C Drew - Street Artist Adventures

I’ve got it down to little or nothing! The folder is now my printing surface, a newspaper sheet for the damp prints and safety pins for those with patches to be pinned on immediately.

Just seat me to the left of my bag. Out comes the screen from my bag, out comes the four plastic bottles of ink and the squeegee then I am printing. Kapow….

So I hopped on my bike and road around searching for 100% cotton bed sheets in patterns and colors I find exciting to print on. At the several thrift stores I visited I found some very colorful light patterns that are easy to print over from around the world. India, Pakistan, China, …

I was very choosy and only bought three at the first place and two at the second. That was already enough to fill my leather bag to overflowing. The cost was about $8.

I needed the signature of our art center (UM-CAC - art-teez.org) Board President, Robert Wapahi. Balancing my full bag on my handle bars, I peddled over to see him. At his apartment we discussed the UM-CAC cable show on channel 21 in Chicago that will appear every Monday night from 6:30-7:00 July-September 24, 2007. We will feature artists and musicians and screen printing and website ideas and answer your questions about the art the issues or the techniques we present. See it…

“Have you been to the American Indian Center this week at all?” Robert asked.

“Just came from there,” I said.

“Did you notice anything in the Tribal Hall?”

“No”

“You didn’t notice the mural there?”

“No”

“I finished it. They had a scaffold up for other purposes so I took the opportunity to finish the mural.” This was news to me for more than a few reasons. Wow.

MURAL by ROBERT WAPAHI at the American Indian Center (1630 W Wilson 60640)

I was embarrassed.
“Hey, you can shoot a picture of the mural - can’t you.” he said when I took the photo of the cactus and the cat (above).

From Robert’s place I rode to the American Indian Center where I shot the photo of his mural. From there I headed north toward Loyola University area and the Loyola El stop where I wanted to print a run in public.

I walked my bike through the tight path at Gethsemane Garden Store. I enjoy this business and I do not mind sharing the walk with them. I know they have had to go through some changes to gain use of this public side walk area. A business must justify why it should have the right to use public space because the space is valuable. It is needed for the public to conduct its business.
What is the public’s business? It is more than foot traffic! It is a place for meeting and talking with other citizens. It is where political and social discussions can take place. It is where free speech is allowed. A Mall may prohibit political fliers from being distributed on their private property but not on the public side walk. Law suits around the nation by artists and newspapers have confirmed time and again that free speech is protected in the public way, in public parks and where ever people commonly gather to express their political and social expressions like the plazas of government (public) buildings.

I made it to Loyola and printed for an hour. There is a natural audience at this location. I need to make it a frequent stop along my way. Part of what this blog can explore is the different locations and the reception I find. There will be more opportunities to define Loyola El stop and the setting. Stay tuned. If you are in Chicago - check out channel 21 on Mondays at 6:30 July 2-September 24th. Comments - email cdrew@c-drew.com
C. Drew