PROVEN LOLLYGAGGERS
A solo exhibition of
MJ Lounsberry
Ro Art Services is excited to announce Proven Lollygaggers, an exhibition of MJ Lounsberry. Following her online exhibition Happyology, this marks the first solo exhibition for both Lounsberry and Ro Art Services, and coincides with our first book release: MJ Lounsberry’s Collected Sketchbooks, Vol. I: 1-3, 2024. The book release will be a first edition print of 10, with each book containing 80 Risograph prints, a hand drawn work by Lounsberry, and forward by Michelle Grabner.
Preparing for the exhibition - which always feels like more of a mad dash than I expect - had the added dramatics of not only submitting our book to the printer, but also an election whose ominous shadow had already hung over the country for much of the past year. It is strange to work on a moment knowing the context will be so far out of one’s control. Will the book be done? Who will the president be? How will this work be seen. But going through the range of possibilities, I thought regardless of what happened, MJ would match the moment. Her work is not a response to any moment in time, but represents a prolonged dedication to a way of moving through time.
For some reason, it feels there has been a collective decision on what requires time. Committing to journeys of self-discovery. Extended trials and tribulations we call an odyssey. The words “warfare” and “lawfare” acknowledge their states as commitments of time, quite literally being wretchedly themed expeditions to be undertaken. Other things we attach words like “momentary,” “fleeting,” or “occasion.” We do not have a common vocabulary for equally prolonged states of ecstasy; “Joyfare” is not a word. Lollygagging’s origin was one of derision, a criticism of aimless indulgence in play and love.
The word’s origin seemed to imply joyful activities should be confined to an event, yet there is no such expectation for depression. While not a unique observation, it has been something of a preoccupation for me - perhaps due to my occupation. Walking through a museum, one finds a prevalence of somber, serious, poignant, thoughtful even flashy works. Moments of indulgence and the gregarious peek through, winks of humor and sparks of play. But in museums surveying art history, how often do you walk into a room and feel pervasive themes of joy or unbridled happiness? It seems so strange to me, as art can be anything we want it to be; it’s an occupation where we invent the terms of our success and choose the way to spend our time.
I remember walking into MJ’s studio for the first time. She pointed to a large painting. “That one’s the newest. Do you like it?” And without stopping, “I think it’s the best painting I ever made.” Something about the way she said it caught me off guard, delighted me. As we continued looking through her paintings, I would hear her say in serious tones, “That’s a really good painting,” again and again. Against any expectation, I enjoyed it the more she said it.
I did not feel her braggadocious in these moments, but rather heard them as sincere announcements of her enjoying the work she makes. Maybe that helps explain her devotion to her practice, which presents as a disciplined presence in the studio. And while I had totally imagined that explanation, I liked it. I like artists that enjoy making their work, and whose work I enjoy, and can fill me with joy. In a time when it feels so many forces suck our energy dry, MJ’s work presents a resilient and persistent source of happiness, connection, and enthusiasm.
MJ’s world is one of joyful pursuits, where figures wander through utopian settings of perpetual play. And yet there is a devotion to earned pleasure: painting, playing an instrument, playing sports, forming connection with another. These are tasks requiring time, effort and discipline, but you do not feel the weight of effort behind the her achievement. MJ’s paintings similarly do not burden us with expectations or struggle. Their scale and confidence present dedication and passion, but arrive at their destination unweary. Her work presents a journey made under the banner of a devotion to happiness, which only brings energy the longer she travels.
-ro
MJ Lounsberry (b. 1996, Waterloo, IA) lives and works in Chicago, IL. She received her BFA (2017) and MFA (2023) from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Primarily focused on painting and drawing, Lounsberry’s work builds and collapses utopian figurative narratives delving into nature, athletics, and spirituality. Lounsberry has exhibited at Rhona Hoffman, Chicago IL; Goldfinch, Chicago, IL; and Baby Blue, Chicago, IL. She is the recipient of the SAIC Leon W Guggenheim Scholarship 2021.
Inventory
Sort by:
Marina Ross
Unusual Weather 3
2024,
9 in x 12 in
Oil on linen
Marina Ross
Unusual Weather 2
2024,
9 in x 12 in
Oil on linen
Marina Ross
Unusual Weather 1
2024,
9 in x 12 in
Oil on linen
Marina Ross
Purple Poppies
2024,
30 in x 24 in
Oil on panel
Marina Ross
Flashback
2024,
33 in x 18.75 in
Oil on linen
Madeline Gallucci
Wait
2023,
1.5 in x 42.25 in x 51 in
Acrylic and oil on canvas
Madeline Gallucci
Swim
2022,
30 in x 40 in
Acrylic and oil on canvas
Madeline Gallucci
Spammer
2023,
18 in x 24 in
Acrylic on canvas
Madeline Gallucci
Mirror (August)
2022,
30 in x 40 in
Acrylic, oil and pastel on canvas
Madeline Gallucci
Small Risk
2024,
18 in x 24 in
Acrylic and oil on gessoed muslin
Madeline Gallucci
Scam World
2023,
30 in x 40 in
Acrylic and oil on canvas
Madeline Gallucci
SAVE
2024,
18 in x 24 in
Acrylic and oil on gessoed muslin
Madeline Gallucci
Mirror (Sorry)
2022,
42 in x 56 in
Acrylic and ink on gessoed paper, framed.
