1-May-17 – A visit to Chicago by a Montreal artist has inspired a series of paintings that will be shown this summer in the Gold Coast neighborhood.

The artist, known simply as L’OR, was visiting Chicago in 2013 with her husband, a native of the city. She decided to capture some of the Loop and riverfront in works comprised of 15 to 20 layers of paint.

“When I decided to do the urban scenes of Chicago, I wanted to capture the energy of its growth,” says L’OR. “I also wanted to portray the city as one would remember in dreams. I had no desire to do traditional architectural paintings. The art of capturing what is real is the domain of the camera. The challenge to the artist is not to paint what she sees but rather to create imagery of what she perceives or remembers.” (Left) Sidewalk cafe under the L in the Loop at Wabash & Adams.

The exhibit, From the Corners of My Mind, will be on display at 3rd Coast Café, 1260 North Dearborn Street, from June 1 through September 30.

It will include urban scenes from Montreal, as well, which caught the eye of the owner of 3rd Coast Café.

“I have visited Montreal and when I close my eyes, I remember the city as she has portrayed it,” says Janet Thomas. “Her work gives me cause to return and I’m certain will motivate many to visit Montreal for the first time. One of the reasons I wanted this exhibit here at 3rd.”

Opening night of the exhibit is by invitation only.