BIGARTCHICAGO, also known as Brian, BIG and Mr. Graves is a teacher in Chicago by day! He also is an artist and he has one of a kind, Michigan State Spartan inspired piece with GLAMoms to share with you!
But first a little bit about BIGARTCHICAGO! BIG – Brian I Graves was born and raised in the Greater Lansing area and now resides in Chicago with his partner Greg and their cat-kids Oliver and Churchill. Brian is a 3rd grade teacher with Chicago Public Schools.
He has inspired children to express themselves for years and he has a unique way to outwardly express himself with his art.
Looking at his art, sometimes it reminds us of chalkboards and how even after the chalk is erased you are able to visualize layers and layers of letters while the words are difficult to differentiate.
Brian, here with his nephew Max in 2009 at The James, Chicago; BIGARTCHICAGO installation using Sharpies.
He picked up a brush and canvas over fifteen years ago and developed a self-taught expression of both feeling and emotion in his own form of abstract painting. The technique has evolved yet letters, words and everyday expressions – and emotion – continue to collide with color and texture through layers of acrylics, oils, pastels and sometimes other media such as Sharpies, sticks in the sand on Lake Michigan shorelines.
BIG has art around the globe. Locally, you will find two pieces in The Louie, across Allegan street from Boji Tower. You can marvel at the words for hours picking out phrases, names and places the Boji family provided Brian when he created this piece. You will also find a piece of his art at 98point6 Emergicenter.
Christine with Brian during the 2022 dedication of The Louie, Downtown Lansing. If you are walking on Allegan, you can get a glimpse of two BIGARTCHICACO originals when walking by.
From wedding vows to speeches to vacation destinations and collection of words that are meaningful to you or your family – Brian takes his very distinct “font” and creates something that did not exist before and will be the focus of conversation and memories for years to come.
GLAMoms is proud of Brian and all he has shared with the world, we are proud to share him with you. Please take a moment to check out his work!
Why are we sharing so much about Brian Graves? We are sharing because Brian is Christine’s younger brother! And he is working on something JUST for GLAMoms. A one of a kind BIGARTCHICAGO will be given away soon.
Check back, you are going to LOVE it. We do 🙂
