One Can Dream #243

For this current One Can Dream collection, the inspiration has come from the many layers of city life he can see from his art studio windows. Located on the top floor of a historic sixth story warehouse in the Ravenswood neighborhood in Chicago, he has full views of the entire city and everything else for miles and miles. As crazy and hectic city life can be, there are so many layers that can be pulled back to expose the real sense of the surroundings. He finds that there is a beautiful sense of peace at various times of the day and tries to capture that feeling and emotion with his work. He uses a combination of acrylic paints and mixed media to build up layers and textures. A variety of materials are used such as recycled wood fibers, shredded paperwork, industrial staples, plaster, metal washers and beach sand from his family cottage in Ontario and here from the beaches of Chicago. He applies every layer of texture and color by hand without the use of paint brushes or palette knives.