Feels like, looks like, sounds like summer!

It's the year of epic cicada brood emergings and screechings, aka singing. They've gone from being underground couch potatoes for over a decade to metamorphosing into big flying insects with apparently poor navigation skills which would explain why they invariable fly into unsuspecting people. Here are a few photos from a recent walk in one of the forest preserves near me.

Several of the forest preserves near me have great prairie spaces and oak savannas. At this time of year, the cone flowers, black-eyed susans, day lilies and false indigo are only promising buds or spikes, but the spiderwort, dames rocket and daisies are beautiful right now. I think of them as happy flowers, nodding to the memory of Bob Ross. My recent painting of Queen Anne's Lace in my current show catalog has inspired me to continue exploring the subject of prairie flowers —  a couple photos gathered for painting inspiration follow:

A catalog is also available, featuring an essay by artist and art critic Robin D'Luzen and additional painting images.

If you're planning to visit Chicago between now and June 22, please visit Zolla/Lieberman Gallery to see this exhibit in person. There will be a closing reception and artist talk beginning at 2pm on the 22nd. 

As always, check in on Facebook and Instagram to see what I've been up to. Above all else, stay well!