Chester and Green St.
This is the Corner of Chester and Green in Pasadena. Seems obvious this was a little gas station back in the day. I knew it as a Taco stand for many years. Now it's just been nicely painted over and is being used to sell a little Karmann Ghia. I assume the owners can't quite decide what to do with it. It's maintained, but not used. It's been like this so long it will be a shock if they sell the car. I love how it's all painted white and the whole scene feels "made" for a painting, no adjustments necessary.
oil on wood 15 &1/2 x 15 &1/2
posted by william wray at 1:33 PM
26 Comments:
That place is just down the street from Hussar's studio.
I like how you handled painting the little white building... it can be a tricky color to handle correctly, gets easily chalky. The red car is a nice touch.
Way to simplify. Beautiful!
Bill, you really capture the arid bleakness of the LA suburbs. Th light...the look of the air...I don't have the vocabulary to describe it but you've said it all with your paintings. Love the looseness (who wants "photo"realism) and energy of your brushwork. Thanks for posting these! --Sherm
I love the shadows on the tree!
I really like the way you painted the palm tree. I know how easy it is to tighten up with all the palm frawns... really nicely simplified!
Cool piece.
Ditto the rest. Great light and space.
Another solid pound of painting perfection. The composition is just so damn good!
Your best painting I think, or at least my fave. Great feeling in this, texture, color, composition-- I'd ask to buy it but I just paid my taxes :-(
Though I have never been there, your paintings of LA seem to capture the heat, air, grit, and soul. This piece, and the last three, are wonderful compositions. I like the dynamic between the palm and VW here.
Great!-Cooper
William, it is always stunning to see how you paint the different objects, the palm tree especially. It must be such a specific light at LA, that is so different from ours here in Yurop.
BTW, there is something for you on my blog. ;-)
Thanks for the comment, Bill. I love your painting, especially the mood, looking forward to seeing more great paintings :)
Fabulous, searing sense of daylight Bill. It certainly does look like an old gas station of some sort. I love these type of trees.. and you've done an awesome job capturing it. Do you think they would grow up here in Canukistan?
This is lovely, Bill. Looks like it is a diorama arranged just for you to capture in paint.
The big tree paint, are fantastic!
Hey Tony-- You have been in a world I never got the please to see... Mike is a master.
thanks Joe!
Sherm! So gald you could stop by, get to see you at nick after lo so many seasons.
thaks bG you awlays like me sweet spot.
thanbks Eric-- i don't have a formula for them yet. Palms are so endless in the way you can approach them.
Thanks C!
Sombody stole Dan and made his brain nice. So sad. Where is the hate Dan?
Good one.Especially the color combinations.....
Been a while since I popped on here! WOW. Your work is inspiring and also sorta makes me wanna just cash in my chips. WOW.
Just leaving another comment among the masses. I found you by way of Drawn and it was one of the most exciting discoveries in a while for me. I really love the way you paint, there's a strength and bravery to it that I want to learn for myself.
This image in particular is great because it feels warm, completely silent and stunningly boring which ironically makes the image exciting. I love your work and I want more of it. Looking forward to it
-Ciaran
I am the owner of the old gas station. Love the painting. How can I get a copy. Nice touch leaving the ghia in. Yes and its still for sale. Anyone interested. William please get in touch with me. rugboards@verizon.net
Hi William;
I realize you posted this nine months ago, but I linked to it today.
I have a photo blog at http://pasadenadailyphoto.blogspot.com/
I posted a photo of this building today. When I googled the location, your post was the first (and only) thing that came up.
I'm glad it did. I've been rambling all over both your blogs and enjoying the hell out of them.
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