Ernest J. Schweit, Photographer

09/03/2026

Its move in day at the Lure of the Local Residency Program and we were excited to be greeted by Colleen Malec, senior planner with the Village of Mundelein (in black), and artist Kat Strack as we arrived with furniture for our five-month stay.
The residency coincides with the Lure of the Local art exhibit which opens for a month-long run in mid-October. Both events are sponsored by the Mundelein Arts Commission and the Village of Mundelein
Maureen and I couldn't be more excited at the chance to develop our work at the residency while exploring the theme of the exhibit, Love Letters through demos, talks and exhibits.
A total of 17 artists are included in the residency, held at the Archer Business Center, 175 N. Archer Ave., Mundelein.
Watch this space for more details.
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08/25/2026

I'm thrilled to announce that I, along with my wife, Maureen, have been accepted into the Artist Residency Program at Lure of the Local in Mundelein.
The program runs for approximately five months, Sept. 1 through Feb. 1 2027.
We will be joining 16 other artists at the 175 N. Archer building in Mundelein, working and engaging with the community through demos and presentations.
Maureen and I are currently making plans for our time there, so watch this space for news on our programs.
We are really grateful for this opportunity; we can't wait to get started.
Hope to see you there!
More information about Lure of the Local is available at https://www.mundelein.org/592/Lure-of-the-Local

08/25/2026

The August edition of my blog is out with reviews of three books that inspire my work, and could inspire yours, too. Find it at https://ernestjschweit.substack.com
And don't forget the click the "subscribe" button to receive copies of my new work--photos, essays and notes, free in your mailbox.
If you are feeling generous I'd love it if you signed on for a paid subscription ($5 a month), to help me continue my work.
Enjoy.

08/14/2026

"Life and Death" While working on a project of soft focus botanicals in my backyard, this fern, half parched by the sun, grabed my eye. The rich detail on the fronds in this simple image and the interplay of the colors were impossible to resist. More of my work at www.ejschweit.com

08/11/2026

For many artists, looking back at their early work can be a painful experience. I was the same way. Read about how I deal with the problem in my new blog at https://ernestjschweit.substack.com. If you'd like to receive future blogs and previews of other work in your inbox, become a free subscriber by clicking on the button. A low-cost paid subscription helps me continue my work.

08/10/2026

It was good to get back in the business of showing my work at the Lake County Art League's annual Invitational, which opened Saturday at the Antioch Fine Arts Foundation.
Six months had passed since my last show and, to be honest, I kinda enjoyed the rest.
But it was invigorating to show two images from my barn portfolio and a selection of matted botanicals at the show.
My lovely and talented wife, Maureen Ivy Fisher, was happy to show some of her fiber art and canvass prints of two paintings.
The show runs through Aug. 30, so make a plan to stop by.
More of my work is at www.ejschweit.com
Read my blog at https://ernestjschweit.substack.com

08/06/2026

Don't forget to stop and see Maureen and me at the Lake County Art League's Invitational show, which opens Saturday at the Antioch Fine Arts Center.
Maureen will be showing her fiber art and canvas prints of two paintings. Here's a sneak peek of half of her fiber art diptych.
I'm showing two barn images, both framed in reclaimed barnwood, and a selection of five matted pieces.
The opening reception runs from 2 to 5 p.m. at the AFA gallery, 896 Main Street.
We hope to see you there.

08/05/2026

Here’s a new image from my backyard garden series…

By its heritage, the common backyard garden fern is a shade-loving woodland plant. No wonder that it can easily burn when over exposed to the sun. But rendered closely, its burnt fronds become a lesson in how life and death can together be so opposite, yet so beautiful and natural together. “Let c...

08/04/2026

"Shadow Dancer"
Side lit by the morning sun, this String of Pearls becomes a tangle of shape and texture. One in a series of upclose botanicals made in my backyard. See more from that series in my blog at
https://ernestjschweit.substack.com/
More of my work at www.ejschweit.com

08/03/2026

I will be joining 20 other artists for the Lake County Art League's Invitational, which opens Saturday at the Antioch Fine Arts Foundation gallery.
"Galena Barn," is one of two framed images and five matted pieces on display there.
The reception runs from 2 to 5 p.m. at the AFA gallery, 896 Main Street.
I hope to see you there.
More of my work is at www.ejschweit.com
Read my blog at https://ernestjschweit.substack.com