
Joining the Creative Mornings community this month to speak to the theme of Action is mosaic artist cum street artist Jim Bachor. From bomb pops to Blagojevich, Jim’s subject matter is a reflection of American—hell, Chicago—culture. And you’re most likely to stumble across it in the most unexpected of places—our potholes.

Let’s get to it and get to know Jim.
What drives your desire to create?
I think some folks are just pre-wired to want to. One of the things that drives me is to leave a mark on this world while I’m here, however minor. I’m pretty sure my 9 year-old twins aren’t going to be building a pyramid in my honor so I think that’s part of the reason I was drawn to such a durable art form. Another motivating factor is the need to just get thoughts out of my head and documented.
How does Chicago influence you or your work?
With the pothole campaign, Chicago certainly was an influence by just being what it is—a midwestern city with some wear-n-tear along it’s edges. For all of its problems I still love the city. I like the idea of a Chicagoan being proud enough of his town to brand it’s plentiful potholes as our own.
What are you most proud of, professionally or otherwise?
The obvious/required answer is my twin boys Ajax and Henry but that’s probably not the answer you’re looking for. I think I’m most proud of making people rethink what a mosaic can be. The art form comes with a ton of baggage (think your aunt’s mosaic flower pots or mirror frames). Hopefully I’ve started to make people reconsider preconceived ideas of what a mosaic is.
What does this month’s theme—Action—mean to you?
Taking risks without over-thinking what people’s reactions might be or what the ramifications might be.
What’s the best reaction you’ve received to one of your pothole installations?
My favorite reaction was the guy that stopped and chatted with me as I finished up an installation on a cold morning back in 2014. He left and came back in 20 minutes with a coffee and danish for me to thank me for helping beautify his neighborhood.

Join us on August 28th for your monthly dose of creative inspiration as Jim shares with us how he took to the streets to find a place for his art while sprucing up our fair city.
See you next week!
Rusty













