Urban + Jungle Painting

I often take long walks with my camera and capture images or scenes that inspire me. I have a huge number of extended family members who live in Chicago, one of my favorite cities, and I am always drawn to the intricate and unusual man-made landscapes that make up large cities. The afternoon light in this photo came in just at the right time to highlight the buildings in the background and large cranes constructing a new tower, while the nearer buildings cast strong deep shadows in the alleyway. There is something so familiar and comforting about this scene for an urban dweller--it suggests to me paths to be explored, new spaces to be discovered, and all the excitement and energy of the city. It also offered a spontaneous study of light and form with all the color variations and shadows coupled with the bright hues of the dumpsters and single man's shirt.