I Swim For Life ~ A Self-Portrait #515Z Pen & Ink Drawing • Condren Galleries

Photograph of artist Stephen F. Condren in swimming briefs at LA Fitness, in Round Lake Beach, Illinois 60073, with prints and scans.

I swim for life #515Z, self-portrait photo, and pen & ink drawing with pencil contour lines, by artist, and Veteran, Stephen F. Condren, of Condren Galleries, a Fine Arts Gallery. Prints & Scans Available.

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I swim for life ~ A Self-Portrait #515Z

Fitness For A Better And Longer Lasting Life

I grew up in the Jackson Park Highlands, of South Shore, because it was near Lake Michigan. As a child I first leaned to swim at the South Shore Country Club, in South Shore, Chicago, because our family were members of the club. The club had a beautiful beach, because it was on the shores of Lake Michigan. Here is where I first learned to swim. When I started Grammar School, dad had us take swimming lessons at the Chicago Athletic Association in downtown Chicago, on Michigan Avenue, because dad was a member.

Pedigree

The Condren’s

My grandfather was Dr. Francis Leo Condren, a successful dentist with offices in the Pittsfield Building, in downtown Chicago. My father, James Corwin Condren, was an attorney, and owned Favor Ruhl & Watson art supply company at 10 S. Wabash Avenue, in downtown Chicago. Dad also owned the entire Silversmith’s Building at 10 S. Wabash, which housed Favor Ruhl.

The Dunn’s

My grandfather was Philip John Dunn, owner of the Dunn Coal & Oil Company, in Chicago. Beulah Clark was my grandmother, and she was a model, and beauty queen, because she was Miss Chicago in 1920. They lived in the duplex-penthouse, overlooking Lake Michigan, on Stratford & Lake Shore Drive, in Lakeview, Chicago, where my mother Beulah Mae Dunn grew up. Mom attended, and graduated from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish on Belmont. My parents were married in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church.

Self-portrait of artist Stephen F. Condren, in pen & ink.

Chicago Athletic Association Junior Members

Saturday Schedule

At 9:00 AM, on Saturday mornings, we junior members would be at the pool and were given private swimming lessons, because we were there to learn how to swim. After the swimming lessons we then went up to the gym to exercise, then at 11:30 AM we went to the main dining room for lunch. The Main Dining Room was very grand because it overlooked Grant Park on Michigan Avenue. The club has since become a hotel call the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, because it is housed in the club’s building.

Pencil Rendering For

Below is a pen & ink drawing that I did of myself at LA Fitness, because I was working out. I swim a non-stop mile every day, because I want to live a long, and healthy life. At the end of each lap I do a somersault, and flip over resuming my swim, because it keeps my momentum going. No exercise is better for you than swimming, because it expands your lungs, and gives you more air. Your heart, brain, and lungs get more oxygen, and thus are more healthy.

Sex, Drugs, Liquor, Smoking

I have never had an STI, nor will I have any, because I do not sex-up. Drugs mean nothing to me, and I have never done drugs in my life, nor will I ever, because they are repulsive to me. I do not drink, because I am allergic to alcohol. I have never smoked in my life, because my mother warned me about smoking.

Because I Swim Everyday

I am fit, and trim, because I swim everyday. When ever I have a cut, scratch, or injury it heals quickly, because I swim every day. I run, and move quickly all day long, because I swim everyday. All day long I am never short of breath, because I swim everyday. I sleep well at night, because I swim everyday. During the day I am never tired, because I swim everyday. I always have energy, because I swim everyday.

LA Fitness

Now that I live in Lake County, Illinois, I have joined LA Fitness, because it is located in Round Lake Beach, IL. I have been a member for over two years here, and it is the greatest place to be, because they take excellent care of the facilities, and the staff is outstanding.

Photos

At the top is a photo of me just coming in from my daily swim at LA Fitness, in Round Lake Beach, Illinois, because I am ready to shower, and change. I swim a non-stop mile everyday, and do somersaults at the end of the lane so as to keep my motions continuous. LA Fitness is the best, and I am glad to have joined. The photos at the bottom are of me at the pool in LA Fitness in Round Lake Beach, IL.