Painting L.A. Gritty Business July 23, 2011

Points of Light, Skidrow

Laying in the Motif

Painting on location, en plein air, at night, is already fraught with challenges; on this night we'd found an extremely incredible motif, to which we were abruptly kicked out, and prevented from painting. Fortunately for us we were permitted to paint from the hotel rooftop next door, overlooking Skidrow. but the guard limited us to only one hour painting time.

We had to make quick decisions; set up our gear, and paint, all within that one hour window.  It was good practice, I guess, to produce a painting this way.

I made a decision on my motif, began to sketch it in, and lay in the masses. I chose one solitary light reflecting down on a rooftop, as my focal
point. just as I started to lay in the masses, the light went out. Now I had to make a decision to continue and work from memory, Or forget painting that night. I chose the former.

www.thomasvanstein.net
Photos: T.Van Stein

Above the Fray in Gritty L.A. July 22, 2011

All was going better than expected. The View from the Santa Fe was extraordinary. The top photo shows C. Burt and Erdy looking out onto the view we were all planning to capture in a few more moments. The Security Guard However, was kind enough to prevent us from creating anything from this  roof. Instead, he  escorted us to the building rooftop, next door. which was safer because it had a security railing to prevent jumpers. Also, he gave us only one hour to paint before the roof top would be closed.

Photos by T. Van Stein
www.thomasvanstein.net

Well, the view wasn't as appealing as this view seen above, but I found something I would try to make out of the jumbled mess below, (Skidrow) We quickly set up and got to work.

Rooftop with a View July 21, 2011

We made our way to the roof top of the Sante Fe Building, in Downtown Los Angeles. The views were spectacular. Way better than on top of the Security Building.

Excitedly, we just started to plan out our compositions for the evenings' paintings, when we were interrupted by the Hotel's security who clamored up stairs and arrived on the rooftop huffing and puffing,  and in a tiff.




 Photo: T. Van Stein
www.thomasvanstein.net

Painting L.A. Grit, Waxing Half Moon Flag July 20, 2011

A subtle moon aloft at night, a broad brimmed cornice  aspiring height, we seek again inspiring light  high above the Skidrow blight.

Painting L.A. Grit. Day Turns to Night July 19, 2011

Light Falls, then Night Falls. I spied this brilliantly designed Art Deco bridge spanning the nearby L.A. River. I wondered what it would look like at night.

Night time brings Chiaroscuro and ideas for potential motif! I say this because i may never paint this subject, but it was worth checking out as a study, were I to paint it in the future.

Painting L.A. Grit: Stained Glass Bottle Fodder at Villains Tavern July 18, 2011

I felt like a kid in a candy shop. I wondered what flavors they were?

I imagined, if they were alive today, Louis Comfort Tiffany and John la Farge would be quite bemused to sit down at Villains Tavern; have a drink or two and gaze in amazement at the shelves stacked brightly with illuminated bottles of colored glass. Reds, oranges, yellows, greens and blues... all sparkling hues.

We had people in costume, good cheer and chatter; all made for a lively combination platter. But enough of this atmosphere, and  ambiance,  it was time to go do our night painting dance.

Images: T. Van Stein
www.thomasvanstein.net

Painting L.A.: Art Deco at Villan's Tavern July 17, 2011

Welcome, Villain!

Art Deco Goldilocks

Looks like a movie prop of Flemish Masterwork.  A Franz Hals knock-off maybe, or one of the Three Musketeers painted by Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonier.  Alex De Andreis is also a possibility.  

The Musketeer by Alex C Andreis

C.Burt, Erdy, and I walked into this bar called, "Villains Tavern" near the L.A. River.  I thought we'd entered the Twilight Zone because the bar was adorned with 16th through 20th Century decor, and most of the Tavernees were dressed in 1930's era costume!   Now, being that I worked for a year, in films (but only as an extra), I assumed they were actors taking a break from working on location at the studio next door.

It turns out that serendipity was in play;  we'd crashed into  the monthly meeting of the ART DECO SOCIETY of LOS ANGELES. 

We'd entered the world of MAKE BELIEVE! One beer wasn't going to be strong enough for this environment.


www.thomasvanstein.net