This painting was the beginning of my series without realizing it at the time. It was just an ordinary day in my life, my commute to work through River North on a rainy Monday morning.

But something about that mundane moment captured my attention. And after much thought, I think it was that I was observing how everyone, including myself, can be so caught up in our own spaces, our own heads and not ever notice what’s around us. In other words, I realize how alone we often are in a world surrounded by others.

 So, to bring a little levity to this moody piece, I added Charlie, a sweet terrier mix/mutt, to the painting. He's such an independent guy, but NOT a city dog at all. So, it was amusing and kind of fun for him to have a cameo in this very urban scene. I think he pulled it off.