Firecat Projects

11/12/2024

opening this friday november 15 at 7pm. jane sloss takes you in a journey through chicago' 'L'stops with her amazing watercolors. hop on board. exhibition will be aailable for viewing through december

09/16/2024

coming to firecat projects november 15th. get on board

This is a painting for my series “The Sound of the ‘L’.” The series is a love letter to Chicago’s elevated train system. This painting captures the view down Argyle Street to the Argyle Red Line stop. I made this painting on location, but modified the current view, adding the “Asia on Argyle” signage and a a Chinese pagoda on the platform canopy, which were both removed as part of the renovation to this station. This street and station are sentimental to me because soon after moving to Chicago I lived in an apartment that was nearby and I frequently walked to Argyle and the Argyle “L” station. And, now I am once again a proud Uptown resident and happy to be able to enjoy frequent visits to Argyle. Today I was delighted to do some of my sketching while chatting with my sister in the window of and some of my painting from the patio at while enjoying a banh mi (love the veggie avocado) — a tour of culinary delights!

Jimmy Wong and later Charlie Soo, championed this area, in the 60s and 70s, as an enclave of Chinese, Vietnamese, Lao, Cambodian, and Japanese businesses. As a result, the neighborhood has been nicknamed New Chinatown, Little Saigon, or Little Vietnam. More recently, Hac Tran and Jennifer Pham have founded a community focused nonprofit looking to enhance Uptown’s Asian business and culture, which includes a community space, a business incubator and programs for the public. I love Argyle and hope that it will remain a vital corridor for culture and community for many years to come. ❤️

This series of paintings will capture views of “L” stations that are at the heart of a neighborhood like this one, historic “L” stations and views from “L” stations. The paintings will show in November 2024. Opening Reception on November 15th!

09/12/2024

firecat projects welcomes of next exhibition opening friday september 27. diane thodos will be presenting her world of images and beautiful prints. please join us at firecat projects, 2019 north damen on friday ,september 27th, from 7 to 10pm.

06/07/2024

leo had a couple of hard nights at the ball park. he sought some respite at the hall afterwards. to a certain degree ,yes. towards the end of the first of two games against the home town rivals a fan walked by him in passing commented, 'how's it going ,old timer?' leo was taken back by this. he knows he has little tread on his tires but was surprised by the comment. 'i walk 15000 steps every game. this guy was struggling getting back to his seat.' the games themselves he can't talk about in this forum. 'both the hall and ball park are very nervous about social media. folks are being asked to leave based on their public opinions' at the hall the issue according to hum is tourists. they have returned in droves. from all over the world. he says he has reverted to using universal hand gestures while explaining as well as listening carefully. part of the job he signed up foe=r and frankly he enjoys interacting with people from all over the world. it is just exhausting for hours at a time. luckily the season at the hall ends at the end of the month and he can have a few days off on ocassion. people always ask both of us why we work so much. his story is more difficult to explained. tired into unexpected financial and personal difficulties that left him scambling to stay afloat. for me my parents had rather low thoughts on my prospects since i insisted on a life in the arts. my father drummedinto me around nine years old, 'that if you aren't working you are wasting time'. multiple jobs all the time my whole life. it is like putting one';s shirt on in the morning. though i have had some setbacks in my time nothing approaching the depths of my parents years. but the future is cloudy at best. my time for grief and disappointment might be around the corner. need to keep engaged and curious al the time. one day the sun wom't be smiling when it comes up.

03/28/2024

firecat is happy to have its walls graced with the new paintings by liz martino. the opening will be this friday 7 to 10 at 2019 noirth damen. we were very fortunate to have her work via the inspiration corporation art fundraiser. they are helping others in ways you never realize. for me the chance to have this exhibition at firecat was a kiss from the skies