top of page

Chicago Artist

zachbartz@gmail.com

Violet Hour w Business Man.jpg

CURRENTLY ON DISPLAY:

Chicago Truborn - Chicago, IL
Cole's Bar - Chicago, IL
iO Theater - Chicago, IL
Cork Lounge - Chicago, IL
Noble Coyote - Chicago, IL

-Check out my Etsy here!
- Buy my artwork at Seventh Corner Gallery here!
- Buy my artwork at Chicago Truborn here!
- Buy my artwork at All Star Press Chicago here!
- Buy my collaboration print with AJ Abelman from the Design Museum of Chicago here!
- Buy my IG/Tiktok merch here!

#winter #shoveling #chicago

#winter #shoveling #chicago

#motivational #youarenotalone #chicago

#motivational #youarenotalone #chicago

#chicago #winter #midwest

#chicago #winter #midwest

#groundhogday #trustissue #divided #chicago

#groundhogday #trustissue #divided #chicago

#quotesoftheday #mindsetofachampion #chicago

#quotesoftheday #mindsetofachampion #chicago

Devastated by the loss of Catherine O’Hara. Beyond brilliant and gone too soon.

“Portrait of Catherine”
Acrylic and paint pen on canvas
16” x 20”

#catherineohara #portrait #chicagoartist

Devastated by the loss of Catherine O’Hara. Beyond brilliant and gone too soon.

“Portrait of Catherine”
Acrylic and paint pen on canvas
16” x 20”

#catherineohara #portrait #chicagoartist

#cars #revenge #chicago

#cars #revenge #chicago

#quotesoftheday #mindsetiseverything #chili #chicago

#quotesoftheday #mindsetiseverything #chili #chicago

#questionoftheday #foodofinstagram #chicago #sloppyjoes

#questionoftheday #foodofinstagram #chicago #sloppyjoes

#family #chicago

#family #chicago

#questionoftheday #doctorsoffice #chicago

#questionoftheday #doctorsoffice #chicago

#beer #chicago

#beer #chicago

#taipei101 #freesolo #goals #chicago

#taipei101 #freesolo #goals #chicago

My painting for the Home Sweet Home: Nostalgia…ish 4 show opening this weekend! Curated by @chicagotruborn and @sub_urban_warrior and featuring so many amazing artists! Don’t miss the opening this Saturday 1/31 from 2 pm - 6 pm!

“Taking A Chance”
Acrylic and paint pen on thrift store print
17” x 19.5”

My painting for the Home Sweet Home: Nostalgia…ish 4 show opening this weekend! Curated by @chicagotruborn and @sub_urban_warrior and featuring so many amazing artists! Don’t miss the opening this Saturday 1/31 from 2 pm - 6 pm!

“Taking A Chance”
Acrylic and paint pen on thrift store print
17” x 19.5”

At 16 I watched The Big Lebowski for the first time and before the end credits I decided it was my favorite movie. As I got older, I fiercely maintained that it was my all time favorite, but over the years that felt arbitrary. How could I know my favorite movie when there were so many films I had never seen? So many that had yet to be made? Around the same time I had elected Big Lebowski emperor of all film, I decided to devote my life to improv. The only thing I wanted was to be performing, watching, teaching, or talking shop. When I stopped onstage performing in 2020, I felt the same skepticism I felt towards my love for Lebowski. How can I decide that this is all I am meant to do, when there is so much I haven’t embraced? What if I committed myself more to painting? When I abruptly stopped teaching in 2023, I once again asked myself, what if I tried something new? What if I gave a different opportunity a chance? If your artistic voice is shaped by your life experience, why not gain some new perspectives? Losing my teaching job was like having someone ruin my rug, and like Donny I was out of my element, but I am enjoying where this adventure is taking me.

