Category Archives: Blogs

Check back often for updates, new artists, art and random musings by Sarah & Lisa!

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Sacred Art

Help us save lives through art.  With each purchase of a heart painting, 100% goes directly to the American Heart Association.  Each of the canvases is $50 and we need your help to raise as much as possible for the #1 cause of death within the nation- heart disease. Local artist, Christine Olson was commissioned to create these heart paintings and they are darling.  :] We can ship anywhere too!  Give the gift of life and love all month long.  Check out our events page for our heart healthy party at the end of the month too!  Thanks!!

Posted in Blogs, Default
Posted on June 8, 2011 by Sacred Art

There’s something about Nikki Scheel’s photography that gets me everytime.  It’s brilliantly created with fascinating imagery, infused colors and filters and made with interweaving layers of time and love too. For me, her work can take you to a place of nostalgia.  childhood. happiness.  She captures the moments of peace- of that brief second when you realize “wow. everything’s alright. i’m… fine.”  It’s a beautiful moment to experience and one that comes when you least expect it- so just continue waiting if you haven’t had one yet. it’s worth it. :] The moment may not last long, but the memory of having that moment sticks and it says something about how life can be so transient and wonderful and evolving!  I think back to this time two years ago, and my life was completely different and taking place in a whole different city too.  Nikki’s photography reminds me that life needs to be experienced and that there’s so many good things out there that just need to be discovered, happened upon, sought after.  Her work is gorgeous.   At one point she told me about how she spends countless hours on each of her photographs, making them to be a perfectly delicate balance of light, color, filters and all the other layers that make up each image.  This amazes me because it’s like you’re getting that time and love and effort that a painter would put into a painting, that a ceramic artist would put into the clay they are molding, that a printmaker puts into the design and inking of each print.  With each image, you can be sure that it is uniquely beautiful- original in ideas and perfect in imagery.  I hope that you’ll stop by the shop and look through her work- these should definitely be experienced in person! :] Check out some of her images below:

Check out her page on our site for more of her work.  Oh and by the way, this website that you’re looking at- she designed it along with her partner, Joe: www.twodesigngurus.com.

Thanks! :]

L

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Posted on May 25, 2011 by Sacred Art

I know every local business must say this, but we have some of the best customers!!  Yesterday, a regular customer of ours came in to give me a mix CD to play for the store- how amazing is that?  I’m listening to track 4 (Fleet Foxes’ Helplessness Blues) and trying not to show too much excitement, but that’s really just not working! :]

Sometimes, another regular of ours comes in to talk about the artwork we have here and we’ll have conversations about specific artists, their style of creating, the colors they use and what the artist is all about.  The other day he bought some artwork by an artist that we’ve been talking about for a while- it was awesome.

Other times, some of our regulars come in just to say hi, look around and have a good conversation.  More often than not, they’ll leave with an awesome piece of artwork or a hand-painted robot bank, or a great new jewelry piece.

Sarah and I will say this everyday: We’re so lucky to have customers like you guys- people who are genuine and care about supporting artists and local businesses like Sacred Art.  We can’t say it enough, but THANK YOU!!!

(and now I’m listening to Track 6 of Oasis’ “Don’t Look Back in Anger” and it’s oh so good.)

L :]

Posted in Blogs
Posted on May 22, 2011 by Sacred Art

You probably didn’t already know this, but I (Lisa) actually have a personal artsy blog that I write at as well on the occasion.  My last post was all about Shawn Stucky’s artwork and I want to share it with you- on this blog- as well.  I love Shawn’s work so much and it’s so exciting to have it here at Sacred Art.  Check out his works in person because they are just.that.beautiful. and his pieces are all original silkscreens, so when a print runs out- it’s quite possible that it’s gone for good!  

————

A Storybook of Dreams:

I have this reccurring nightmare that I’m back in school. Usually high school (sometimes middle school) and I can’t figure out how to get to my classes… I can never remember what room they are in, so I just end up not going.  Then at the end of the year I get my grades and I realize that I’ve been failing all of these courses that I haven’t attended.   For good reason of course… in my dream I’ve missed every test, paper, homework assignment and participation grade I could possibly get.

In last night’s dream I found myself staring at my report card, blacking out with a sharpie all of the courses that I could possibly pawn off as “…I didn’t realize that I was registered for that course and therefore that’s why I never went.” It was stressful.

I finally woke up, like I do after every one of these dreams, re-realizing and reassuring myself that I indeed already passed middle school, already passed high school and did indeed graduate college. I tell myself, “I don’t have to worry about math class anymore- I don’t need to do homework. I’m fine. It’s ok.”

There’s a Chicago artist that features his artwork at Sacred Art and his work just blows me away.  His pieces are all original silkscreens.  The artist, Shawn Stucky, is red/green colorblind and so he has learned to rely more on value than on color.  He mixes certain colors to experiment with them and find the right one for what his mind is imagining- his color palettes are gorgeous.  He finds inspiration in music and in dreams.  Unlike my dreams (which can be dark and stress inducing sometimes), his are inspiring and filled with beauty.  He uses his own lucid dreams and what he calls “silent film animations” to create a brand new world where the boundaries are limitless.  The artist has described this process of inspiration as ”quietly lurking in that mysterious space between waking-life and dreams, hiding in plain sight. As I fall asleep, I sometimes have what I call ‘silent film animations’. These silent films play in a stop-motion fashion behind my eyelids. I see them vividly. The imagery ranges from children playing on swing sets to odd looking elderly men spinning chairs above their heads. Once I became aware of these films I began to consciously collect the imagery in my mind to later reproduce in my art.”

