Cold Afternoons, I Share a Song with You  2025

24” x 30”
Acrylic on stretched canvas, red thread
Permanent Installation at Northwestern Impact Institute


This painting features the Chicago city itself, the picture reference taken at Montrose Point Beach in the Uptown area. Two wonderful friends agreed to be the artist’s muses. They captured a candid moment as the two practiced songs that they were going to perform for their wedding. (Thank you for allowing me in your space and I hope I captured it well!) This piece exits out of the dreamscape  into reality, and in this moment a tangible connection is shared. The rabbit manifests into real life as a companion that feels the ground behind its paws, and the breeze through its fur. In this instance the figures are grounded, nevermind the world that shifts and changes around them because in this moment they share warmth and happiness. The predominant colors are reminiscent of the trans flag, a nod to the efforts of “Keep it Up” to help keep the queer community healthy. All of our community deserves recognition, grace, and understanding.


Read about the Triptych here

Click through the individual pieces on the left to read more about each painting and it’s relation to Dr. Mustanski’s work.