlife is a strong element in my works depicting celebrities who died through drug abuse or murder. Celebrity portraits have an element of a “cover tune” and are not my usual fare; however, I have used a few of them here to illustrate the idea of giftedness and the celebrity that can be the result of strong personal charisma. These icons of popular culture are our heroes, gods and goddesses of our era. Wherever possible, I have obtained the permission of the original photographer to use their references.

While I most often use my own references, I also embrace the contemporary idea of internet community, sometimes presenting drawings from online artist friend’s self-portrait photography. Combining historical classical painting themes with these personas and symbols, my intent is to relate a deeper truth about the subject and the meanings of life and art in general.

From a technical aspect, I enjoy playing with the translucent quality of the Mylar film in the drawn and erased surface, which is so beautiful for rendering the reflective quality of human complexions. I am also experimenting with the color and texture of the backing paper, sometimes layering a drawing or digital image on the backing paper which shows through the Mylar surface. One drawing of John Lennon is framed in a lighted shrine box, with an electric candle shining through the Mylar. Cast off vintage frames are part of my process; I enjoy taking something that may be regarded as trash and reusing it in an unexpected and creative manner. These lend a sculptural quality in the work, and reflect on my classic style and subject matter.

These drawings are meant to be noble representations of individual subjects, and also illustrative of the best aspects of our time: bringing together a wealth of influences, a recognition of art history, and a contemporary attitude, to create images that are of the moment, but that hopefully will also remain relevant in the future.

~ Alice McMahon White, Chicago, September 2009

Still I Rise ~ Daily Drawing

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” ~ Maya Angelou

Black Butterfly series, miniature portrait of poet and author Maya Angelou. Charcoal and white pastel on Mylar drafting film with digital print poem underlay, in vintage tabletop swing frame. Image size 9 x 7"



Still I Rise by Maya Angelou

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.

The Picture of Dorian Gray

"I knew that I had come face to face with some one whose mere personality was so fascinating that, if I allowed it to do so, it would absorb my whole nature, my whole soul, my very art itself." ~ Oscar Wilde ~ The Picture of Dorian Gray






My solo show is scheduled to open at 33 Collective Gallery on September 18th. I have just a couple more wall holes to fill before then. “The Picture of Dorian Gray” (36" x 28" charcoal on Mylar drafting film in vintage mirror frame) is another work for Black Butterfly: The Muse, my series inspired by the arts, with my subjects coming from the various artistic disciplines.

This is a portrait of artist/musician/model Ryan Dies. I met Ryan in an art jewelry shop, “1 ofmykind jewels” during a recent trip to the historic town of Galena, Illinois. Ryan was friendly and engaging right off. He was wearing a heavy beaded choker of his own design and looked so handsome I couldn’t resist asking him if I could take a few photographs to be used for a drawing. Ryan was happy to pose for the references, and the natural light was beautiful that day. Peacock feathers and ornate gilt mirror frames were part of the décor of the shop, so ideas for the drawing were formed almost immediately during the shoot. We had a nice conversation about the Chicago art scene and I talked with Ryan about a couple of his very good surrealist paintings that were on display. Later as I looked through the photos I decided Ryan would make the perfect model for a contemporary “Dorian Gray.”
The Picture of Dorian Gray is the only published novel by the Irish poet Oscar Wilde. It is a story about a handsome young man who becomes enthralled with the idea of a new hedonism. He begins to indulge in every kind of pleasure, moral and immoral.

I used a compilation of several of the reference photos from Ryan’s shoot for the finished drawing. The peacock feathers seemed a natural symbol for Dorian’s pride in his physical appearance, the pride that made him wish to never grow old. I took liberties by changing Ryan’s existing forearm tattoo to one with a butterfly and poppy flowers – symbols for transformation and for “Dorian’s” travels to an opium den as a way to escape his crimes. I decided to add the skull ring on Dorian’s hand – a design by Jodie McGill of 1 ofmykind. I thought the skull was very appropriate as a reference to the plot of Wilde's novel. The butterflies in this work refer to Dorian’s muse: his own handsome mirror image; saved from corruption by the putrefying portrait that grows more horrifying with each sin committed by his increasingly evil character. I decided that I’d prefer to keep the decaying “picture” implied only, by using the ornate mirror frame to display this work.

Outside of physical beauty there is no comparing Ryan’s pleasant personality with the ugly character of Dorian Gray. He has been delightful to work with and I look forward to following this talented young man’s career.

Here's a fun and appropriate related video. Enjoy!

Roses and Rue

From the Black Butterfly series.

Mini portrait of Oscar Wilde – image size 10×8” Charcoal and white pastel pencil on Mylar film. A copy of an early draft of Roses and Rue, in Wilde’s own hand, shows through the translucent Mylar.

Roses and Rue

by Oscar Wilde, for actress Lillie Langtry

Could we dig up this long-buried treasure,
Were it worth the pleasure,
We never could learn love’s song,
We are parted too long

Could the passionate past that is fled
Call back its dead,
Could we live it all over again,
Were it worth the pain!

I remember we used to meet
By an ivied seat,
And you warbled each pretty word
With the air of a bird;

And your voice had a quaver in it,
Just like a linnet,
And shook, as the blackbird’s throat
With its last big note;

And your eyes, they were green and grey
Like an April day,
But lit into amethyst
When I stooped and kissed;

And your mouth, it would never smile
For a long, long while,
Then it rippled all over with laughter
Five minutes after.

You were always afraid of a shower,
Just like a flower:
I remember you started and ran
When the rain began.

I remember I never could catch you,
For no one could match you,
You had wonderful, luminous, fleet,
Little wings to your feet.

I remember your hair – did I tie it?
For it always ran riot -
Like a tangled sunbeam of gold:
These things are old.

I remember so well the room,
And the lilac bloom
That beat at the dripping pane
In the warm June rain;

And the colour of your gown,
It was amber-brown,
And two yellow satin bows
From the shoulders rose.

And the handkerchief of French lace
Which you held to your face-
Had a small tear left a stain?
Or was it the rain?

On your hand as it waved adieu
There were veins of blue;
In your voice as it said good-bye
Was a petulant cry,

“You have only wasted your life.”
(Ah, that was the knife!)
When I rushed through the garden gate
It was all too late.

Could we live it over again,
Were it worth the pain,
Could the passionate past that is fled
Call back its dead!

Well, if my heart must break,
Dear love, for your sake,
It will break in music, I know,
Poets’ hearts break so.

But strange that I was not told
That the brain can hold
In a tiny ivory cell
God’s heaven and hell.


Scenes from the 1978 mini series "Lillie" Francesca Annis as Lillie Langtry
Peter Egan as Oscar Wilde, music "Oscillate Wildly" by The Smiths