http://www.sulzenfineartstudio.com/

Sulzen Fine Art Studio, Chicago, IL (2026)

06/30/2026

"Garden Gate"
The Neighborhood 2
Artist Reception
Friday, July 3
6-8pm

Now on view at PRISM Spaces, a coworking space located at the corners of Milwaukee, Division, and Ashland in Wicker Park.
1212 N. Ashland
2nd FL.

Curated by Savanna Rita, this show explores Chicago and the themes of summertime in the neighborhood.

"Neighborhood 2" is a continuation from last year on this motif and showcases work of local artists with their interpretations of summer in the city.

PRISM Spaces is a coworking community space planted in a neighborhood filled with creatives, small businesses, and people eager to get to work!

Savanna Rita is a photographer and curator. Her curatorial work focuses on the local art ecosystem in Chicago, bridging artists with unique spaces to exhibit their work.

Friday, July 3rd, an Artist Reception will take place at PRISM, allowing visitors a look into this unique environment for working while viewing artwork that enlivens this interior.

The management and staff at PRISM are always very welcoming and excited to support artists and their work.

I will be in attendance, along with my husband Dan Zamudio, who is a photographer also exhibiting in this group show.

"Garden Gate" (36inx24in) is an oil on canvas and available for purchase along with "Empty Lot" (36inx24in), and "Rentals" (18inx24in).

The event is FREE and open to the public.

Hope to see you there!

06/26/2026

“Santa's Star Jet”
Sculpture & Works On Paper Exhibit
Friday, June 26
Reception: 6-9pm

Palette & Chisel Academy Of Fine Arts
1012 N. Dearborn
Chicago

“Santa's Star Jet” is a watercolor on paper (140lb).
Image size- 7.75in x 4.75in (14inx11in framed).

Santa's Village and summer!

A favorite place for me as a kid and I was lucky enough to be able to visit as an adult.

When I was merely a child, I might have ridden in Santa's Star Jet, helping Santa test out modern modes of transporting gifts in the 1970s.

Obviously, Santa needs to test these planes every summer to make sure they run properly come December.

A volunteer (my son) takes the old jet for a flight run in the mid-2000s at Santa's Village in East Dundee, Illinois.

"Santa's Star Jet" (the painting) will be on view from June 26-July 5th, at the Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Arts.

I will be in attendance at the reception tonight (6/26), which is FREE and Open to the Public.

Images are of the full painting and details of the brushwork, closeups of the beautiful grounds of Santa's summer home right here in Illinois.

06/25/2026

“Batman”
Sculpture & Works On Paper Exhibit
Friday, June 26
Palette & Chisel
Reception: 6-9pm

1012 N. Dearborn, in Chicago.
The Opening Reception is Friday 6/26, 6pm-9pm.

“Batman” is a watercolor on Bristol paper (148lb).
Image size- 6.75in x 10.5in (12inx16in framed).

Years ago when I was studying under the master printmaker BettyAnn Mocek, she encouraged students to really “push it all the way” when an artwork had failed.

The idea was to continue working on the project and experiment, have fun, and see what happens to a piece when it has not turned out the way one had originally planned.

She explained that maybe an interesting new artwork will emerge, or maybe you will learn some valuable lessons in the process.

I started “Batman” several years ago and abandoned it almost immediately because I had overworked it soon after I laid the brush to paper!

I accidentally abused the paper, tearing fibers by rubbing and wiping off paint.
I used too small of brushes for larger shapes, in effect “saying too much” in areas.
I had too many layers of paint which showed my lack of planning.

The piece was a mess.

There were some elements about the painting that I liked so I did not want to merely throw it away…

However, I was very disappointed.

I put the watercolor to bed in a folder.

With a recent “call for art” for the Sculpture and Works on Paper show, I decided to find that folder and wake up that experiment in watercolors from years ago.

Could I “push it all the way”, as Mocek would instruct?

Where to begin?

Were there any redeeming qualities?

There was a likeness to my daughter, who I used as a reference.
There were some nice loose washes I had left alone.

There was the idea of getting out of my comfort zone with oil painting and trying watercolors again.

There was a challenge and an experiment.

I played.

The painting is still “overworked,” but I like it more now.

I had fun.

“Batman” will be on view from June 26-July 5th, 2026.

I will be in attendance at the reception (FREE and Open to the Public)!

06/09/2026

June 9th!

The Whistler
2421 N Milwaukee Ave
6PM

I am excited to have 2 images included in the SPRING ISSUE of the Milwaukee Avenue Messenger, a “quarterly arts and literary journal that celebrates and serves the vibrant communities and independent DIY artistic tradition of Chicago’s Milwaukee Avenue corridor.”

