Spencer’s Grill, Kirkwood Missouri, est. 1947
The good news today was that the aunts are going to be just fine. After only 4 1/2 hours sleep last night, I decided I needed to nap this afternoon if I had any hopes of finishing this painting today. I’m glad I did. Sleeping from 2:00 until 4:00, I rose and resumed work on this in the garage (my Man-Cave!) with a beautiful afternoon Texas sun shining in the open door. The light was exquisite for working on this painting. Once it got dark, the winter temperatures plummeted, and I was forced to lower the door and continue work under house lights (I hate that!). But . . . I did not want to tinker with this another day. So . . . here it is . . . signed and out of my hands!
Tomorrow I plan to take it to the Weiler House Fine Arts Gallery (http://www.weilerhousefineart.com/#home). I already have my next watercolor composition lined up, and I just may get after it tonight–I’m in the mood.
I’m grateful for the companionship I felt from the Voices and Visions video documentaries of Walt Whitman and William Carlos Williams. What fabulous poets! What vision! I felt a particular connection to them as they painted the American scene in penetrating words, as I hope to do some day with watercolor. Both men were driven by wanderlust as they traversed the American landscape, both urban and rural. And though I don’t look at the TV while painting, I could certainly see these poets’ images in my mind’s eye as I continually sought to refine my own. I still hear Williams’ voice in my conscience: “No ideas but in things!”
Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoy this one.
Tags: Americana, bar, cafe, Christmas, coffee, drybrush, Edward Hopper, grill, Jack Kerouac, Kerouac, Midwest, Missouri, nostalgia, On the Road, Our Town, Proust, Remembrance of Things Past, road trip, Route 66, St. Louis, Walt Whitman, watercolor, William Carlos Williams
March 6, 2011 at 7:34 am |
Lovely post, beautiful painting. Your use of light is rivaled by none! A great artist moved by other great artists– moves other great artists. Thank you for sharing this.
LikeLike
March 6, 2011 at 8:29 am |
Thanks for the kind sentiments, Stacy. I’m up kind of early this Sunday morning, and think I’ll return to the Cave and see what I can do next (and listen to some more WW and WCW!). I hope you’re finding bliss to write this weekend.
LikeLike