Tick Tock Diner - Clifton, New Jersey

2nd stage of underpainting complete.

I forgot to add a link to my friend Stephen Magsig's blog on my last post, so here it is.  If you have time please check out his blog.  He posted a nice little blurb about our afternoon in NYC.  I highly recommend bidding on his work on ebay.  I don't know how much longer he will be offering up small paintings at $100,  so I know I'll be trying to obtain as many as I can afford.

http://myartspage.blogspot.com/2008/05/chelsea-detail.html

NYC visit with Stephen Magsig

I just had the incredible good fortune to meet

and spend the afternoon with an Artist whom I respect and admire tremendously, Stephen

Magsig.  We spent a little time at his loft

on Broome St. in SoHo, where I was able to see

some of his little masterpieces that are 

being auctioned on Ebay.  (I own 7 of these

gems now, and counting...)

After a bit of shop talk, we went out, cameras in hand for some subject matter 

searching.  I had so much fun running around the streets of Manhattan looking for interesting

things to paint with someone who sees 

pretty much the same way I do.  Neon signs, building facades, city reflections in windows

etc, etc.....  I rarely find people who are on the same wavelength as I am, but Stephen and his wife

Janet Hamrick sure as heck are.  Thanks

so much, both of you for being so kind and generous with your time.  I had a wonderful time

and will remember this forever.  It's days like this that I am so damn lucky to be an Artist!

South Beach, Miami, Florida

I just got in from Miami late last night from a 4 day bachelor party for my brother-in-law.  Perfect 90 degree sunny weather spent mostly on the beach.

I shot a bunch of these classic art deco hotels for a possible series of small paintings that I want to offer up for sale on ebay as soon as I finish the large New Jersey pieces.

I have to say that South Beach could possibly be one of the most decadent places that I have ever seen.  

First, I'm sitting on the beach early in the morning by myself while the rest of the boys were out playing golf after a long night of serious drinking and carousing.  I ended up dozing off in the blistering sun listening to the peaceful sound of the waves crashing onto the shore only to wake up some time later surrounded by hundreds of topless lesbians. Next, later in the day we all go back to the hotel pool bar for more cocktails and what do we see happening in the pool?  Some sex crazed naked woman having a grand old time with 4 guys from some other bachelor party in the water.  Needless to say, I didn't venture into that pool for the rest of our stay.  There had to be 20 people all around the deck of the pool watching this debacle unfold.  I was a bit uncomfortable watching this display, yet I couldn't turn away.  I've never seen anything like that in my life.  Lastly, yesterday morning I woke up early to go out for a nice peaceful walk in the beautiful Floridian sun and what do I see as soon as I turn the corner from the hotel?  A dead body that was lying in an alley.  Also something that I have never seen before.  I thought to myself after reflecting on the past few days' adventures.......you ain't in Kansas anymore, Dorothy!  

I hope you had a great time Dave, I know I sure did!  

Tick Tock Diner - Clifton, New Jersey

I painted all the neon tubing freehand.  If you compare the 2 jpegs, there is no initial underdrawing done on the neon whatsoever.  I don't want to sound cocky, but that amazes me. How am I able to do that without screwing up?  

I hope that I will have this skill for many years to come.  

I think I'm going to darken the sky at the top and let it get gradually lighter towards the bottom, thus creating an overhanging arch of sky framing the sign.