“Portrait of Donny”
Acrylic and paint pen on canvas
16” x 20”
Available

#chicagoartist #biglebowski #portrait

At 16 I watched The Big Lebowski for the first time and before the end credits I decided it was my favorite movie. As I got older, I fiercely maintained that it was my all time favorite, but over the years that felt arbitrary. How could I know my favorite movie when there were so many films I had never seen? So many that had yet to be made? Around the same time I had elected Big Lebowski emperor of all film, I decided to devote my life to improv. The only thing I wanted was to be performing, watching, teaching, or talking shop. When I stopped onstage performing in 2020, I felt the same skepticism I felt towards my love for Lebowski. How can I decide that this is all I am meant to do, when there is so much I haven’t embraced? What if I committed myself more to painting? When I abruptly stopped teaching in 2023, I once again asked myself, what if I tried something new? What if I gave a different opportunity a chance? If your artistic voice is shaped by your life experience, why not gain some new perspectives? Losing my teaching job was like having someone ruin my rug, and like Donny I was out of my element, but I am enjoying where this adventure is taking me.

“Portrait of Donny”
Acrylic and paint pen on canvas
16” x 20”
Available

#chicagoartist #biglebowski #portrait

#videogames #healthandwellness #chicago

#videogames #healthandwellness #chicago

#advice #friendship #chicago

#advice #friendship #chicago

#health #winter #chicago

#health #winter #chicago

#winterstorm #frozen #chicago

#winterstorm #frozen #chicago

#winter #drinking #chicago

#winter #drinking #chicago

As a diehard Nirvana fan, it took decades to admit that Soundgarden is the definitive grunge band. Chris Cornell’s voice feels like the ambient noise of my childhood, whether that was with Soundgarden or Temple of the Dog. I refused to admit how much I enjoyed Audioslave while they were releasing music (because it was current and I was a dismissive teenager who only liked anyone’s “older stuff”), but now I listen to them with nostalgia. Whereas I hear Soundgarden and think about Seattle, I hear Audioslave and think about Wichita. Chris Cornell’s death affected me in a way I wasn’t prepared for. In my mind, to be touring the world and performing sold out shows would be the end all, be all. What more could you ask for? Growing older has taught me two things: fulfillment and peace don’t necessarily come from career goals, and that even if someone seems “successful” by your standards, you never really know what struggles they may be going through.

“Portrait of Chris”
Acrylic and paint pen on canvas
16” x 20”
Available

#chicagoartist #portrait #chriscornell

As a diehard Nirvana fan, it took decades to admit that Soundgarden is the definitive grunge band. Chris Cornell’s voice feels like the ambient noise of my childhood, whether that was with Soundgarden or Temple of the Dog. I refused to admit how much I enjoyed Audioslave while they were releasing music (because it was current and I was a dismissive teenager who only liked anyone’s “older stuff”), but now I listen to them with nostalgia. Whereas I hear Soundgarden and think about Seattle, I hear Audioslave and think about Wichita. Chris Cornell’s death affected me in a way I wasn’t prepared for. In my mind, to be touring the world and performing sold out shows would be the end all, be all. What more could you ask for? Growing older has taught me two things: fulfillment and peace don’t necessarily come from career goals, and that even if someone seems “successful” by your standards, you never really know what struggles they may be going through.

“Portrait of Chris”
Acrylic and paint pen on canvas
16” x 20”
Available

#chicagoartist #portrait #chriscornell

#winterstorm #extremecold #chicago

#winterstorm #extremecold #chicago

#quoteoftheday #mindsetmotivation #chicago

#quoteoftheday #mindsetmotivation #chicago

Andy Kaufman was a huge inspiration for me growing up. I loved his audacity and commitment to the bit. If a joke or character was interesting to him, that was enough of a reason to do it. As a creative both on and off stage, I found immense value in that. There is so much power in the ability to give yourself permission to create, especially if your work is not being well-received. As I’ve gotten older, I don’t necessarily subscribe to keeping your audience in the dark, and I am put off by performers who can’t “turn it off”, but I’ll always be grateful for the trailblazing work Andy Kaufman did.

“Portrait of Andy”
Acrylic and paint pen on canvas
16” x 20”
Sold

#chicagoartist #portrait #andykaufman #chicago

Andy Kaufman was a huge inspiration for me growing up. I loved his audacity and commitment to the bit. If a joke or character was interesting to him, that was enough of a reason to do it. As a creative both on and off stage, I found immense value in that. There is so much power in the ability to give yourself permission to create, especially if your work is not being well-received. As I’ve gotten older, I don’t necessarily subscribe to keeping your audience in the dark, and I am put off by performers who can’t “turn it off”, but I’ll always be grateful for the trailblazing work Andy Kaufman did.

