Tom Novak is the featured artist for September at Royal Artisan. His show opens Friday, Sept. 2.

Nearly 50 years has passed since Tom Novak graduated from the Art Institute of Chicago, and today you can still find him in the studio, a paintbrush in hand.

His style has changed over the years — especially after chemotherapy made it hard to control a brush to create fine details.

“I realized I can still paint — I just have to use two hands,” he said. “And I just love to paint.”

Novak will show his latest work at Royal Artisan in September, starting with a reception on Friday, Sept. 2. He will give a talk at 6 p.m.

His selections will include figurative pieces inspired during figure drawing classes at Churchill School. To create these, he drew without looking much at the paper, then turned the sketch into a caricaturish style painting.

“For me, it’s such fun,” he said. “They’re close but not quite cartoons.”

His other paintings are inspired by gnarled roots he’s collected — these works are like a slice of nature, with trunk above the ground, grass at ground level and the twisted roots beneath.

“You don’t see some of this — it’s under the ground,” he said. “I’m painting so you can peek underneath.”

Also, D’Club L’Eveque will play starting at 5:30 p.m. The music style is Americana with songs and entertainment featuring duets by Debbie Friedman and John Woodard, who have released their fourth CD.

Crossroads

The 24th annual Open Regional Show returns to Crossroads Carnegie Art Center, 2020 Auburn Ave., with an opening reception Friday, Sept. 2, 5:30-8 p.m.

The evening features music by Nancy Ames and Kathy Mezger, and a gift certificate drawing for Mad Habit Boutique.

This open show features a variety of work, including pastels, watercolor, sculptures, photography, woodwork and more. Visitors can cast a vote for “People’s Choice,” and prizes will also be awarded for “Most Realistic Watercolor” and “Best Pastel.”

The show is judged by Bonnie Zahn Griffith.

White House Art and Design Company

For First Friday, White House Art and Design, 1829 Main St., will feature guest artist Wesley Bryant and his creations of wire-wrapped stone jewelry. The reception will be from 5-8 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

The Cheese Fairy

The Cheese Fairy, 1937 Main St., is displaying quilts that will be auctioned virtually on Sept. 18 to support the Baker Relief Nursery. This “Storybook Quilts” fundraiser features quilts made by Pat Brougham and a matching classic storybook.

Churchill

Richard Springer will present a series of mixed media paintings at Churchill this September, beginning with an opening on Sept 2, 5:30 p.m.

The show is titled “Macabre.” Springer described his work as: “based in the Hot Lakes Hotel, it examines the gravity of a haunt and a young woman’s struggle to retain her physical being during a stay there.”

Ruffled Feathers Boutique

Ruffled Feathers, 2015 First St., features a variety of local artists and artisans. The shop will stay open until 7 p.m. for the First Friday art walk.

Anders Gallery

Anders Gallery, 1802 Main St., will feature Judith Stoffer’s series of original oil paintings in a show titled “Pareidolia.” An artist’s reception is set for Friday, Sept. 2, 6 p.m.

Sunn Juice + Decor

Sunn, 1917 Main St., features a science fiction show with Oliver St. Cyr, 5-8 p.m.