Thursday, August 9, 2012

Painting Roadside Americana- Vintage Neon

Shell Beach Inn   8X10 Oil on Masonite

I haven't been getting a lot of painting time in lately, and have been painting in spurts instead.  I am trying to alternate between oils and watercolors when I do have time.  This week is an oil painting week.  I just got a great package of  art supplies in the mail- including a stack of masonite panels.  I love to paint on masonite since the paint just glides over the surface and it makes it easier to get those fine details.  Canvas is great, but the texture can make it tough to paint the smaller details.

I am not sure when it happened, but most of the great neon signs that we used to see along the roadside are just gone.  I have become a bit obsessed with these retro neon signs and take photos of them whenever I do see them.  They are my kind of painting subject- full of great detail and history.  Sometimes, the more beat up they look, the better.  This one is great looking, and far from worn out- maybe it isn't even that old.  Don't care- love the look.  

The Shell Beach Inn is in beautiful Pismo Beach, California.  I have not stayed there, but love the sign. We spent Fourth of July in Pismo and had a great time so this seemed like a good place to start painting my set of neon signs!  I apologize for the image quality here, the painting is too wet to scan yet, and this is just a photo.  Will post the scan soon!  

12 comments:

  1. It's perfect! And such a unique, fun composition! Where is that beach? My son just moved to BAkersfield, and my husband and I have been thinking of renting a house along the California coast for a few weeks this winter so we can visit with him.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi, Katherine! Pismo Beach is near San Luis Obispo- a few hours from Bakersfield. Not that far, and believe me, a welcome temperature change from Bakersfield!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks, Gretchen! I haven't really been keeping up with posts lately, but am trying to get back into a routine!

    ReplyDelete
  4. So fun to see your image of the neon sign in Pismo Beach. They do have a certain charm to them and your painting of this one really gets that across. I think it is a great idea for you to do a series of these!
    P.S. I love Pismo and the surrounding area!
    So nice to see you posting again. I've been a bit lax lately myself.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hey Mermaid- thanks for your comment on my DPW interview.I checked out your blog and was surprised to see you and I both posted a vintage sign painting on the 9th! I'm with you...old neon signs are way cool! Refreshing blog too!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Very nice, Sheryl! I love neon signs, too. Fancy that in Las Vegas:)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Claire- thanks! It was fun and I am already working on some more to go with it.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you so much, Brian! I love your work and see that we share some of the same ideas on painting subjects. I went to your blog and am now following.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks, Candy! You have that neon graveyard somewhere in your neighborhood (well, you know- your city) too!

    ReplyDelete
  10. This painting is lovely too. I enjoy the subjects you choose... and the fact that you often work in series. I remember the series you did on wine corks... loved them!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks, Teresa! I do like to get into a series when I find a painting subject that's fun to me!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for your comments- I love to hear what you think!