“Portrait of Andy”
Acrylic and paint pen on canvas
16” x 20”
Sold

#chicagoartist #portrait #andykaufman #chicago

#restaurantweekchicago #chicagorestaurantweek #chicago

#restaurantweekchicago #chicagorestaurantweek #chicago

#taxes #financialstability #chicago

#taxes #financialstability #chicago

#petsofinsta #chicago #quotestoliveby

#petsofinsta #chicago #quotestoliveby

#cta #scentoftheday #chicago

#cta #scentoftheday #chicago

#mtg #financialstability #chicago

#mtg #financialstability #chicago

There was a time in my life where I’m pretty sure the only thing my dad could cook besides barbecue and French Toast was Hamburger Helper. He would put all sorts of aftermarket cheeses on them so no two were ever the same. It was like his artistic outlet. There are two types of food from your childhood - ones you revisit for nostalgia and those that you avoid. This is the latter.

“Portrait of Lefty”
Acrylic and paint pen on canvas
16” x 20”
Available

#chicagoartist #chicago #portrait

There was a time in my life where I’m pretty sure the only thing my dad could cook besides barbecue and French Toast was Hamburger Helper. He would put all sorts of aftermarket cheeses on them so no two were ever the same. It was like his artistic outlet. There are two types of food from your childhood - ones you revisit for nostalgia and those that you avoid. This is the latter.

“Portrait of Lefty”
Acrylic and paint pen on canvas
16” x 20”
Available

#chicagoartist #chicago #portrait

#healthy #deli #chicago

#healthy #deli #chicago

#millenial #chicago

#millenial #chicago

Growing up in Seattle, I loved the Sonics. When I moved to Wichita in 2003, I continued to tie my identity back to Seattle and the Sonics not only because it’s where I was from, but because Kansas didn’t have a professional basketball team. Five years later, the Sonics would also move thousands of miles away to the Great Plains and change their identity to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Instead of embracing the similarities to what I had experienced, I felt a resentment, like another piece of my past was being erased. I spent so many years fiercely trying to reconnect with the fact I “grew up” somewhere else, despite having a good life with great people in Kansas. These days when asked where I’m from, I say Wichita instead of Seattle, because it’s where I grew into the person I am today. Looking back now I wish I had embraced my time in Kansas with more pride, instead of always looking back to where I had been before.

“Portrait of Gary”
Acrylic and paint pen on canvas
16” x 20”
Available

#chicagoartist #art #portrait

Growing up in Seattle, I loved the Sonics. When I moved to Wichita in 2003, I continued to tie my identity back to Seattle and the Sonics not only because it’s where I was from, but because Kansas didn’t have a professional basketball team. Five years later, the Sonics would also move thousands of miles away to the Great Plains and change their identity to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Instead of embracing the similarities to what I had experienced, I felt a resentment, like another piece of my past was being erased. I spent so many years fiercely trying to reconnect with the fact I “grew up” somewhere else, despite having a good life with great people in Kansas. These days when asked where I’m from, I say Wichita instead of Seattle, because it’s where I grew into the person I am today. Looking back now I wish I had embraced my time in Kansas with more pride, instead of always looking back to where I had been before.

“Portrait of Gary”
Acrylic and paint pen on canvas
16” x 20”
Available

#chicagoartist #art #portrait

#xbox #gaming #chicago

#xbox #gaming #chicago

#chicago #bar #tamale

#chicago #bar #tamale

Skateboarding and video games have been an invaluable part of my life. Being a child of divorce meant moving to different neighborhoods, which meant meeting new kids. Sometimes that happened, other times it didn’t. When I was 12, we moved from Seattle to Wichita, which meant uprooting everything I knew and meeting an entirely new group of people. No matter where I was, skating was one thing that I could always do, whether in a group or by myself. As long as there was a little patch of concrete, I could keep myself busy. And on days when it was too cold or wet to skate, I could always play Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, by myself or with friends. To this day it’s the main activity my brothers and I do to keep in touch, and I am also incredibly grateful that it exposed me to so much amazing music at a young age. Because of this, there was no doubt that I wanted to paint a Tony Hawk portrait for this series.