Madeline Gallucci
Mourn
2024,
18 in x 24 in
Acrylic and oil on gessoed muslin
Madeline Gallucci
Moonwatch
2023,
30 in x 40 in
Acrylic and oil on canvas
Madeline Gallucci
Miss
2023,
30 in x 40 in
Acrylic and oil on canvas
Madeline Gallucci
Mirror (Soaps)
2022,
45 in x 55 in
Acrylic and oil on gessoed paper, framed
Madeline Gallucci
Loss
2023,
30 in x 40 in
Acrylic and oil on canvas
Madeline Gallucci
Likely
2024,
18 in x 24 in
Acrylic and oil on canvas
Madeline Gallucci
Fallover
2023,
30 in x 40 in
Acrylic and oil on canvas
Madeline Gallucci
Champagne on the Rocks
2023,
30 in x 40 in
Acrylic and oil on canvas
Leslie Baum
shaping the day-tn, bk, and dmc
2018,
21 in x 32 in
Acrylic on canvas
Leslie Baum
shaping the day-rbs, lmb, and dpam
2021,
28 in x 38 in
Acrylic on canvas
Leslie Baum
shaping the day - ct and lmb
2019,
36 in x 29 in
Acrylic on canvas
Leslie Baum
shaping the day-ahm, ah, dg
2022,
48 in x 42 in
Acrylic on canvas
Leslie Baum
a garden in a vase-10.07.20
2020,
18 in x 24 in
Acrylic on canvas
Leslie Baum
a garden in a vase-7.27.20
2020,
18 in x 24 in
Acrylic on canvas
Leslie Baum
a garden in a vase - 4.14.21
2021,
22 in x 31.5 in
Acrylic on canvas
Leslie Baum
a garden in a vase-3.2.21
2021,
22 in x 31.5 in
Acrylic on canvas
Journie Cirdain
Locus (Hoard)
2023,
12.5 in x 12.5 in
Graphite on paper on tondo panel
Journie Cirdain
Locus (Tiger Lily)
2022,
22.5 in x 22.5 in
Graphite on paper on panel
Journie Cirdain
Locus (Persephone)
2022,
22.5 in x 22.5 in
Graphite on paper on panel
Journie Cirdain
Pricked
2024,
8 in x 11 in
Graphite on paper (framed)
Journie Cirdain
Snip
2024,
8 in x 11 in
Graphite on paper (framed)
Jennifer Sullivan
Mirror Bed
2018,
46 in x 46 in
Oil and oil stick on canvas
Jennifer Sullivan
Love Streams
2023,
25 in x 20 in
Acrylic on canvas
Jennifer Sullivan
Pink Moment
2023,
20 in x 25 in
Oil on Canvas
Jennifer Sullivan
Kintsugi in Blue
2023,
11 in x 14 in
Oil on canvas
Jennifer Sullivan
I Sit Upskirt, I Don’t Have Much to Lose
2023,
11 in x 14 in
Oil on canvas
Jennifer Sullivan
Almost Victorian with You
2023,
11 in x 14 in
Oil on canvas
Christina Ballantyne
A change at the heart of who they are
2024,
22 in x 22 in
Oil and polyfill on canvas
Christina Ballantyne
Traversing
2024,
20 in x 24 in
Oil and polyfill on canvas
Christina Ballantyne
Wisdom Pearl
2023,
11 in x 14 in
Oil and polyfill on canvas
Christina Ballantyne
I'm Waiting For You
2023,
11 in x 14 in
Oil and polyfill on canvas
Christina Ballantyne
Illuminated by You
2024,
24 in x 20 in
Oil and polyfill on canvas
Christina Ballantyne
Who happens when we’re together
2023,
36 in x 48 in
Oil, polyfill, palette knife on canvas
Christina Ballantyne
Stop and Listen
2024,
20 in x 24 in
Oil and polyfill on canvas
Christina Ballantyne
Wives I
2024,
3 in x 3.5 in x 5 in
Casein paint and oil on basswood
Christina Ballantyne
Corner Keeper
2024,
2.5 in x 2.5 in x 5 in
Casein paint and oil on basswood
Ricardo Partida
Vamp
2024,
18 in x 24 in
