Jet Set & the City
This piece is headed to Chicago — a city that never stops showing up with style.
Big love to Chi-Town — you’ve got the eye, the taste, the vibe. Always.
Nothing but respect for the way you champion original art.
There’s just something about Chicago.
It’s not only the skyline, the architecture, or the pulse of the streets — it’s the people. The way they see art. The way they feel it. Over the years, I’ve sent countless original works to the city, and every time, it feels electric.
This latest painting, The Jet Set, isn’t just traveling — it’s landing with someone who truly felt it. That’s the goal: to create something that resonates so deeply, it finds its way home.
Wherever I meet someone from the Chicago area, I’m reminded of the city’s bold spirit — its love for individuality, fearless expression, and originality. When shipping from Los Angeles, there’s always a spark in a Chi-Town connection.
Truth is, my love affair with Chicago started young. I vividly remember turning sixteen and driving six hours from Minneapolis just to experience the music, the food, the clubs — the creative energy. It left a mark. Still does.
At the time, I was immersed in piano practice, but something shifted during those trips. I’ll never forget my first visit to the Art Institute of Chicago — the architecture, the quiet reverence, the masterpieces. Standing in front of the massive Jackson Pollocks, and Monet’s, things stirred. That electric moment — wild, expressive, unapologetic — the spark that steered me toward a broader creative life. It would be years before I picked up a paintbrush, but in hindsight, the seed was planted right there, in that charged room of color, energy, and genius.
Decades later, Chicago still calls.
And it’s no surprise this new JRO ART painting is heading back to the city, and state where so much inspiration began.
Here’s to the collectors. The creatives. The ones who see with soul.
Here’s to the city/state that keeps showing up with grace, guts, and style.
Chicago — thank you for being my people.
For the nostalgia. The connection. The energy that makes this journey not just meaningful — but fun.
With respect,
— JRO
Feel free to reach out with any inquiries about our one-of-a-kind artwork, custom statement pieces, creative design services, collaborations, or licensing opportunities.
The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities, centering the vision of artists and makers. We recognize that all art is made in a particular context, demanding continual, dynamic reconsideration in the present. We are a place of gathering; we foster the exchange of ideas and inspire an expansive, inclusive understanding of human creativity. https://www.artic.edu/
The History of Chicago – WIKI