“Portrait of Tony”
Acrylic and paint pen on canvas
16” x 20”
Sold

#chicagoartist #portrait #skateboarding @tonyhawk

Skateboarding and video games have been an invaluable part of my life. Being a child of divorce meant moving to different neighborhoods, which meant meeting new kids. Sometimes that happened, other times it didn’t. When I was 12, we moved from Seattle to Wichita, which meant uprooting everything I knew and meeting an entirely new group of people. No matter where I was, skating was one thing that I could always do, whether in a group or by myself. As long as there was a little patch of concrete, I could keep myself busy. And on days when it was too cold or wet to skate, I could always play Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, by myself or with friends. To this day it’s the main activity my brothers and I do to keep in touch, and I am also incredibly grateful that it exposed me to so much amazing music at a young age. Because of this, there was no doubt that I wanted to paint a Tony Hawk portrait for this series.

“Portrait of Tony”
Acrylic and paint pen on canvas
16” x 20”
Sold

#chicagoartist #portrait #skateboarding @tonyhawk

#fultonmarket #foodofinstagram #chicago

#fultonmarket #foodofinstagram #chicago

#bar #trivia #chicago #barsofinstagram

#bar #trivia #chicago #barsofinstagram

I have always had a soft spot for Arnold Schwarzenegger movies (mainly Terminator 2, Commando, and Predator). No matter how many times I watch them, I still get such a kick out of his character’s punches and punchlines. This painting is the first in a series of portraits of people and characters that have influenced me.

“Portrait of Arnold”
Acrylic and paint pen on canvas
16” x 20”
Available

#portrait #arnoldschwarzenegger #chicago #chicagoartist

I have always had a soft spot for Arnold Schwarzenegger movies (mainly Terminator 2, Commando, and Predator). No matter how many times I watch them, I still get such a kick out of his character’s punches and punchlines. This painting is the first in a series of portraits of people and characters that have influenced me.

“Portrait of Arnold”
Acrylic and paint pen on canvas
16” x 20”
Available

#portrait #arnoldschwarzenegger #chicago #chicagoartist

#vegetarian #hunter #bumpersticker #chicago

#vegetarian #hunter #bumpersticker #chicago

#careeradvice #anime #chicago

#careeradvice #anime #chicago

So stoked to be showing a painting in “Home Sweet Home: Nostalgia…ish 4” curated by @chicagotruborn and @sub_urban_warrior !! Don’t miss the opening Saturday 1/31 2 pm - 6 pm!

#chicago #chicagoartist #upcycled

So stoked to be showing a painting in “Home Sweet Home: Nostalgia…ish 4” curated by @chicagotruborn and @sub_urban_warrior !! Don’t miss the opening Saturday 1/31 2 pm - 6 pm!

#chicago #chicagoartist #upcycled

#awarenessmatters #careeradvice #chicago

#awarenessmatters #careeradvice #chicago

Acrylic and paint pen on menu, painted frame
12” x 15”
Available

#chicago #chicagoartist #pizza

Acrylic and paint pen on menu, painted frame
12” x 15”
Available

#chicago #chicagoartist #pizza

Acrylic and paint pen on thrift store print
16” x 12”
Available

#chicago #chicagoartist

Acrylic and paint pen on thrift store print
16” x 12”
Available

#chicago #chicagoartist

#petpeeve #chicago

#petpeeve #chicago

#bourbonlife #bourbonhunter #whiskey #chicago #bourbonfinds

#bourbonlife #bourbonhunter #whiskey #chicago #bourbonfinds

#fashion #chicago #laundry

#fashion #chicago #laundry

#careeradvice #wellness #chicago

#careeradvice #wellness #chicago

#breakingnews #chicago

#breakingnews #chicago

.pro-gallery-wix-wrapper {display: block !important;} .pro-gallery-wix-wrapper .gallery-item-container {opacity: 1 !important; display: block !important;}

Follow me on Instagram

bottom of page