Studio Artists
Being a furniture designer with a heavy background in woodworking it's been a challenge for Trevor O’Neil to alter his skill sets to accommodate the Green Movement. But, art lovers and furniture-forward collectors find O’Neil has met the challenge again and again with design after innovative design. From new green resources or discarded “trash,” O’Neil uses his materials in unconventional ways to create one-of-a-kind pieces. Constantly on the look out for anything that can be used to make functional furniture in a way that is environmentally responsible, O’Neil creates tables, dining collections, DJ turntables, wall sculptures, benches – you name it – and all one of a kind. Currently at work keeping up with international commissions and appearances at forthcoming green expos across the country, O’Neil works from his studio in Chicago. He and his longtime partner, Josette Herriges, operate TOJO Gallery as a working art studio, collaborative educational arts center and gallery.
For more information on artworks and available pieces, Please visit www.trevoroneil.com
Contact the artist at trevor@tojogallery.com
The paintings of Michael O’Briant reflect his desire to maintain the tradition of figurative narratives. His images are rooted in the timelessness of black and white photography: by combining figures from both found and original photographs, O’Briant is able to create his own unique compositions. These manufactured groupings represent through their style and shape, the artist’s view of our times.
For more information on artworks and available pieces, Please visit www.michaelobriant.com
Contact the artist at michaelhobriant@aol.com
Aaron Miller is a designer and illustrator living in Chicago. His interest in fantasy art began small. Literally. As a kid, he couldn’t stop collecting and painting Dungeon & Dragons minis. Aaron admits “I never even played the game. I just loved the minis and the art in the books.” As a “grown up” Miller’s art career began in oils and fine art. Eventually, the digital and graphic design industry summoned his mind and talent, so he returned to school to learn more. After ten years of running his own design business, and still longing to illustrate, he recently returned to his first love and is showing his explosively animated and energized previously unpublished work for the first time in more than ten years. Miller’s life has become all about sharing his passion for fantasy illustration – inspired by the work of other illustrators and the pictures and imagery he imagines every day, in a world not too far from where Dungeons and Dragons still live. Miller owns Double A Design in Chicago and manages life drawing classes at TOJO. When not channeling his mind’s eye to paper, he can be found running in the park or along Lake Michigan.
For more information on artworks and available pieces, Please visit www.aaronbmiller.com
Contact the artist at aaron@aaronbmiller.com
Working out of his studio in Chicago’s West Loop, the art of Mark Verwoerdt focuses on layering drawing and painting with an emphasis on figurative work. Physicality, materiality and time signatures are important components of his larger-than-life images. Verwoerdt’s work has been influenced by a deep study of classical Italian art and inspired by Robert Longo and Lucien Freud among others. Always expansive, Verwoerdt’s work summons appreciation for the physicality of his drawings. The time signatures and layers of mark-making are evident in his work.
Verwoerdt was born and raised in North Carolina, and received his BFA in Studio Art from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He earned his Master's Degree in Architecture in Austin, Texas, a profession he has since pursued almost entirely in Chicago. He currently works for Ross Barney Architects. Before joining Ross Barney, Verwoerdt worked for five years with Murphy/Jahn, the world renowned firm lead by architect Helmut Jahn. His portfolio includes the renovation of O'Hare International Airport, work on Bangkok International Airport and the Chicago River Walk expansion that is currently under construction. Additional projects include University of Chicago campus buildings, Northeastern Illinois University business school structures and a Chicago synagogue which has attracted international attention in recent months as it is being considered for the LEED Platinum Designation for a very high green rating – LEED is an honor that recognizes innovation and environmentally sound design. He lives in Chicago with his wife, Meg, and two wonderful boys, Walker and Arthur.
For more information on artworks and available pieces, Please visit www.markverwoerdt.com
Contact the artist at mverwoerdt@yahoo.com
Mark Verwoerdt
TOJO Gallery 1418 W. Division, Chicago, IL 60622 | 773 726 4545