Happy 100th Birthday 59th Street Bridge!

And this is the 100th entry on this blog!

"LIC #2/Laundry"
Oil on canvas
36 x 30 inches
Sold

100 years and the 59th Street Bridge is still standing, albeit under seemingly constant repair. I see the bridge from my studio window and it has shown up in paintings over the years. LIC/Laundry was painted in the 1980's and this view hasn't changed too much since then. I've walked over the bridge during the NYC blackouts, during the transit strikes and driven over it countless times. Growing up in Queens, it was "my" bridge, the magic carpet into Manhattan.


"LIC 59th Street Bridge"
Oil on canvas
8 x10 inches
Sold

And here's another painting of the bridge. Every so often I and the artist I share my studio with drive into Manhattan at the end of a painting day and we never cease to marvel at the skyline coming into view as we travel on the upper level of the bridge. It is usually sunset or twilight and the light from the west bathes the city with a shimmering ethereal light. I feel as if I am entering the "Emerald City" and my heart does a little jump - I never tire of this view.


LIC/59th Street Bridge Reflections"
Oil on canvas
36 x 30 inches

I continue to paint and be inspired by the Queensboro Bridge. My latest painting was done in 2008, reflections this time. A limited edition giclee print is available of this painting, click here for more info.

With this 100th posting I want to thank those readers who have followed my exploits as a New York City artist painting the New York that I know and love. Sometimes I put something up on the blog, it goes out into cyberspace and I wonder if anyone is looking. Then I receive an email or a comment and know that I'm reaching people with my art and it is very gratifying. I look forward to sharing more of my work with you and thanks again for reading.

Remembering Jayne

1950-2009

Today I share not a painting but a photo of a LIC friend who passed away a week ago today. Jayne was a long-time resident of the neighborhood and a talented photographer of it's changing scene for many years. She was also a 20+ year survivor of late stage lymphoma and beat the odds time and time again. Although she spent way too much time in hospitals and doctor's offices over the years, she also had many good days and kept busy and creative with her photography. Some of her work can be seen in the book , "Still Life: Documenting Cancer Survivorship", printed in conjunction with a documentary photography workshop held at the Creative Center in NYC a few years ago. I'll miss ya Jayne.


The Creative Center

Long Island City, NY Painting Series

Books now available - LIC from 1982-2008


Click here for info

L.I.Changing • Volume I features 32 paintings, done between 1982-2006 of the Long Island City, NY neighborhood where my studio is located. Many of the scenes have changed or disappeared, some are still to be found.



Click here for info

L.I.Changing • Volume II features 28 paintings done in the course of one year - late 2007-late 2008. I was inspired to do a new series of paintings of the area when I saw how dramatically the neighborhood was changing due to a huge burst of development as well as the disappearance of many manufacturers and businesses in the area. I tried to capture a bit of the history of the neighborhood, as a valentine for the old-timers and a primer for the newcomers.

These soft-cover books measure 8x6 inches and are printed on glossy paper. Visit The Florin Collection to order.

CLWAC 2009 Members Exhibition

March 17 - April 5, 2009

"Chinatown Window"
Oil on canvas
12 x 12 inches

Just wanted to let you know that The Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club is holding their annual members exhibition from March 17 - April 5 at the Broome Street Gallery in Soho. In addition, an interesting and informative article on the founder of the club is featured in this months issue of Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine. A very wealthy woman at the turn of the century, Catharine Lorillard Wolfe was one of the founding members of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the sole woman member, and her notable art collection is among the treasures to be found on the museum's walls. She also founded this art club for women artists which continues to this day. I've chosen "Chinatown Window" to exhibit. The reception will be held on Sunday, March 22 from 1-3 pm. If you are in the neighborhood, feel free to stop in to see the show.

45th Road Courthouse Square

Cha cha cha changes

"LIC/Strong Triangle"
Oil on canvas
15 x 30 inches

I passed by this corner yesterday and the scene differs dramatically from the painting. The area is now a construction site with work being done on the #7 Flushing Line. The staircase has been dismantled and moved to the other side of the street. The greenery of the Strong Triangle has all but disappeared and the Court Square Diner has a bright new facade. Back in the '80's I would stop into the diner every so often would see the artist Romare Bearden there. His studio was in the neighborhood back then. This scene represents a microcosm of the LIC neighborhood - a diner, P.S. 1 (or Number One as the oldtimer's would say), the #7 train, construction...yep, life in the 'hood.