- 123 sesame street
- 36 hours in chicago
- american bungalow
- antique chicago maps
- Art in The Big Sick
- billmurray
- biography
- booth setup
- brick
- brick bond patterns
- brick bonds
- brick guide
- brick infographic
- brick orientations
- bricks incorporated
- building drawing
- bungalow
- bungalow architecture
- bungalow drawings
- bungalow guide
- bungalow history
- bungalow styles
- bungalow types
- bungalows
- california bungalow
- celebrity
- chicago
- chicago aerial map
- chicago architecture
- chicago architecture ceramics
- chicago architecture drawing
- chicago architecture sketching
- Chicago art
- chicago art deco
- chicago art fair booth
- chicago art show setup
- chicago ballpark drawing
- chicago beer bars
- chicago beer map
- chicago bird's eye maps
- chicago bird's eye views
- chicago brick patterns
- chicago bricks
- chicago building
- chicago building drawings
- chicago bungalow
- chicago bungalow plate
- chicago bungalows
- chicago ceramics
- chicago coliseum
- chicago craft show booth
- chicago downtown architecture
- chicago eats
- chicago food
- chicago gothic revival
- chicago home renderings
- chicago homes
- chicago hot dog
- chicago hot dog stand
- chicago lakefront map
- chicago lakefront trail
- chicago lakeshore drive
- chicago lakeshore trail
- chicago map
- chicago map kickstarter
- chicago maps
- chicago modernist architecture
- Chicago movie art
- chicago new yorker map
- chicago old basketball stadiums
- chicago panorama maps
- chicago rapid transit map
- chicago river
- chicago river art
- chicago river drawing
- chicago river illustration
- chicago riverwalk
- chicago riverwalk art
- chicago riverwalk map
- chicago school architecture
- chicago skyscrapers
- chicago stadium art
- chicago stadium drawing
- chicago stoneware
- chicago to chicagoans
- chicago two-flats
- chicago-style hot dog
- cool maps of chicago
- craft fair
- craft show booth
- drawing of chicago hot dog stand
- drawing of chicago restaurant
- handmade ceramics
- historic chicago ballparks
- historic chicago buildings
- historic chicago sports venues
- historic chicago stadium
- hockey stadiums chicago
- home and building illustration
- home portrait
- home portraits
- hot dog
- illustrated map
- illustration
- italianate brownstore
- johncusack
- lake michigan illustrated
- Lincoln Square
- map
- map room
- marathon maps
- marxbrothers
- mayfair
- mies modernism
- Milwaukee
- Milwaukee sites
- milwaukee tourism
- minimal city print
- new york city brownstone
- old chicago ballparks
- one of a kind show chicago
- pbs sets
- pen and ink
- pen and ink building
- pen and ink chicago map
- pen and ink drawings
- penandink
- plan of chicago map
- Ravenswood
- Rookery drawing
- rules of the chicago hot dog stand
- runners world
- saul steinberg
- screen print
- sesame street
- sesame street brownstone
- sesame street house
- shelsilverstein ×
- stoneware
- The Big Sick
- the new yorker
- things to do in lincoln square
- things to do in ravenswood
- tinafey
- Tourism
- Two-flats of Chicago
- urban sketching
- vernacular architecture
- vintage chicago maps
- visiting milwaukee
- wrigley field art
- wrigley field drawing
Tribute to Shel Silverstein
I've always loved Shel Silverstein's work. When I learned he grew up and lived in Chicago, I started reading more about him and thought it would be fun to put together a brief illustrated tour of his life and make a nod to his poetic and artistic style. An attempt, anyway.
What I realize, trying to imitate his work, is that his drawings look simple but there is a lot going on. There is power and looseness in the line work, there's very deliberate choices about white space--i.e., what NOT to draw. His illustration complements his poetry, which is also, on the surface, simple and to the point. Usually there is some twist or turn at the end that makes you think. Just like his famous song "A Boy Named Sue."
His work is a great lesson in minimalism. Shel can make simple black and white text and pen strokes turn into some of the most beloved, thought-provoking, and colorful pieces of work for all ages.

Going to Printer's Row this year? It's on June 10-11 by Printer's Row Park in the South Loop. Come find me and say hello.