g e n e r a l   a r t i s t ' s   s t a t m e n t

I went to art school to learn to draw people so I could illustrate children's books, and instead, I rediscovered my love of anthropology and natural history and found a way to use art as an entry back into these fields. In the Renaissance there was little distinction between art and science--drawing was the way to explore the world and to convey information. My art is based on that tradition.

All my art grows out of my journals in some way. Grounded in direct observation, especially of the natural world, my art is pieced together from smaller units, much the way a journal is pieced together over time. From daily moon observations and lists of birds seen, to charts and graphs based on the information contained in those daily observations; from observational watercolor and pen and ink sketches, to larger, more abstract works based on those sketches; from the found objects I pick up on my errands and walks, to the collages made with these objects, inspired by illuminated manuscript pages and egg tempera panel paintings, my art reflects my observations of the world around me.


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I was born in Virginia and spent most of my summers in New Hampshire. In 1973 I moved to Chicago and I have been here ever since. But I still spend part of each summer in New Hampshire.

I received a BA degree from Brown University in Anthropology and Archaeology (honors, Phi Beta Kappa, 1972) and a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (painting and drawing, 1997).

I write children’s books. PETER’S TRUCKS, illustrated by Cat Bowman Smith was published by Albert Whitman in 1992. TRUCK STUCK, illustrated by Andy Robert Davies, was released by Charlesbridge Publishing in Feb. of 2008. THE ROBIN MAKES A LAUGHING SOUND: A BIRD’S JOURNAL, which will be illustrated by images from my sketchebooks, with pages designed by Micah Bornstein, is scheduled for Spring, 2009, also from Charlesbridge Publishing.

I am a full-time artist and writer, and I have shown my artwork in numerous Chicago and other venues, including solo installations of the Moon Project at Harper College, the Adler Planetarium, and the art gallery of the Fermilab. My panoramic landscapes can be seen at the Patricia Ladd Carega Gallery in New Hampshire.

I have a studio in the Oak Park Arts District (Calypso Moon Studio, 331 B Harrison St., Oak Park, by luck or by appointment--708-848-1385.) Three times a year Calypso Moon Studio is open to the public for What's Blooming on Harrison Street, Art on Harrison, and Holiday Lights. Check the Oak Park Arts District on shopoakpark.com for exact dates and times.

I teach workshops and demonstrations for children and for adults through schools and art leagues.



C V    
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e d u c a t i o n :

BFA, The School of the Art Institute, May 1997, Painting and Drawing

BA, Brown University, 1972, Anthropology (honors, Phi Beta Kappa)



s o l o   e x h i b i t i o n s :    
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2009

Landscapes, Patricia Ladd Carega Gallery, Center Sandwich, New Hampshire.    link

2007

Oak Park Sketching Diary, Oak Park Hospital, Oak Park, Illinois.

2006

The Moon Project, The Fermilab Art Gallery, Batavia, Illinois.    link

Panoramic Landscapes, Patricia Ladd Carega Gallery, Center Sandwich, New Hampshire.    link

2005

The Moon Project, The Adler Planetarium, Chicago, Illinois.    link
This project is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

2003

Big Brush Watercolors, The Holderness School, Holderness, New Hampshire.    link

Landscapes, Patricia Ladd Carega Gallery, Center Sandwich, New Hampshire.    link

2001

The Moon Project, installation at Harper College, Palatine, Illinois.

1991

A Year of Sketching in Oak Park, Oak Park Village Hall, Oak Park, Illinois.



s e l e c t e d   e x h i b i t i o n s :    
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2008

Color + Pattern + Shape = Camouflage, an exhibition of Sallie Wolf’s and Art Start students’ work, Village Hall, Oak Park, Illinois.

2007

The Pomegranate Exercise, a group art installation curated by Pat Allen, Calypso Moon Studio, Oak Park, Illinois.    link

2006

PARK YOURSELF, Citywide Parking Space Project, Chicago, Illinois USA      image    link

Aha! Epiphanies & Breakthroughs, juried exhibit of national artists, Union Street Gallery, Chicago Heights, Illinois.

