DESTINATIONS

Destinations A, 105.5 x 75.6 in. (2680mm x 1920mm), acrylic on canvas, 2026

Chicago lucks out because the Presidents Cup is in town at Medinah this week! I’m happy to be a part of the event via my humble talents.

The PGA Tour reached out to commission 2 paintings for the Presidents Cup: one for Team America and one for the International Team. Could I create something that presented the teams, the event and Chicago as well? It sounded like a fun challenge, so I got to work. Where to start? Well, if you’re coming to the City of Chicago, where do you go? To the lake of course. A destination for real! It’s the best place to start.

I once heard an announcer say, “He’s been working on his game. He can really sculpt his shot”. It got me thinking, There is allot to experience along the lakefront in the City including great sculpture. The Ferris Wheel, for example, is ever present on the horizon (it made its debut here at the World’s Columbian Exhibition of 1893). A few blocks down you’ll find daaa Bean (Cloudgate, Kapoor, 2006). Next, head into the Loop and stand before the polarizing Picasso statue (1967). And of course, you can see it all from the top of the Hancock building on Michigan ave. And if you do, look down because - ahem - you can see a Jeff Zimmermann mural at Oak Street beach down below.

These landmarks and sculptures inform the paintings Destinations. The Picasso’s outer shape alludes to a shot tracker which follows the player’s drive off the tee. A golfer’s swing is much like the shape of the Ferris Wheel for sure. And remember, the biggest water hazard is Lake Michigan. The Chicago star marks our home next to the lake. A pin flag represents Medinah’s proximity to both. Finally, the fans are present in both paintings. I had the privilege of working at the President’s Cup in 2008 in Montreal, Canada. The fans did not disappoint! Great city, great people and it was a great event! It’s full circle now with these works, and I am proud to be a part of it all.

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