Le Art at Le Thrift ~ Le Thrift Consignment

Friday, October 10, 2014

Le Art at Le Thrift

The West Town Chamber of Commerce, Dovetail and Seek Vintage hosted the West Town Art Walk celebrating art within West Town’s shops, businesses, restaurants, and bars. The annual event was held on October 3rd and 4th. Attendees enjoyed art, music and fashion from Chicago artists.

It was very special for Le Thrift Consignment to participate in the Art Walk. Being an artist herself, Christine is a long-time supporter of the arts and local artists. Le Thrift Consignment showcased the work of artists Jorie Gillis, Valerie Kahan, Zoe Sanderson and Christine Sanderson. Shoppers and art enthusiasts enjoyed wine, art pieces and fabulous fashion at special event prices.

Christine Sanderson

Christine Sanderson started her career as a painter in the mid 90’s exhibiting her work in the Chicago club scene with a group that dubbed themselves as the “Jetset Artists.” Fast forward to present-day and her life has changed dramatically becoming a mother and business owner of Le Thrift an upscale consignment boutique in West Town, Chicago.

Her style is figurative and modern with a combination of oil and spray paint. Each painting portrays vivid color and surrealism. She strives for each painting to have a unique style. Christine has titled two of her current series “Pop Figurative” illustrating modern people in an urban landscape and “Frenetic Energy” which is a mix of color and texture defining the energies that flow from day to day life.

Christine has won several awards and has been featured in various art shows, products, television shows and movies.

2005: Winner of Live Art - Gen Art competition. First featured artist for solo Chicago show. Featured on limited edition tins for Camel Cigarettes.
2006: Mural project for Carl Schurtz High School students granted by the Oppenheimer Foundation.
2007: Featured in solo show at the W Hotels for their W Happenings Series for artists in Chicago and Dallas.
2008: Featured in Artists Project in 2008 at the Merchandise Mart
2008: Featured by Asahi Beer on their website www.asahibeerusa.com for their national ad campaign, “Rising Sun.”
2009: Sponsored by RIGHT Gin for their Artist series for solo Chicago show at the RIGHT Loft
2011: Featured artist at the Official Art Chicago After Party by Factio Magazine at the EnV Lofts
2011: Featured in the independent movie, "Einstein's God Model" in 2011 Sundance Film Festival
2012: Two of her abstract pieces were on the set of Chicago Mob Wives.

You can see Christine's work at www.ChristineSanderson.com.

Art by Valerie Kahan

Valerie Kahan is a Chicago-based artist and resides in Rodgers Park with her husband Colin, two children Henry & Samantha and their dog Cassie. Her mediums span from photography, painting, drawing to mixed media design and print making. She has been showing her work throughout Chicago and producing large benefit gallery group shows for the last 10+ years.

All art is available for sale. Many have sold, in their place high quality limited edition prints are available in a variety of sizes. Original wood prints of many pieces are also available. Commission pieces are available, any subject, medium and size. Contact Valerie at (773) 616-8277 or valkahan@gmail.com.

Jorie Gillis

Jorie Gillis is a Creative Director and Visual Artist born and raised in Chicago. She works as a creative freelancer for strategic marketing and advertising agencies. As a visual artist, Jorie's specialties include painting, drawing and photography. Her paintings may be described as abstract visceral experiences. She uses oils, acrylic, crayons, wax and "anything else that feels right". Layering, scraping, and pushing the boundaries of the media help organically shape her work. Jorie's photography is a side effect from being an involuntary keen observer. Much of her work comes from her travels throughout the years, as well as her desire to share her love for her hometown.

After beating cancer in the summer of 2012, Jorie founded a not for profit organization, The Arts of Courage Project, ACP. ACP's mission is to create an empowering opportunity for cancer survivors to express themselves artistically. They seek to showcase the many facets of survivorship and the courage it takes to express oneself in such a way. They strive to give back to the tremendous community of survivors by leading by example, with courage. They believe: art creates dialogue, dialogue instigates ideas, ideas produce knowledge, knowledge is power, and power breeds courage. ACP produces an annual event that showcases artists’ donated works of art through a silent auction. Funds raised at the event are then donated to charitable organizations affiliated with survivor assistance.

Zoe Sanderson

Zoe Sanderson is the daughter of Le Thrift Consignment Boutique's owner and artist Christine Sanderson. She presented two pieces at the West Town Art Walk, her second art event. Zoe is 12 years old and has been painting for five years. Her art influences include Avril Levine and fashion magazines.

Zoe Sanderson with her mom Christine in the mirror reflection :)

All artists bios are from their respective websites. For more information about the Art Walk businesses and artists, visit the West Town Art Walk website. The art pieces at Le Thrift will be available for purchase throughout the month of October. 25% of the artists' sales was be donated to Breast Cancer Awareness. For more information, contact Le Thrift at info@lethrift.com.