Dark Bus
I was driving around just below Lincoln Heights in the LA River industrial area taking sunset and nocturnal photos. I was done for the night when I drove past this creepy bus. I kept going for a few blocks and then cursing to myself because the image wouldn't let me go home yet, I went back an shot a quick photo of it. I ending up cropping it to close to the left and did the same in the painting. I framed it in a dark frame, it think that helps it breathe. I went very thin with the oil paint on wood 16x24.
posted by william wray at 10:08 PM
60 Comments:
That literally took my breath away when I saw it.
You nailed it!
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
hanks Leslie, the bus it's self did the same to me. Do you know the George Billis gallery? I think you would like some of his artist's.
WOW!
You are right-lots of good work in George Billis' galleries! Thanks for the link. Back to "Dark Bus" -one of the (many) great things about it is the implied story because the setting is so dramatic. I have visions of psych. prison inmates using it as a getaway vehicle...Dark Bus, please don't stop in my neighborhood!
I think this is a really nice painting. It's kind of creepy.
yes if you wake up on the dark bus, your going to prison or to hell. ;-)
I love that despite the bleakness surrounding it, there's still some life (or maybe the memory of motion) in it that makes me think you could just get in and start it right up. Don't, though.
damn nice. i love it.
I dunno. i think your paintings are beautiful and could be considered feminine AND masculine.
I love the washy look of this Bill, it was a very effective approach to the light between the buildings.
You sure got the creepy mood thing going too.
I think the rag strokes contribute the the movement feeling BG. But yeah don't start it.
thanks Art.
Marlo, I do have a soft side. I like pretty flowers, salads and riding horses naked.
TH said...
I love the washy look of this Bill, it was a very effective approach to the light between the buildings.
Buildings? ;-)
WOW - that is great, Bill.
Aren't those buildings in the background? Boy, sorry if I am not seeing it correctly-I blame it on the computer image, not my aging eyes or brain:-)
wow, this is one is _really_ nice! super-cool!
thanks Jeff,
If I was smart I'd to twenty in the same style.
Nice work. I love finding oil painting in the blogs, and these are very well done.
You could get über creepy and do some Chinese Death Vans as part of your series....nice job!
i love it.
thanks Jakob.
thanks Dave your work is a real find... Well done.
Hey AW,
What are Chinese Death vans?
thanbks Alberto , I love your work too.
You must really enjoy painting to risk the Chinese Death Vans. Seriously, I want to know too! I'm thinking I must live a very sheltered life.
Whoa- Nice one- this has a very new and different feeling from the rest of your paintings, whatever it was- Ill be looking out for more of it. Good luck with the show.
I hear you Bill... I somehow keep forgetting to repeat my earlier successes :)
WOW! beautiful!
Very impressive!
Beautiful work, Bill!! Your color is just amazing. (I'm in Florida, and found your blog through NZ artist Lesley Finn's blog.)
I really like your work, especially the moody ones like this bus and the sunset silhouettes. You've got a great sense of light and colour.
Fantastic painting, I really like the palette you used on this, and the story that went with it. Thanks for the inspiration!
How you can paint a dramatic, eerie bus is beyond me... That could easily be a Stephen King book cover.
Terrific piece.
That bus looks like a big drop of molten metal is about to fall on it!
I really enjoy paintings of yours where a limited palette is used (like this one).
Bill, do you ever wander down into the LA River's actual riverbed, where it's paved with concrete?
dude...you can paint...beautiful work...inspiring to say the least
nice one B
you coming to LFLDW tonight? i have $ for you baby
Moody and dark, but there is something very spiritual about the light.
Very nice William.
The death van is an inconspicuous blue-and-white police vehicle that parks near the courtroom when its services are required by the Chinese judicial system. It's a mobile death penalty bus. I work for the media that's how I know this...
Hey enb, Wish you could come out your only 2-3 hours away. ;-)
Hey Martha,
Thanks for stopping by. It's gratifying when artists comment positively, but when Abstract artists do, I really think I'm getting somewhere.
thanks Vivien, I'm embracing the dark side,
Your welcome Ryan, use me anytime. ;-) I like your digital cartoon style keep it up!
Hey Dan,
Drive about in industrial neighborhoods at night and you will find plenty of scary subjects.
Glam I'm down there often. I have a La river painting from down there in an early bolg.
that Jert, Nice c work you do...
This is an absolutely amazing painting.
Hey Miles sorry I've been a bit flaky. Getting ready for the show and another big project to finish up before I go.
thanks Robin.
I've been following your blog and I think this is my favorite Bill Wray painting ever.
The mood and composition is just ... better left unsaid.
Thanks Felix,
I hope I can follow it up soon.
WOW!! Nice gritty/seedy/city-like colors!! I like this one a lot! GOOD JOB
thanks Ryan!
thanks LP-- I like it too...
Powerful and mysterious painting. I especially like the light at the top. You are extremely talented and I look forward to seeing many more of your works.
thanks Liz you have to be in a certain mood to do these one's. can't fake it.
Bill,
"Dark Bus" is definitely a favorite. Great work.
I love this one. I don't think this is necessarily creepy at all... it just reminds me of being on a road trip late at night and pulling into some random town where everything is closed... and then maybe lurking around in residential areas peeking through windows and taking clothes off of people's clotheslines and smelling them. Nothing creepy about that.
Hi!
this painting is incredible...
mysterious atmosphere...
i like all your work!!! :)
Post a Comment
<< Home