"Thaw"- drypoint
"Miss Geri's"- drypoint

Milwaukee Avenue Messenger is hosting an event to highlight the creatives who are featured in this season’s publication.

Readings and images will be showcased at The Whistler in Chicago, whose website explains is “a bar, gallery, record label, and venue that hosts live music and DJs seven nights a week. Our award‑winning cocktail program features an always‑changing menu of classics, contemporary favorites, and Whistler originals.”

If you have never been, or have not in a while, head there tonight to support the artistic community by listening to some readings, check out this issue’s images, and enjoy a beverage at a Chicago icon, The Whistler.

You can also buy and savor this latest issue of Milwaukee Avenue Messenger!

Doors open at 6 PM.

Live jazz at 9 PM.

Unfortunately, I will not be in attendance, as I teach on Tuesday nights.

However, I have enjoyed this journal, have been able to attend this event in the past, and can attest to the wonderful spirit of the celebration!

This is a great way to spend a Tuesday evening (unless, of course, you are attending a class with me!).

You can also catch my work, among others, in the issue online at: https://www.milwaukeeavenuemessenger.com/vol2-no2/drypoints-sulzen

Cheers!

06/03/2026

Thursday Night Out!

June 4th!
Oak Park, IL

Join me this Thursday for the first TNO of 2026 in Oak Park, Illinois!

Thursday Night Out is a popular dine-around series along Marion Street between Lake and North Boulevard.

Restaurants offer a TNO menu that encourages being outside and gathering with friends and family on beautiful summer nights.

Food, Live Music, and Friends!

Presented by the Downtown Oak Park Business Alliance, this series kicks off this Thursday June 4th.

Check out ThursdayNightOut.com for details!

My artwork is featured at Cross Function, just past the tracks and to the east on South Boulevard (1033 South Boulevard) in Oak Park.

Come around 5pm, just as the night begins, to say hello, see some original artwork, and check out an incredible space that is Cross Function in the renovated Boulevard Arcade Building.

You can see the beautifully restored interior communal spaces that are currently showcasing work from photographer Dan Zamudio (my husband) and my original oil paintings.

Dan and I will be on hand as the night begins to chat about our work, what we are currently working on, and our excitement for an incredible Summer 2026.

Thursday Night Out is from 5-9pm on June 4th.
Cross Function will only be open around the kick-off to the night's festivities.

Don't miss it!

Hope to see you there-

05/21/2026

"Lake Life"
oil on canvas
36in x 36in

Summer.

A sunset over a lake.

This particular scene (a commission) comes from the state of Michigan but showcases the lake Illinois knows well- Lake Michigan.

Although the view from "our" side of the water has sunrises that invigorate, the opposite view can offer different kinds of emotion with a sunset.

Sunsets equate memory, looking back, and recognition for the passage of time.

This upcoming long weekend we celebrate the "unofficial" start of summer and on Memorial Day we mourn the lives of our military personnel who died in service to our country.

Cookouts, picnics, laughter, and fun will be abundant if the weather allows.

Appreciation and sorrowful remembrances will also be in the forecast.

Sunsets are visually compelling.

They can evoke delight and pleasure, as well as contemplation and remembrance.

Wishing you a joyful, as well as reverent, holiday weekend.

05/19/2026

5 Weeks!
Tuesdays
Starting May 26

Oak Park Art League
720 Chicago Avenue
Oak Park, IL

Spring 3 Session
Dates:
May 26
June 2, 9, 16, 23

www.oakparkartleague.org
https://www.oakparkartleague.org/adult-classes

I am excited to share the news of added classes on Tuesdays in Oak Park!

Two different sessions for my exploring oil painting classes and an early evening session for some basic 2D (two dimensional) art discovery.

The new afternoon sessions will only be added for a short time during the late Spring and early Summer months.

Check out Oak Park Art League's website for more info!

www.oakparkartleague.org
https://www.oakparkartleague.org/adult-classes

03/12/2026

Art Reception:
This Saturday!
March 14th
1-3pm

Oak Park Art League
Carriage House Gallery
720 Chicago Avenue
Oak Park, IL

I am happy to be a part of this showcase of instructors and students of OPAL!

For the past few years, I have been teaching oil painting at this lovely artists' location in Oak Park, Illinois.

My aim with instruction is to encourage students to enjoy the process of working with such a versatile medium as oil paint.

We work from life in the OPAL studio, using the still life and developing skills of observation and practicing the handling of oil paint.

Some students move on to working from photographs and my aim is to help guide them in creating their unique visions on canvas or panels.

Such a pleasure it is to see the growth of painters!

How nice it is to get to know people and their passions, be it travel, pets, kids and grandkids!

I look forward to being a part of their explorations in art.

Nestled among tall trees and budding flowers, the Carriage House Gallery will be a lovely spot to visit on a Saturday afternoon for an artists' reception.

