West Town Artwalk - Meet Chicago Artist Layne Jackson

Le Thrift Consignment is excited to be a part of West Town Art Walk and Food Truck Social this weekend. The Artwalk will take place this Friday, November 30th from 5 to 10 pm and Saturday, October 1st  from 12 to 6 pm in the West Town Neighborhood. We will be hosting the amazingly talented, Layne Jackson with her latest works of art at the boutique.

Having been a long fascinated with Layne's work, I wanted to share with you more about the artist that is living and working in the Ukranian Village neighborhood of Chicago.

For the West Town Art Walk 2016, the artist is exhibiting large scale paintings.

What childhood influences do you think shaped the way to you becoming an artist? How did you find your calling as an artist?

One of my childhood friends' father was a well known race car painter. He seemed to have a good life and got to sit in his studio with all of that color around.  I would venture in and always loved the smell of the turpentine and oil paint

What type of style would best describe your work?

Narrative

What type of work are you currently working on?

After twenty years of large images focused on figures in interiors and exterior
environments, and working and teaching in public studios, a move last year back to my 

 New Botanical Nature Drawings + Paintings - http://www.laynejackson.com/walking-libraries

private studio is yielding new work that is small and exploratory, painting the natural world around me, called Walking Libraries. 

Who are your favorite creative people? 

Paula Rego (painter), Martuis (botanical painter), Mary Lou Williams (pianist/composer), Werner Herzog (director)

What is your favorite Chicago place to go? 

I love Millennium Park and go every chance I have. Love to hear music in the Pavilion and the new Maggie Daley park is terrific. The Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art is a rare and amazing museum, and their very strong support base makes thei shows powerful and diverse. A treasure! And I will take a cocktail at Mott Street any day

What is your favorite part of being an artist in Chicago?

Chicago is an great place to work in the arts--an abundance of research and opportunities and a strong coalition of talented and professional people. There is strong support and a wealth of ideas for collaboration.

Prints at Special Art Walk Prices - http://www.laynejackson.com/buy-prints/

What are your plans with your artwork for the future?

The new direction is exciting and am pursuing ideas that have been in sketchbooks and my head for many years. Currently am planning a series of Walking Libraries that identify different areas, printable as books, and enlarged in scale for public art work.

What piece of advice can you offer to budding artists that would help them grow?

 Only you have your voice and there should be nothing that stops you. Work on something everyday. It's not original to me, but I will say 'Be Yourself, Everything else is Taken'.

Where can people find your work online? (Ex: Instagram handle, blog, web site)

INSTAGRAM

https://www.instagram.com/laynejacksondesigns/

WEBSITE

www.laynejackson.com

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.

1821 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago IL 60622
(312) 912-9676
Chicago's top upscale consignment boutique.

Le Thrift @ West Town Art Walk

Join Le Thrift Consignment Boutique at the

West Town Art Walk

October 3-4, 2014

Friday / 5pm - 8pm | Saturday / 11am - 8pm

Le Thrift Consignment will be presenting the work of artists Jorie Gillis, Valerie Kahan and Christine Sanderson at the West Town Art Walk. Enjoy wine from 5-9 pm, amazing art pieces and fabulous fashion at special event prices. Admission is FREE. 25% of the artists' sales will be donated to The Arts of Courage Project.

10% off premium designer items

15% off regular priced items

Extra 10% off sale items

West Town Art Walk

The West Town Chamber of Commerce, Dovetail and Seek Vintage are hosting the annual West Town Art Walk. The event celebrates art in all forms: visual, musical, culinary and otherwise - within shops along Chicago Avenue (between Milwaukee/Ogden and Oakley).

Established in 2011, the West Town Art Walk is an annual event organized by West Town business owners to celebrate our diverse community of businesses while highlighting Chicago artists. During this Friday & Saturday event, attendees can enjoy visual art, music, and fashion from Chicago artists all showcased within West Town’s shops, businesses, restaurants, and bars.

Art by Valerie Kahan

Valerie Kahan is a Chicago based artist and resides in Rodgers Park with her husband Colin, 2 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 home town. 

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. 

Proceeds from the West Town Art Walk at LeThrift will be donated to these entities. ACP's next event is slated for Saturday evening, November 29, 2014 at The Frontier in West Town. Please go to artsofcourageproject.com or facebook/theartsofcourageproject to learn more.

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” which illustrates modern people in an urban landscape and “Frenetic Energy” which is a mix of color and texture that defines the energies that flow from day to day life.

In 2005, Christine won the first Live Art - Gen Art competition to be the first featured artist in Chicago with a solo show. Her artwork was featured on limited edition tins for Camel Cigarettes. In 2006 she was just invited to create a mural project for Carl Schurtz High School students granted by the Oppenheimer Foundation.

In 2007, her work was featured as a solo show at the W Hotels for their W Happenings Series for artists in Chicago and Dallas. She also was invited to show her work at the Artists Project in 2008 at the Merchandise Mart. In 2008 Christine’s artwork was recognized by Asahi Beer and was featured on their web site www.asahibeerusa.com for their national ad campaign, “Rising Sun.”

Quickly following this, Christine was then sponsored by RIGHT Gin for their Artist series in 2009 for a solo show in Chicago at the RIGHT Loft. In 2011 Christine was a featured artist at the Official Art Chicago After Party by Factio Magazine at the EnV Lofts in Chicago.

Her work was also featured in the independent movie, "Einstein's God Model" in 2011 Sundance Film Festival. In 2012, two of her abstract pieces were on the set of Chicago Mob Wives. You can see Christine's work at www.ChristineSanderson.com.

All artists bios are from their respective websites. For more information about the businesses, artists, events and specials, visit the West Town Art Walk website.

1821 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago IL 60622
(312) 912-9676
Chicago's top upscale consignment boutique.