Last Saturday's plein air paint-out was at Oaklawn Bridge in South Pasadena. This is a beautiful and interesting bridge. It was designed in 1906 by architects Charles and Henry Greene, their only bridge project. The bridge was built to link the housing development on Oaklawn Avenue with the main street. It spanned the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe rail line and the Cycleway. Today the rail line is for the light rail Gold Line. One of my photos below was shot from on top of the pedestrian bridge of a Gold Line train. There was a great view from the bridge but I couldn't find any shade for painting. An umbrella someday.
The graceful concrete bridge was a difficult subject for me to find good view to paint. Unfortunately, there is a busy parking lot, a large building, and South Pasadena's Rose Parade float headquarters located right at the bridge. Volunteers were at work dismantling the parade float and I considered painting them. I finally found a view I liked and I think the piece went well. As always, it was a fun morning painting with friends.
Not an easy subject to paint, sherry. Very dynamic composition, though. Sounds like a busy but unusual spot to paint.
ReplyDeleteHi Maggie! I think you're right, a more dynamic view than I usually find.
DeleteYour composition choices in what to paint and what to leave out are spot on and you render a well constructed piece each and every time Sherry so your hard work and commitment to plein air painting has really paid off
ReplyDeleteLorraine, thank you for such a generous observation! So kind of you! I do think I'm improving and as you know, painting more helps with lots of problems.
DeleteGracias Ina!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorites of yours, Sherry. I think your painting totally romanticizes the photo (and I mean that in the very best way), and shares your glimpse of the world. It is truly wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThanks Terry, I always love your comments. This seemed kind of frustrating at the time, having a hard time finding a view, but it looked better the next day.
DeleteI stopped by to tell you how much I like your Isle of Man painting at VP - it's like a party for the eyes - but I think I like this Oaklawn Bridge piece even more.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by! And such a nice comment! The VP is so much fun and I'm trying to finish another piece for this month.
DeleteSherry, thank you for posting your photographic references with your paintings. It's interesting to try to figure out how you got from one to the other. I really admire your strong sense of design.
ReplyDeleteThank you Janell! Sometimes I wonder if posting the photo of my general view is good or not but I like to take the photos so much that I go ahead and post them.
Delete