Come chat with some of OPAL's art instructors, see the studio space where students work on their projects, chat with me about upcoming classes, enjoy the company of fellow artists, and delight in works locally created.

All in one place!

I hope to see you at the reception!

Paintings shown by Julie Sulzen:
"Corner Symphony"
40"x 30"
"Park Tree"
14"x11"

OPAL Student Showcase runs Mar 13 - April 5, 2026
Stop by and see the show during gallery hours:
Thursday - Friday 1-5pm,
Saturday 10am-4pm,
Sunday 1-4pm

EXHIBITING ARTISTS
Julie Sulzen, Jesse Howard,
Jacqueline Rueckert Lakely,
Dave Ottens, Sandra Ferguson,
Margaret Jenny, David Gulyas,
Sarah Greenwell, Lisa Ridolfi,
Jim Sweitzer, Susy Chan,
Debbie Becker, Kinga Banas-Zadlo,
Karen Mansfield, Alice Tulley,
Anne Gelau, Simedar Jackson,
Bridget Killian, Philip O'Donnell

03/12/2026

Artists Reception
Palette & Chisel
this Friday!
6-9pm

1012 N. Dearborn
March 13th

Join me as I help the Palette & Chisel celebrate its Artist Members with the annual Gold Medal Show.

Palette & Chisel
Academy of Fine Arts
1012 N. Dearborn
Chicago, IL

My oil painting "No Parking Anytime" will be on view.

Come out for a casual evening of art appreciation and vote for your favorite piece in the Viewer's Choice category.

Only Artist Members can vote for the Gold Medal Winner, but it will be a pleasant evening to be inside this beautiful, historic building on Dearborn in the Gold Coast neighborhood of Chicago.

FREE admission!

Although I generally do not enter art competitions, for me this Gold Medal Show is about showcasing the talent of P&C Artist Members and a way for me to support this unique academy.

As a professional artist, I use my membership to attend open studio sessions and build my skills of drawing and painting from life with live models.

This tradition of working from life helps to keep my painting skills sharp and aids in my work from photographs.

Even though my work's main focus is on the landscape, maintaining my practice of "seeing" is of upmost importance in the creation of my art.

The Palette & Chisel is more than an academy; it is a place for professional artists to gather and practice honing their craft. It is a unique place for serious artists to work outside of their studio.

At the P&C, I enjoy working next to colleagues, appreciate the camaraderie of creatives, engage in shop talk with masters of the craft, and celebrate the work of my fellow artists.

Please join me on Friday as we celebrate together!

The Gold Medal Show will run from March 6 to 15.

Join us for the Awards Reception on Friday, March 13 from 6 to 9 pm.

1012 N. Dearborn Street
Chicago, IL 60610

Office Hours:
Mon-Fri, 11:00am – 6:30pm

Phone: (312) 642 - 4400

Email: [email protected]

03/04/2026

"Flute Player"
Faculty Exhibit
Reception: Tomorrow!
March 5th, 5-8pm

Lillstreet Art Center
4401 N. Ravenswood Ave.
Chicago

My small oil painting "Flute Player" (14"x11") will be on exhibit in "Shaping Vision" until March 31st at Lillstreet Art Center.

Come and enjoy the works of other artists in the Drawing and Painting Department with a reception tomorrow evening from 5pm to 8pm.

Located in Chicago's Ravenswood neighborhood, Lillstreet is just east of where I grew up (in North Center) and a place I currently spend many Sundays over the course of a year!

At Lillstreet I instruct Beginning Painters the amazing medium of oil paints and encourage Intermediate Painters to explore that medium for its many splendid attributes.

"Flute Player" is a study that perfectly describes my methods of teaching and painting.

It is a quick study (done in about 2 hours), from life, using a very limited palette of 3 colors plus White.

I highly encourage working from life and learning to "see" your subjects.

I advise and focus on using Primary Colors plus White - keeping our palettes uncomplicated and straightforward.

I guide the student to study a basic Color Wheel to aid in mixing colors.

I keep supplies simple and inexpensive.

I do not believe we need a lot of equipment or materials to paint effectively!

Although this piece is not my usual subject matter, I wanted to use this artwork for the show as an example of the pure joy of direct painting.

My art training (education) was all about working from life.

I still paint the figure from life for my own pleasure and for professional development.

I have used that life training to follow my passion for painting landscape imagery and for introducing oils to many artists.

I will be in attendance at the reception tomorrow evening!

I am always happy to talk about the adventures of oil painting and the many ways in which we can explore the medium.

Hope to see you there!

Sulzen Fine Art Studio

06/30/2026

06/26/2026

06/25/2026

06/09/2026

06/03/2026

05/21/2026

05/19/2026

03/12/2026

03/12/2026

03/04/2026

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