'Bridgeness'

It becomes apparent immediately that if I'm trying to paint something as complex as this bridge, I cannot paint the details, just a semblance.  Squint and paint the shapes that seem to be visible.  Try to capture the 'bridgeness'.  9x12 inches, oil on panel, charcoal pencil on paper.

Monument Square

 Main Street from Monument Square in North Adams, MA.  12x16 inches, oil on panel. 

Mohawk Marquee

The Mohawk marquee on Main Street, the fifth in a series of small paintings of North Adams, MA.  6x8 inches, oil on gessobord. 

Chance Of Sun

Yesterday there was a chance of occasional sunshine, so I took the chance.  When the sun did come, I jumped for it.  The clouds only contributed to the composition.  I need to do a larger horizontal painting of this view to include the tracks on the left.  9x12 inches, oil on panel.

ENNA JETTICK

The fourth in a series of small paintings of North Adams, MA: this old building is found on Eagle Street.  The faded words advertise a shoe brand called ENNA JETTICK.  6x8 inches, oil on gessobord.

By The Railroad Tracks

For this painting, in North Adams, MA, by the railroad tracks, I skipped the drawing and began painting immediately because the shadow was changing so fast.  Next time I'll make a quick drawing and rely upon it also.  The truck appeared near the end, but I'm glad I put it in.  9x12 inches, oil on panel. 

Blackinton Houses

 Houses in Blackinton section of North Adams, MA.  6x8 inches, oil on gessobord.  

Training

Working in a shady spot, I painted the primary side of the stationary caboose and box car yesterday afternoon at Western Gateway Heritage State Park in North Adams, MA. 9x12 inches, oil on panel, charcoal on paper.

Working In The Shadows

As the preparatory drawing reveals, I wanted to work in the shadows, and I put a lot on my plate. The flying diagonals enliven the permanently parked train.  Heritage Park, North Adams, MA. 9x12 inches, oil on panel, charcoal on paper.

Sits Snugly

Somewhere where River Street become Massachusetts Avenue in North Adams, MA this house sits snugly against the woods, like a house in an Edward Hopper painting.  6x8 inches, oil on panel.

A Found Composition

Most often I stumble into a composition, but it was a few days ago when I saw this composition: the church tower on the left acting as a repoussoir to push your eye downtown in North Adams, MA, and the vertical with the tree line edge emulating in reverse the right vertical with the building top edge.  Also the parallels of the curb and the yellow line and the tree/building top line are nice too.   9x12 inches, oil on panel, charcoal pencil on paper.

MOCA Tower

A view of the MOCA tower from across River Street in North Adams, MA.  6x8 inches, oil on panel.

Standing Still

My goal is to paint different places in North Adams, MA this year but so far I haven't been able to get away from the space around the library: when you start looking, standing still in just in one spot, there are so many things to paint.  12x16 inches, oil on panel.

East Main II

Here's a larger version of the view of East Main Street in North Adams, MA.  12x16 inches, oil on panel.

First Thing

The first thing I do, after getting home from painting outside, is pop the painting out of the panel carrier, put it on the easel, and look at it.  It's going to live indoors from now on so this is important.  I was told once, that a painting done well, will look good in the dim light of a closet. 

East Main

A view of East Main Street, North Adams, MA.  I tried to simplify a complicated jumble of peaks, points and shadows.  Next I'll try a slightly larger version.  9x12 inches, oil on panel, charcoal pencil on paper.

 

On The Edge of Winter

 Church Street, North Adams, MA.  Both 9x12 inches, oil on panel, charcoal pencil on paper.

Ch-Ch-Changes

 Even the appearance of Jack's in North Adams, MA changes over time.  9x12 inches, oil on panel.

Melding Spot

A larger painting of a familiar location in North Adams, MA, the intersection of Eagle Street and Church Street with the Flatiron Building.  The city easily melds into the mountains.  16x20 inches, oil on panel.

Going To Jack's

 A couple years ago I was drawing on the side of a dirt road in Williamstown, MA.  A car filled with older women pulled up behind me.  The driver wanted to see what I was doing, and get reassured about the road they were on. Their navigational system must have put them on this road as the most direct route to North Adams.  I reassured them, and gave them directions.  They were going to Jack's!  9x12 inches, oil on panel.

Paint On A Panel

It was supposed to be sunny, so I went out to paint in North Adams, MA. anyway.  First I did a small sketch, followed by putting some paint on a panel.   9x12 inches, oil on panel.  

Back In Time

Fortunately, I have a time machine in my studio, so I was able to go back in time to paint this one. The Mohawk Bar and St. Francis of Assisi Church are memories.  9x12 inches, oil on panel.