Sketches: New Year's Eve on Subway

 

Had to do some shopping today. Grabbed a few sketches. Here are two of them.



Sketch: Another Day in Paradise

Yesterday morning I went to Gantry Plaza State Park to paint, by the East River Ferry across from the United Nations Building. Unfortunately, when I was setting up, I realized that I dropped a nut off the easel leg somewhere in the subway, so I tried to make do  with the railing which gave the easel a little support. Shortly after I blocked in large chunks of color, I saw dark clouds came from behind the Queens Bridge. Immediately it got windy. I realized I could not go on any more. Not just because it was hard to paint or hold my palette which I learned my lesson and used clips to hold it to the easel. The problem was the easel was falling apart. Therefore, I had to call it a day.

However, there was an interlude during painting. A young girl wearing wedding gown and her groom to be came to the Park with a group of camera crew to shoot wedding pictures. Nice, with the whole Manhattan behind them as background, I thought to myself. Then the bride suddenly came over to ask me, "Do you mind?" I thought she was asking me to move my site, so I said no because I had started my painting and could not change my view. The camera man quickly cut in and explained, "They'd like to use you as part of the natural environmental background." "Of course not," I responded, "if they don't mind the fact this make-shift best man is not very presentable." Everyone laughed. Therefore, the young couple began to kiss each other behind me as a pose for the camera. Whether it was a kind of humor that lovers caressed like crazy in contrast of my indifference while concentrating only on my painting, I don't know.  One thing is for sure. I guess they could have survived the cold of Antarctic in this moment of their life, even dressed like they were.

On my way home fruitlessly, I drew a few sketches on subway. One of them happened to be a female homeless, which reminded me of Phi Collins' "Another Day in Paradise." If you don't remember the song, I attached the youtube link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiUQE5bJKFU



Today's Sketches

 Two Jewish Boys on Subway

 

Four Passengers on Subway



Today's Sketches: Readers at Library



Alla Prima: Grand Central Terminal (Oil, 20 x 16)

 

When I passed by the Grand Central Station, I was so impressed by the architecture in the short-lived winter afternoon sun which came through the crack of a side street. It had the effect of theatrical stage. the blurred image of the lit part was also reflected in the high-rise mirror-like side. Fascinating!



Recent Sketches

This afternoon, we went to see an old friend and on our way to and back from the visit, I made the following sketches.

 Necking on Subway

 

 Waiting for the Train

 

 In His World

 

 Two Passengers on E Train

 

Subway



En Plein Air: Water Tank One on Audley Street, Kew Gardens, NY

 

It was warmer today. So I pulled my painting kit walking toward a busy shopping street  near where I lived. I found the spot a few days ago. However, when I got there this morning, the view, mainly the lighting, was not as good as what I saw in the afternoon several days ago. Therefore, I decided to paint something else for now. I turned into Audley St. and there loomed the huge water tank on top of the hill. With the slope, it looked good, so I decided to paint it in the morning sun. Shortly after I began, I saw two or three guys waving to me smilingly across from the street near the tank. They came over and told me that they were going to tear down this tank, one of the oldest in the region, if not in New York City. Obviously they were from the water company. I responded with a smile, "Hope not today." They said not today. I said, "Then, it seems I caught it in my painting just in time." They nodded yes.