Beneath the Skyway

2018, Oil on Hardboard, 10"x 14"

Scenes From a Train

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This is a painting of the Pulaski Skyway, in New Jersey, as it passes over the Amtrak rails. I painted a smaller version of this scene several years ago. The structures then were relatively pristine. Not only was there no graffiti but the concrete was was smooth and seemed unscathed by whatever makes them scathed. It just shows how tenuous our infrastructure really is. 

This paining, along with three others will be included in the upcoming group exhibition, City Limits, at Principle Gallery, in Alexandria. The Opening Reception is Friday, April 13, 2018, 6:30-9 PM. 

When Learning a New Language...

2018, Oil on Hardboard, 6"x 8"

Scenes From a Train

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I painted this bridge several years ago when the structures were almost pristine. Time does the same thing to infrastructure as it does to faces. It just does it more quickly.

Indigo Skies

2014-16, Oil on Hardboard, 5"x 7"

Scenes From a Train

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This is a painting from my series, Scenes From a Train that I originally put aside. Not because I didn't like it but because all attempts to photograph it had failed miserably. It is so dark that light from any source would lay across it terribly uneven. It wasn't until Gamblin came out with their new picture varnish, Gamvar Satin. that it could be seen well enough by my camera to render it faithfully. Three cheers go out to Gamblin, and to their R & D department.

Last Gasp

2016, Oil on Hardboard, 5"x 7"

Scenes From a Train

#214

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The golden hour returns. The early evening light from the low sun sheds a beautiful golden light and long, high shadows on everything that it touches. Unfortunately this WPA relic is no longer standing. Time, weather and neglect had finally taken its toll. The sun finally set.

Saving The WPA

2015, Oil on Hardboard. 5"x 7"

Scenes From a Train

#201

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I've always been fascinated by the WPA creations that dot this country's landscape, especially the bridges. Many of the people who took part in the WPA were artists and their influence can be seen in the design details of every one of these structures. This bridge was probably built in the late 1930's and it shows, but the details on the upper retaining wall structure show just how important aesthetics were back then. Even on a bridge whose audience would consist mainly of a handful of railroad engineers. It says to us, "Everyone is important." The support columns are from a much later renovation, and they tell us, "There's no money in the budget for pretty."

Trestle Rust

2015, Oil on Hardboard, 5"x 7"

Scenes From a a Train
#200

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Today's painting is another from my series, Scenes From a Train. I thought that a snow scene might be kind of refreshing right about now.

Sands of New Jersey

2015, Oil on Hardboard, 5"x 5"

Scenes From a Train

#191

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This seemed to be a comination of the last two small paintings yhat I've done (water tower, smaoke stack, etc.). It had the added bonus of having heavy earthmoving equipment and mountains of sand.

Newark at Dusk

2015, Oil on Canvas, 10"x 20"

Scenes From a Train

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This is one of those scenes that epitomizes just how contrary the landscape can be along the railways.

Stack

2015, Oil on Hardboard, 5"x 5"

Scenes From a Train

#190

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One of the more impressive buildings along the rails. I'm afraid to find out what it's currantly being used for.

Forgotten

2015, Oil on Hardboard, 7"x 5"

Scenes From a Train

#189

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Just one of the many water towers along the tracks, each in various degrees of decomposition and natural reclamation. 

Power

2015, Oil on Hardboard, 5"x 5"

Scenes From a Train

#187

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Just one of the many Amtrak power stations along the Harrisburg to NYC route. I've enjoyed working with the images from this visit. The return trip was primarily during the golden hour. Lots of great shadows and that magnificent amber light.

From the Shadows

2015, Oil on Hardboard, 5"x 7"

Scenes From a Train

#185

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This is just outside of Newark Station. This is easily becoming my favorite train station.

Over The Tracks

2015, Oil on Hardboard, 3"x 7"

Scenes From a Train

#184

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When taking Amtrak to NYC this is the last vista seen before entering the Hudson River tunnel.

Only a Matter of Time

2014, Oil on Hardboard, 5"x 7"

Scenes From a Train

#183

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For the past couple of years I have been chronicling the nations crumbling infrastructure, at least what is in my corridor. This has been good for me. It has given me direction and focus. However, Sometimes I come across scenes that remind me of just how precarious train travel really is.

Station Shadows, 2

2014, Oil on Hardboard, 5"x 7"

Scenes From a Train

#181

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This is a painting of the train platform at the Harrisburg Train Station, in Harrisburg, PA. I spend so much time painting alone in my studio that I never really know if what I'm painting will make sense to all of you. I know what was there, but am including enough visual information for the viewer to figure it all out. Don't get me wrong, I love that there's a bit of ambiguity, but like any good mystery novel there has to be enough in place to solve it. Or in this case, to be able to understand just what the hell all that blue stuff is in the middle.

Golden Arches

2014, Oil on Hardboard, 7"x 5"

Scenes From a Train

#182

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Riding the train in late afternoon at this time of year is a great opportunity to photograph all of the decaying infrastructure during the golden hour, that time when the sun is still above the horizon but only its warmer orange light is getting through. In contrast, shadows seem that much more blue and violet. Compliments at their finest.

Bridge System, Jersey Style

2014, Oil on Hardboard, 5"x 7"

Scenes From a Train

#180

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This is one of those scenes that you run across as you're train nears a rail hub, in this case Newark. I was drawn to the blinding sun pushing its way through the steel lattice work, and in doing so, pushing all of that valuable negative space.

Starlight Auto

2014, Oil on Hardboard, 5"x 7"

Scenes From a Train

#179

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Along the tracks just outside of Philadelphia. This is a wedge shaped building that I've been watching over time, though not long enough to have chronicled the fading of the original graphics painted on its back. It's like watching an hour hand move.

The Replacement

2014, Oil on Hardboard, 5"x 7"

Scenes From a Train

#178

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I'm back after a long hiatus due to illness. This was truly the lost summer. Hopefully I can resume my painting schedule and try to get back to "daily" painting.

This is a scene from the Amtrak line going to NYC. I was drawn the thin band of light streaming through between the two bridges. Aside from the obvious tonal contrast, there is a distinct contrast in age between the to spans. Painting old concrete never gets old.

The Ramp

2014, Oil on Hardboard, 5"x 7"

Scenes From a Train

#175

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Another painting of the beautiful Newark Station. This is a scene looking up toward the skylights, obviously, and maybe not as obviously is the pedestrian ramp leading to the platform. For me, this series never gets old.