Oil on Canvas
Ricardo Partida
Work Study
2024,
16 in x 20 in
Oil on Canvas
Ricardo Partida
Emergency Contact
2024,
36 in x 48 in
Oil on Canvas
Peter Fagundo
She Sells Sanctuary
2023,
36 in x 48 in
Oil on canvas
Peter Fagundo
Just Getting into New Order
2023,
16 in x 20 in
Oil on canvas
Peter Fagundo
From the Top
2024,
48 in x 60 in
Oil on unprimed canvas
Peter Fagundo
Waving Head II
2022,
30 in x 24 in
Oil on canvas
Peter Fagundo
Dumb White Guy
2022,
24 in x 18 in
Oil on canvas
Peter Fagundo
Dumb White Guy Waving II
2022,
30 in x 24 in
Oil on canvas
Peter Fagundo
Rise
2023,
30 in x 40 in
Oil on canvas
Peter Fagundo
Both Sides Now
2023,
30 in x 40 in
Oil on canvas
MJ Lounsberry
Two Ladies under Painting of Three Musicians
2024,
74 in x 68 in
Oil on canvas
MJ Lounsberry
Trumpeter #2 (Tan Lines)
2024,
16 in x 20 in
Oil on canvas
MJ Lounsberry
Trumpeter #1
2024,
16 in x 20 in
Oil on canvas
MJ Lounsberry
Trumpet at Night
2023,
46 in x 42 in
Oil on canvas
MJ Lounsberry
Two Lovers around Campfire listening to Two Trumpeters
2023,
70 in x 66 in
Oil on canvas
MJ Lounsberry
Painters Red Studio
2024,
74 in x 62 in
Oil on canvas
MJ Lounsberry
Untitled (Lovers under Music)
2024,
46 in x 50 in
Oil on canvas
MJ Lounsberry
Halftime Lovers with Music
2024,
61 in x 98 in
Oil on canvas
MJ Lounsberry
Three Lovers between Two Campfires Listening to Two Trumpets
2023,
80 in x 66 in
Oil on canvas
MJ Lounsberry
Doubleheader after 'Dance'
2024,
124 in x 74 in
Oil on canvas (diptych)
MJ Lounsberry
Hand 3
2024,
8 in x 8 in
Oil on canvas
MJ Lounsberry
Piccolo 2
2024,
12 in x 12 in
Oil on canvas
MJ Lounsberry
Piccolo 1
2024,
14 in x 11 in
Oil on canvas
MJ Lounsberry
Kissing Plum Brandy at the Met
2024,
42 in x 46 in
Oil on canvas
MJ Lounsberry
Skier Girl
2022,
60 in x 64 in
Oil on canvas
MJ Lounsberry
Weightlifters
2022,
72 in x 66 in
Oil on canvas
MJ Lounsberry
Three Pairs of Lovers around Campfire
2022,
84 in x 54 in
Oil on canvas
MJ Lounsberry
In a Forest Being Stretched upwards
2021,
60 in x 60 in
Oil on canvas
MJ Lounsberry
Campfire Lovers (Midnight)
2023,
70 in x 66 in
Oil on canvas
MJ Lounsberry
Baseball Girl
2022,
62 in x 74 in
Oil on canvas
MJ Lounsberry
At Sunset
2024,
52 in x 49 in
Oil on canvas
Mel Cook
Bridled Tongue
2023,
18 in x 24 in
Oil on Canvas
Mel Cook
Spectral Rage
2024,
30 in x 40 in
Oil on Canvas
Mel Cook
The Genesis of Language
2023,
18 in x 24 in
Oil on Canvas
Mel Cook
A Sound for Lost Prophets
2023,
18 in x 24 in
Oil on Canvas
Madeline Gallucci
Mirror (Lover's Woods)
2022,
30 in x 40 in
Acrylic and oil on canvas
Madeline Gallucci
Mirror (Rosters)
2022,
30 in x 40 in
Acrylic, oil and ink on canvas
Ricardo Partida
Up All Night
2022,
27 in x 38 in
Oil on canvas
Michael Lopez
Sea of Love/Angel Face/Star 80/Powder
2023,
13 in x 9 in x 10.5 in
Plaster, foam, fabric, elastic, acrylic, gold leaf
Jennifer Sullivan
Queenie Emerging
2023,
20 in x 25 in
Oil on canvas
Peter Fagundo
Composition #13
2016
48 in. x 36 in.
