paintings > street lights
|
|
This series of monochromatic, black and white street lights came about at a time when I was deeply entrenched in experimenting with materials and techniques. The Great Recession was in full-swing and life was full of grit, determination and beauty (where you could find it). I had started to draw street lamps in color, but my color palette began to feel inappropriate.
For this version of my 5th and Main street light painting, I worked from photographs I had taken while wandering the streets of Downtown Los Angeles. This light stood out to me because it's one of a few that focuses its light down. At night, it keeps the height of the city skyline compressed and makes the world smaller, more personal. I sprayed atomized ink over a hand-cut stencil and then applied silver leaf to large swaths of the drawing. To achieve the mid tones, I applied gunpowder and burned it off. The result was a painting both glowing and gritty. Fun and messy. Just like life was at that time.
12K gold leaf halos top off this painting - my Los Angeles angels, glowing in the darkness.