Five Things I Learned About Chicago

Took a quick but much needed road trip last week. Greg and I headed out to Chicago for the 3rd Annual Workbook Creative Carnival at Open Secret Studios. It was my second trip to the Second City and I was hoping it would put to rest my hesitations from the last time around. As far back as I can remember I have had this mild fascination with Chicago. I can’t really place a reason why but if there was one city I always wanted to visit this was it. The first time I was here I was on a clients dime and worked the entire time. Not that it was a bad visit or that I had a bad time, it was just uneventful and didn’t leave that longing to return. But I held onto my childhood dreams and scrapped the trip off to a bad tour guide. This time around Chicago delivered. I could have spent a month there and still left with a list of things to do. Greg and I were able to get as much drawing in as we could, ate some great pizza, drank (sorry Greg, I am such light weight), and made some new friends. All in all a fantastic trip and I am ready to go back the second I have a chance.

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The Sears Tower

 

As for the things I learned in Chicago, in no particular order:
1. The Sears Tower is now the Willis Tower. Still not sure why. Go look it up, I am right now.

2. The women are tall. No seriously, I have never seen so many tall woman in one place in my life.

3. Possibly the friendliest place I have ever been to. Minus one moment we witnessed, I don’t think I saw a single stressful exchange.

4. Chicagoans love Chicago. There was this all around pride and camaraderie when we went out. And they like to go out. Late. Thursday nights are like a Sunday morning in NYC compared to Chicago.

5. Could be the cleanest city I have ever seen. Even the outer “boroughs” were clean. A great place.

Thanks for all who hosted us. See you next time.

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El Train in The Loop

 

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Chicago Theater

 

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The Picasso  in Daley Square

 

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The “Bean,” Cloud Gate by Anish Kapoor

 

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DuSable Bridge over the Chicago River

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Me drawing the bean, courtesy Greg Betza

Comments (5)

  1. Chicago : greg betza i l l u s t r a t i o n

    […] Dominick Santise and I decided to stay a few days in Chicago after the Workbook Creative Carnival. […]

  2. Rob Waters

    Love you work!!!! Really fresh!
    You’ve inspired me to be really loose.
    I sketch at Palette and Chisel (life models).
    Love the challenge that ‘location’ drawing presents.

    Glad you like our city (Chicago).
    Come back any time!

  3. Dominick

    Thanks Audrey, Chicago was a blast.

  4. Dominick

    Thanks Rob, so nice for you to say. It was a great week in Chicago. Life drawing at the Workbook event and location drawing in your great city. I hope to be back as soon as I can. Keep on drawing.

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