Oil on canvas
Assaf Evron
Words were already taking hold of him
2024,
20 x 24 in
Framed archival print on metallic rag, artist-cut mat, unique
Assaf Evron
Untitled
2024,
20 x 24 in
Framed archival print on metallic rag, artist-cut mat, unique
Assaf Evron
Images petrified her
2024,
20 x 24 in
Framed archival print on metallic rag, artist-cut mat, unique
Assaf Evron
Untitled
2024,
20 x 24 in
Framed archival print on metallic rag, artist-cut mat, unique
Assaf Evron
A Sad and Insatiable Curiosity
2024,
20 x 24 in
Framed archival print on metallic rag, artist-cut mat, unique
Assaf Evron
Transfigured but trivial character
2024,
20 x 24 in
Framed archival print on metallic rag, artist-cut mat, unique
Assaf Evron
Untitled
2024,
20 x 24 in
Framed archival print on metallic rag, artist-cut mat, unique
Assaf Evron
The Sweet Field of Human Contact
2024,
20 x 24 in
Framed archival print on metallic rag, artist-cut mat, unique
Assaf Evron
Bodies floating with difficulty
2024,
20 x 24 in
Framed archival print on metallic rag, artist-cut mat, unique
Assaf Evron
Untitled
2024,
20 x 24 in
Framed archival print on metallic rag, artist-cut mat, unique
David Sprecher
Skull of Jericho
2024,
5.5 x 7.5 in
Void
David Sprecher
Cantaloupe
2024,
6 x 6 in
Void
Jeff Prokash
This Building Is an Ocean
2024,
Dimensions variable
3-Channel video available in multiple resolution formats ; installation options available
Jeff Prokash
This Building Is an Ocean
2024,
14 x 20 x 5 in
Limestone
Jeff Prokash
This Building Is an Ocean
2024,
17 x 22 x 7 in
Limestone, plastic bottle, hydrated lime
Devin T. Mays
Untitled
2024,
13 x 14 x 4.5 in
Sand, plastic bags ; dimensions variable
Devin T. Mays
Untitled
2024,
40 x 46 x 4.5
Sand, plastic bags ; dimensions variable
Devin T. Mays
Description
2024,
20 x 2 in
Duct tape
MJ Lounsberry
Lollygaggers
2024,
120 x 60 in
Oil on Canvas
MJ Lounsberry
Groovin High
2024,
74.25 x 68.25 in
Oil on Canvas
MJ Lounsberry
Never Felt This Strange Before
2024,
49 x 52 in
Oil on Canvas
Christina Ballantyne
Wives III
2024,
3 x 4 x 5 in.
Casein and oil on basswood
Assaf Evron
I Want to Believe Sea Cucumbers are Happy (GOPR4964.JPG)
2023,
5 x 7 in. print, 11 x 14 in aluminum frame with optimum acrylic glazing
Digital Silver Gelatin Print
Dom Smith
J.K. Lilly Jr.
2025,
36 x 48 in.
Oil and charcoal on nylon
Leasho Johnson
Pinchers
2025,
11.75 x 14.5 in.
Logwood dye, charcoal, acrylic, water color, oil, and gold foil on paper and canvas
Leasho Johnson
You Who Look, Not To Be Held, But To Know
2023,
27 x 35 in.
Logwood dye, charcoal, acrylic, water color, oil, and gold foil on paper and canvas
Leslie Baum
time being, ac & lmb
2025,
17 x 22 in.
Acrylic gouache, acrylic, and flashe on canvas
Leslie Baum
time being, fw & lmb
2025,
17 x 22 in.
Acrylic gouache, acrylic, and flashe on canvas
Leslie Baum
Unknown, Garden in a vase
2025,
(4x) 7 x 10 in. drawings, 23 x 29.5 in. framed with optimum acrylic glazing.
Water color on paper
Martha Poggioli
Hers (US10,687,977 B1)
2022,
15.5 x 7.5
Carbon transfer in cast silicone, aluminum, cast
plexiglass, cast.
Martha Poggioli
Kafka's Cap Method (US1093993)
2020,
34 x 2.5 x 17.5 in.
Cast iron and brass
Marzena Abrahamik
Jordan & Monica
2016,
24 x 31.5 in (framed)
Archival Inkjet Print, edition 1 of 5
MJ Lounsberry
painter laying on rug smoking
2024,
12.25 x 14.75 in.
Ink on paper
MJ Lounsberry
listening and smoking
2024,
12.25 x 14.75 in.
Ink on paper
Peter Fagundo
Creep Guy III
2022,
20 x 16 in.
Oil on canvas
Peter Fagundo
Creep Guy II
2022,
20 x 16 in.
Oil on canvas
Ricardo Partida
Seize and Control (I Belong to You)
2025,
18 x 24 in.
Oil on canvas
Jaqueline Cedar
Body Back
2025,
12 x 9 in.
Acrylic on canvas
Jaqueline Cedar
Mirroring
2025,
14 x 11 in.
Acrylic on canvas
MJ Lounsberry
Singing Summertime in Love
2025,
18 x 24 in.
Oil on canvas
600 - 1250
1250 - 2500
2500 - 4200
4200 - 7500
7500 - 11500
11,500 - 18000
18000 - 28000
28,000 +
POR
Unavailable