Driving home yesterday I realized that several of my works have been inspired by scenes seen through my car window.
For some time now I have been fascinated with one median in particular-- a narrow strip with a high hill that serves as an observation platform for state troopers. There is almost always a cruiser up there hiding in a semi-circle of trees, ready to fly down the luge-like gravel service road that exits to both sides of the freeway. Never mind the police, though-- the perspective of that narrow hill framed against the sky as you approach it with its curious curve of trees makes for a compelling composition.
I do mean to paint it one day. In the meantime I study the scene every day. And, well, like most of the work I consider my "best", the actual painting of it has occurred only after long study and contemplation. So we shall see.
My 2017 painting "The Turning" is actually inspired from a nicely planned and planted exit ramp that I also pass nearly everyday. You don't notice it much during the spring or summer, but at the start of autumn the scene begins to light up nicely. These things aren't always arbitrary; and I appreciate the work of a competent landscape architect. Back in the day --when I was more solvent-- I did a lot of gardening, and have said before that it is very similar to painting. As a landscape artist, I am all for all scenes natural, but even in that endeavor there is a great deal of manipulation. So I take no issue with a nicely designed corporate campus or even a golf course for that matter.
"Slope in Autumn" is another 'as seen through a car window' work. It is the steep slope of a local reservoir framed head-on as you drive through a curve before getting onto its long bridge. In high autumn, this hill lights up in spectacular monochromatic yellow. Although I like this painting, I don't think I truly captured its glory. Maybe I will try again this year.
And speaking of the local reservoir, a recent work in progress, "Sunrise over the Reservoir" is also a car window painting. My commute is early and pre-dawn. For half the year the drive is dark, but now in spring and summer a very early light often offers up a stunning and garish red --like the afterglow of some distant apocalyptic event-- and clouds of deep purples and blues.
"Exit 22" is an early work on Panel that was inspired by another highway median. Maybe it proved to be prophetic as I used to turn my head and stare at this spot every time I passed it, and then several years later was involved in a pretty spectacular accident with a tractor trailer there. And now years later it is the exit I take for work. So there that is.
"Lake 2", one of my recent small paintings, is also a drive-by scene in my hometown. I mentioned landscape architects, and it so happens that Frederick Law Olmsted, considered the father of landscape architecture and co-designer of Central Park, had a hand in the town's planning and layout. As a result there is no standard grid pattern to the streets, but rather meandering lanes that were specifically designed for nice scenery.
"Power" is an early painting of mine inspired by the view of the Kearny Generating Station as seen from The Pulaski Skyway. This is cliche New Jersey; "Soprano" New Jersey (if you are familiar with the opening footage to that show) , with ad nauseam jokes about the "irony" of The Garden State. But this industrial terrain jutting up through meadowlands and swamps has its own fantastic beauty too, thank you very much. And if I need to go into the City I take the train just to marvel at it. That's another potential series of work.
About a year ago I posted a work-in-progress photo called "Morning Commute". Two followers actually commented that the title had a negative connotation and maybe I should change it. And during my commute yesterday I was listening to a radio program about a New Jersey transplant from Brooklyn who was suddenly becoming "famous" with his humorous New Jersey Transit live-stream posts. His basic message was 'make the most of the commute'. Yes. There is some good stuff to be had.
"The Turning" Prints and other imaged merchandise