The Geometry of Landscape -- Two Views, two person show, Oak Park Public Library Art Gallery, Oak Park, Illinois.
This project was partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

Size Matters, juried group show at Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, Illinois.    link

2005

Secret Place, Sacred Space, juried group show at Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, Illinois.    link

2004

Sandwich Artists, Patricia Ladd Carega Gallery, Center Sandwich, New Hampshire.    link

2003

Documentation, juried group show at Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, Illinois.    link

Animal Images, third annual juried art show of the Anti-Cruelty Society, Chicago, Illinois. Ed Paschke, juror.

2002

Illinois Watercolor Society, Annual Show, Schaumburg, Illinois.

Oak Park Art League, Members’ Show, Oak Park, Illinois.    link

2001

Palette and Palate, group show at A Taste of Heaven, Chicago, Illinois.

2000

Palette and Palate group show at Castello Pasquini, Castiglioncello, Italy.

Illinois Watercolor Society, Annual Show, Schaumburg, Illinois.

1999

Faces and Phases, The Moon Project, Phase Two, a three-person exhibition at Oak Park River Forest High School, Oak Park, Illinois.

Illinois Watercolor Society, Annual Show, Schaumburg, Illinois.

1998

Oak Park Art League, Abstract Show, Oak Park, Illinois.    link

1997

The Moon Project, BFA project for The School of the Art Institute, Chicago, Illinois.



h o n o r s   a n d   a w a r d s :    
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2007

Ragdale Foundation, one month Artist¹s Residency, Lake Forest, Illinois.    link

2006

Special Assistance Grant, Illinois Arts Council.    link

2005

Special Assistance Grant, Illinois Arts Council.    link

Oak Park Art League, Member's Show, Juror's Award (Barbara Cooper, juror)    link

2004

Ragdale Foundation, one month Artist’s Residency, Lake Forest, Illinois.    link

2003

Ragdale Foundation, two week Artist’s Residency, Lake Forest, Illinois.    link

2002

Illinois Watercolor Society, Annual Show, Juror’s Award

Oak Park Art League, Member’s Show, Juror’s Award    link

2000

Illinois Watercolor Society, Annual Show, Juror’s Award

1999

Illinois Watercolor Society, Annual Show, Award of Excellence

Oak Park Art League, Abstract Show, First Place    link



s p e a k i n g   e n g a g e m e n t s :    
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2007

Slide presentation -- Patricia Carega Gallery, Center Sandwich, New Hampshire. Presented a slide talk relating the Moon Project to my landscape work.

2006

Slide presentation -- Littleton Public High School, Littleton, New Hampshire. Presented a slide talk on the Moon Project to high school math and science students.

Slide presentation and gallery talk -- Fermi Lab Art Gallery, Batavia, IL. Presented two slide talks/gallery walks to adult audiences on the Moon Project.

2005

Chicago Humanities Festival, Home and Away -- Presented two “tours” of The Moon Project installation at the Adler Planetarium.

INSAP V Conference (Inspiration of Astronomical Phenomena) -- Presented a slide talk on my art installation, The Moon Project. Hosted by the Adler Planetarium, Chicago, Illinois.

2001

Visiting Artist -- Harper College, Palatine, Illinois - Presented two slide talks/gallery walks in conjunction with the Moon Project exhibition.



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  For information about hiring Sallie Wolf for workshops and presentations SCBWI-Illinois Speakers directory


2008

Collage Book Covers -- book binding project for Young Authors Conference, Joliet Public Schools District 86

Personalized Sketchbooks -- 1-day workshop in bookbinding for fifth graders, Oak Park, Illinois.

Water -- 4 workshops for kindergartners, complementing the curriculum, Oak Park, Illinois.

2007

Camouflage -- 4 workshops for second graders, complementing the curriculum, Oak Park, Illinois.

Dinosaurs in Art and Poetry -- 4 workshops for second graders complementing the curriculum, Oak Park, Illinois.

2006

Adult Journal-making Workshop -- Hug-a-Book Conference, Chicago, Illinois.

Adult Watercolor Workshop -- Little Church Theater, Holderness, New Hampshire.

