http://www.sulzenfineartstudio.com/

Sulzen Fine Art Studio, Chicago, IL (2026)

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!

02/04/2026

“Puddle”
at CrossFunction
Oak Park, Illinois

This oil painting is currently hanging in the gorgeous entrance of CrossFunction, at the historic Boulevard Arcade in Oak Park.

“Puddle” is available for purchase.

As in my previous post about my “Railyard” piece, this artwork also greets employees (and visitors) at this coworking & private office space on South Boulevard.

The elegant staircase, tin ceiling, and mosaic tilework of this 1906 building will host this canvas for a few months. “Puddle” hangs alongside photographic works by my husband, Dan Zamudio (his image “Dangerous Innocence” hangs above my piece to the left).

“Puddle” (36”x48”) is a painting depicting what lies beneath an elevated train in Chicago.

Vision of Spring on this cold winter’s day?

01/28/2026

“Railyard”
at CrossFunction
Oak Park, Illinois

This oil painting is currently hanging in the gorgeous entrance of CrossFunction, at the historic Boulevard Arcade in Oak Park.

“Railyard” is available for purchase.

The artwork greets employees (and visitors) at this coworking & private office space on South Boulevard.

My piece will visit for a few months alongside photographic works by my husband, Dan Zamudio (his image “New Toys” hangs above my piece to the right).

The industrial feel of the painting complements the elegant staircase, tin ceiling, and mosaic tilework of this 1906 gem of a building.

Industry meets elegance.

“Railyard” (36”x48”) is a painting of a working railyard in Chicago.

That railyard is at the end-view of a repurposed old train line which is now a bike thoroughfare, dog-walking route, strolling promenade, skater lane, running track, and garden (Bloomingdale Trail/606).

CrossFunction at Boulevard Arcade of Oak Park sits alongside the currently working train lines for the Chicago Transit Authority’s Green Line and the Metra Union Pacific West (UP-W) Line.

More of my paintings are planned to work short-term at this location in the near future!

I look forward to “co-working” with this architectural beauty located in the Pleasant District of Oak Park, Illinois.

12/08/2025

THANK YOU!

"Thank You" to everyone who stopped by my Booth 1082 during the One of A Kind Holiday Show at The Mart this past Dec. 4-7!

The image is of the snowman I cut from paper to adorn the utility panel of my booth.

Inspiration strikes when the need arises…even for cut-paper works of art.

I want to say a heartfelt "Thank You" to the collectors who purchased my work (oil paintings…not cut paper)! Your support is amazing and appreciated!

"Thank You" to the people who sought me out to say hello because they remembered my work from last year’s OOAK Holiday Show.

"Thank You" to the visitors who felt compelled to step into the booth to look at the work.

"Thank You" to everyone who wanted to TALK about the work.

"Thank You" to artists who visited who shared their stories about the creative process.

"Thank You" to all my students who visited me this snowy weekend.

"Thank You" to the artists in the booths around me for your enthusiasm, camaraderie, and your inspiring work!

"Thank You" to OOAK25 and to THE MART for hosting creatives.

"Thank You" to my son & daughter who helped with the show.

"Thank You" especially to my husband, Dan Zamudio, who helped make it all possible!

"Thank YOU" for following my work on Instagram!

12/07/2025

Last Day!
Booth 1082
One of A Kind Holiday Show
Sunday Dec. 7, 10am-5pm

Come see this new piece today at The Mart!

“Night Water – Lake Michigan”
11in x 14in
oil on canvas panel

Inspired by a conversation I had with a new collector, “Night Water” started as a challenge of sorts.

As she was purchasing the painting “Autumn Puddles,” the client commented that I “paint dark paintings.” She caught my worried look as I glanced around at the walls of my studio and exclaimed, “In a good way, I like it!”

At first I thought she meant “dark” as in sad or dangerous.

She meant literally with a dark palette.

She was right.

Back at the easel afterwards, I wondered just how dark I could go.

In the pile of the “to do” reference images I had on hand, there was a photo of a sunset over Lake Michigan I had taken over a year ago, from the Michigan side of the lake, not the Illinois side.

I remembered how cool it was watching the last light of that day sink below the horizon.

This snapshot was perfect for my new challenge.

Also, I could explore my current obsession with Phthalo Blue!

The result was the little painting “Night Water- Lake Michigan,” a title I knew even before I started painting.

I am extremely happy with how this one turned out!

The pink clouds and yellow sky keep this piece from being totally “black” and adds a wonderful abstract element to the piece. Lighter strokes suggest low hanging clouds, crests of a couple of waves, and part of the beach.