My boyfriend, Sean (note the different spelling) and I have started a little collection of his works in our apartment. When Sean looks at artwork he relates it to music.  There’s an artist that reminds him of the band Caribou, for example.  When Sean looks at these silkscreens, he hears the music of Sigur Ros.  Which I love because not only does Sigur Ros hold a special place in my heart, but the artist actually bases some of his artwork off of their music as well.  Through talking with the artist, I learned that Sigur Ros actually has 10 of his prints in their studio.  For me, it can’t get better than this… beautiful original silkscreens, lucid dreams and the music of Sigur Ros. 

Perfect- simply perfect. 

Shawn has a page on our website as well, so check this out too. 

Thanks! We hope to see you soon!

Lisa :]

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Posted on May 17, 2011 by Sacred Art

 

There is a local grassroots initiative that is doing some really great things with art and social change in the city.  Buy Art Not People started off with a fundraising event which took place this past December.  The event was a hit and was able to raise awareness, funds and other resouces for organizations against Human Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery.  Modern day slavery is defined as “People forced to work without pay, under threat of violence and unable to walk away.”  There are over 27 million men, women and children in slavery today- more than at any other time in history.  It blows my mind everyday that this is going on- that it’s so hidden and that yes, it is even happening in Chicago.  I’ve been aware of this issue for a few years now, but I never imagined that I (as an artist) could do something to help.  Well, it turns out artists CAN do something.  We can make change happen and we can do it through our artwork. 

Buy Art Not People (BANP) is now a sustaining local initiative that engages artists to create and/or sell artwork, wherein proceeds go to anti-human trafficking organizations that are making a difference. 

There’s a BRAND NEW Call For Artists out right now and it’s open to all Chicago artists, crafters, friends, and community members with a heart for social change.  So, that means you.  Sacred Art is helping out with this event and hey, if you sign up- it will give you another reason to stop into the store and see what’s new (because there’s ALWAYS something new).

Entries are due by July 1st. Please sign up today and start creating social change! The event will take place this upcoming July 22nd, so mark your calendars and check back for more updates soon! Check out BANP’s website:  www.buyartnotpeople.org.

Thanks,

Lisa :)

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Posted on April 20, 2011 by Sacred Art

So, this is our new website and we freaking love it.  We have to give major props to Two Design Gurus for setting us up with this amazing gift.  They so.totally.rock and you must check out their newly formed business for your web designing needs!  Sacred Art has gone through many changes since first opening- websites, locations, and artists.  Through it all though, we’ve been able to support independent artists, the local Chicago economy and provide a relaxed environment for those walking through our door. Like 2Pac & Bruce Hornsby would say-that’s just the way it is. ;]

If you didn’t already know, Sacred Art now has over 100 artists featured at the shop and we couldn’t be happier!  We love being able to keep our inventory vibrant and new for our customers (regulars and newbies alike)!  It blows my mind sometimes that we’ve been able to keep things so fresh- each week we’re either bringing in new artists or getting new shipments from our veteran artists.  Sometimes, I’ll stop, look around the store and say to myself (yeah, I talk to myself) “wow, the store looks totally different than it did three weeks ago!”  Sacred Art is such a fun place to spend time in, I’m excited when people choose to spend their time/lunch break/whathaveyou browsing through art and treating themselves to some creative inspiration while doing so.  It is SUCH a treat, as well, to be able to sell a piece of artwork to someone who appreciates it and needs to have it for their house, office, or even for a friend.  Both Sarah and I get butterflies when a customer purchases their very first piece of art and we feel honored that they would choose to do that at Sacred Art.  Finally, we’re incredibly thankful that we can provide a place for artists to sell their work and continue to grow their artistry.

Thank you to ALL of our customers, artists, friends and neighboring businesses who have supported us along the way!  We look forward to continuing to bring a fantastic selection of original artwork and handmade accessories to the neighborhood- we hope you’ll stop in and see what’s new often!!

-Lisa :]

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Posted on July 3, 2010 by Sacred Art

Since our opening day in 2006, we have represented around 40 artists and always felt good about it. We have grown in so many ways throughout the years. We have decided to expand our collection and add about 60 more to make 100 artists! We will be celebrating this fact on Thursday, July 15th from 6pm-9pm. Come on by and mingle with our veteran and new talent. We have also branched out and included some out of town talent. Our printmaking section is larger than ever, we have more home goods and accessories, and the jewelry is prettier than ever. We are so excited for this transition and sure hope to see you there.

In order to make room for the additional artwork we have had to make some changes with our framing program. Our expert framer CPF Services is now working out of a beautiful storefront space just blocks away. Please go visit them at 4428 North Ravenswood. Mention Sacred Art sent you and receive a generous friends and family discount.

Posted in Blogs
Posted on March 30, 2010 by Sacred Art

Hey everyone! We have now been in Lincoln Square for over a year now. Have we seen you lately? Come check out our not so new location. We have some really great artists showcased right now!

We are just loving being in such a vibrant neighborhood such as Lincoln Square. Come say hi and see what all the buzz is about in this great area of Chicago!

There are really great shops and restaurants to visit. It is the best strolling neighborhood on a sunny(or rainy) day!

Posted in Blogs