A Sunday Afternoon at Wolf Point - Chicago

On a warm Sunday afternoon, I set up my easel along the Chicago River at Wolf Point, one of my favorite spots in the city. It’s where the river branches off into its north and south forks—a place full of movement, reflections, and life.

As I painted, I couldn’t help but think of Georges Seurat’s “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.” The scene around me felt like a modern version of that painting—people everywhere enjoying the sunshine, boats gliding by, and the energy of the city flowing through it all.

From where I stood on the west side of the river, I had a great view of 333 West Wacker Drive directly across from me. Its curved green glass façade reflected the blue sky and the shimmering water below—one of the most distinctive buildings in Chicago. To my left, the Merchandise Mart glowed in the afternoon light, its massive limestone exterior catching the warmth of the sun. In the background, the Marina Towers stood like sentinels over the river.

The Chicago Riverwalk began just across the way, already filling with people walking, talking, and relaxing by the water. Every few minutes, the El train rumbled across the nearby bridge, a reminder that the rhythm of the city never really pauses. Out on the water, tour boats cruised by with narrators pointing out landmarks, while smaller boats and kayaks weaved in between them.

It was one of those perfect Chicago days—bright, breezy, and full of color and sound. The reflections on the water constantly shifted as clouds passed overhead, keeping me on my toes as I painted.

Standing there, surrounded by all that activity, I felt the same joy I always get when painting plein air—the connection between the place, the moment, and the painting itself.

Someday, I’d like to create a larger studio painting of the Chicago River, inspired by this day. But for now, this plein air piece captures the essence of that Sunday at Wolf Point—vibrant, full of life, and unmistakably Chicago.