Birds in Art and Poetry -- 4 workshops for second graders complementing the curriculum, Oak Park, Illinois.

Artward Bound -- 10 day intensive artist-in-residency program at Holderness School, Holderness, NH working with freshman in a boarding high school.    link

2005

Adult Watercolor Workshop -- Little Church Theater, Holderness, New Hampshire.

Artward Bound -- 10 day intensive artist-in-residency program at Holderness School, Holderness, NH working with freshman in a boarding high school.    link

Water -- 4 workshops for kindergartners, complementing the curriculum, Oak Park, Illinois.

2003

Abstracted Landscapes -- a demonstration in mixed media techniques, Berwyn Art League, Berwyn, Illinois.

An Artist’s Vision: A Vision for Art -- 4 workshops for second graders, using the classroom as subject matter for drawing explorations, River Forest, Illinois

Camouflage -- 4 workshops for second graders, complementing the curriculum, Oak Park, Illinois.

Personalized Sketchbooks -- 1-day workshop in bookbinding for fifth graders, Oak Park, Illinois.

2002

Keeping an Artist’s Sketchbook -- 4-week class for adults at the Oak Park Art League, Oak Park, Illinois.

Collage -- 4-week class for adults at the Oak Park Art League, Oak Park, Illinois.

Butterflies -- 4 workshops for second graders, complementing the curriculum, River Forest, Illinois.

Birds -- 4 workshops for second graders, complementing the curriculum, Oak Park, Illinois.

Personalized Sketchbooks -- 1-day workshop in bookbinding for fifth graders, Oak Park, Illinois.

2001

Visiting Artist, Harper College, giving slide presentations and gallery talks in conjunction with the Moon Project exhibition.

Collage -- 4-week class for adults at the Oak Park Art League, Oak Park, Illinois.

Earth, Sun, Moon -- 4 workshops for first graders, complementing the curriculum, Oak Park, Illinois.

2000

Birds -- 4 workshops for second graders, complementing the curriculum, Oak Park, Illinois.

Collage Animals -- 1-day workshop for second graders, Oak Park, Illinois.

1999

Earth, Sun, Moon -- 4 workshops for kindergartners, complementing the curriculum, Oak Park, Illinois.

City Scenes -- 1-day workshop in collage for seventh and eighth graders, Oak Park, Illinois.

1998

Birds -- 4 workshops for second graders, complementing the curriculum, Oak Park, Illinois.



c h i l d r e n ' s   b o o k s :    
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Peter's Trucks, (Albert Whitman & Co., 1992, illustrated by Pat Bowman Smith.)

Truck Stuck, (Charlesbridge Publishers, 2008, illustrated by Andrew Robert Davies.)

The Robin Makes a Laughing Sound: A Birder’s Journal, (Charlesbridge Publishers, Spring of 2009, written and illustrated by Sallie Wolf, design by Micah Bornstein.)



a r t i c l e s ,   p u b l i c a t i o n s ,   p r e s s :    
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New American Painting, vol. 71, (Elizabeth Dunbar, Curator of the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, juror)

Wolf's art work exhibited, The Meredith News. July 6, 2006    link

Angels from the garbage - by Anna Poplawska, Art Review, Yoga Chicago, November-December, 2005    link

The Aldler explores limits of artistic expression - by Web Behrens, Arts & Entertainment, Chicago Tribune, June 26, 2005    link

Oak Park artist Sallie Wolf Howls at the moon - by Anna Poplawska, Wednesday Journal, October 19, 2005    link

Artist is attuned to the moon - by Jennifer Olvera, Pioneer Press, August 24, 2005    link

Artist uncover angels in the trash - by Anna Poplawska, Wednesday Journal, December 15, 2004    link

Reaching for the moon - by Linda Mccants Pendleton, Wednesday Journal, March 31, 2004    link

Astronomical art - by Barbara Bell, Pioneer Press, October 31, 2001    link



c o n t a c t :

Sallie Wolf        
  map

Calypso Moon Studio
331 B Harrison Street
Oak Park, Illinois 60304
USA

708-848-1385

email: sallie@salliewolf.com


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