"When the New York Yankees came to town in 2003, Quillian's long-time neighborhood friend,
former Mets lead scout, Hank Lott set Quillian up with a seat right behind home plate. The evening
of the eventful game Lott introduced Quillian to the legendary, Ernie "Mr. Cubs" Banks.  It was
through this meeting that Quillian gained inspiration for the painting SWEET SUMMER CHICAGO,
as Quillian and Banks both expressed their mutual love for Wrigley and "the Friendly Confines" in
the summer time. Though Lott urged Quillian to paint a dedicated baseball subject, Quillian elected
to celebrate Chicago's favorite season with adding some imagery from the historic ballpark and
capturing that sweet summer time feeling."