An unintentionally inspiring comment from a collector becomes a satisfying experiment in oils.

Thanks, Collector Peggy!

To see this little painting and other new pieces, head to Booth 1082 at The Mart, 222 West Merchandise Mart in Chicago, for the last day of this show.

I hope to see you there!

12/04/2025

One of A Kind Holiday!
at THE MART
Booth 1082

Dec 4- 7, 2025
Th. - Sat. 10am- 7pm
Sun. 10am- 5pm

An image of my Wednesday-Night Booth Shot (set-up day!).
A few more tweaks yet to do and excited to get the show started!

Head over to THE MART, 222 W. Merchandise Mart, for the Holiday show and sale from hundreds of artists and creators.

I will be in Booth 1082 with some new oil paintings fresh off the easel.

I have also curated a collection of work focused on lots of color for your enjoyment, or purchase possibilities. I am looking forward to seeing new and familiar faces.

I hope to see you there!

07/29/2025

This Friday, 8/1!

Artist Reception
6-8pm
PRISM Spaces
1212 N. Ashland #202

I am excited to be a part of the summer-themed show "The Neighborhood" taking place at PRISM Spaces, with an Artist Reception this Friday!

August 1st, 6-8pm.

Come check out this group show in an unusual, but very creative, working space in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago!

Curated by Savanna Rita, "The Neighborhood" aims to capture the unique personality of Chicago in the summer.

I have two paintings in the exhibit, an alley piece titled "Hollyhocks," and the promo piece with "Summer Garden," which is an image of flowers in a neighbor's backyard.

"Summer Garden" was inspired by the view of my friend Margaret's "new" summer yard and the Red, White, & Blue theme the flowers revealed.

Memorial Day, The 4th of July, and Labor Day all seem to share the Red/White/&Blue summer color palette, summing up the season while rounding out the lushness with touches of green.

Chicago's motto is "Urbs in Horto" or "City in a Garden", and it's not just the official park spaces that command attention. This city has some great home gardens cultivated by wonderful neighbors.

Please join me as PRISM Spaces celebrates summer in "The Neighborhood" with a variety of artwork, including photography (like a piece from my husband Dan Zamudio!).

Artists receive 100% of sales, highlighting the fact that this co-working site hopes to support local artists as well as cultivating a place for community engagement.

I hope to see you there this Friday!

PRISM
1212 N. Ashland #202

Artist Reception
Friday, August 1st
6-8pm

Show runs until September 29, 2025.

07/15/2025

Thanks!

Thank you to everyone who came out this past Sunday afternoon for the Opening Reception for "The Intersection of Here & Nowhere," a two-person exhibit of artworks at the Leslie Wolfe Gallery in Chicago.

Weaver Katie Vota (.a.vota) and I enjoyed chatting with collectors, friends, neighbors, students, and art lovers.

Thank you for your wonderful questions after our Artist Talk!

We were happy to share information about our artmaking processes as well as giving some insights into the deeper meanings behind our bodies of work.

Although Katie and I had never met before this exhibit, once we were paired together by the curators of the gallery, we were very intentional about how the show would be put together and hung.

This show is "an exhibition of liminal spaces woven from the fabric of urban lives by painter Julie Sulzen and weaver Katie Vota," as explained by our statement about the show.

The images are our interpretations of the worlds around us, exploring both outer & inner spaces, external as well as personal spaces.

This show, in the Old Town Neighborhood of Chicago, will be on exhibit for the month of July in case you did not get to see it, or need to see it again!

Thanks to all who came out on the 13th!

"The Intersection of Here & Nowhere"
Leslie Wolfe Gallery
1763 N. North Park Avenue
Chicago, Il 60614
(312) 337-1938

Gallery Hours:
Tues-Fri: 10am-5pm
Sat. 10am-1pm

07/12/2025

Reception tomorrow!

Join us as we celebrate the opening of the exhibit "The Intersection of Here and Nowhere" at the Leslie Wolfe Gallery in Chicago.

View works by weaver Katie Vota and painter Julie Sulzen.

Opening Reception from 1pm to 4pm.

We will be giving an Artist Talk at 3pm in the gallery.

Light refreshments will be served.

This exhibit is free and open to the public.

Show runs through the month of July, 2025.

Leslie Wolfe Gallery
1763 N. North Park Avenue
Chicago

04/29/2019

https://mailchi.mp/ae231f893987/newsletter-oct2018-2965549

Sulzen Fine Art Studio

03/12/2026

03/12/2026

03/04/2026

02/04/2026

01/28/2026

12/08/2025

12/07/2025

12/04/2025

07/29/2025

07/15/2025

07/12/2025

04/29/2019

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